Let's see...What can 300 thousand American dollars buy you? Well, lotsa PSPs, Wiis, and PS3s; a nice sports car; a decent home; a relaxing holiday getaway...and a cellphone. Huh? What?!

Yes, you read it right. Apparently cellphone maker and Nokia subsidiary, Vertu, is now taking orders for their latest contraption, Vertu's Signature Cobra. The Cobra isn't a new cellular technology that's going to revolutionize communication, it is a luxurious thingamajig encrusted with precious rocks by French jeweler, Boucheron. One pear-cut diamond, one round white diamond, two emerald eyes, and 439 rubies. Price tag - US$ 310,00.

Too expensive? Vertu is also coming up with an entry level Vertu phone called the Signature Python for the lower price of US$ 115, 000. Only eight stupid lucky people will be able to possess the Cobra phone, but there are others who could buy the cheaper variant. Does it have Bluetooth, Infrared, camera, or an mp3 player?

We don't think so. But then again, you have that bejewelled cobra right there, we're sure nobody would ask about its features.

The building you see before you is a sneak preview of Nokia's brand new flagship store in NYC - due to be opened on 09/09/06. The technology-filled store will set a precedent for Nokia stores all over the globe and they sure do mean it when they say that this store is hi-tech. It features color-shifting ambient lighting, apparently to reflect moods, but we're guessing that they would want people to be happy at all times when in their store (somehow changing the color to 'red' when there is a long queue won't sell more phones); There is also a huge wall of accessories and just about every single Nokia phone somewhere in the shop.

The technology reaches into the second floor as well, with LCD screens fitted behind phones that automatically give you a description and a list of features for the phone you have just picked up. Also, there is a limited third floor which is reserved just for the Vertu, Nokia's "designer" phone.

More images await after the jump!

So its been a busy few weeks for Nokia, they've released news of new forthcoming handsets, while at the same time had to deal with the release of some of its N-series handsets. In the past week, we in Europe have seen the N91 release, and after our post of the review for it, I decided to buy one myself.

Anyway, Nokia's recent press releases have included two basic handsets, one of which seems to take its inspiration from the LG Chocolate, or even Nokia's subsidiary, Vertu.

The basic model, the 1110i, is a simple 80g phone that boasts 5 hours talk time, and standby of up to 15 days. It will cost €45/£31/$57 + Tax. Like its predecessors, it has a mono-chrome display, and is dual band equipped. Remember this phone isn't meant to astound you with features, just provide something for those infrequent users.

What seems to be its older brother, appears to have been taken to town on its looks. It has an unusually black and gold appearance, something that makes many feel it got its looks off the LG Chocolate or its much fancier relative, the Vertu range. Its called the 6080 and is triband equipped. It handles 65'536 colours on a 128 X 160 display. It'll weigh 91g and is mainly aimed at sales in Asia. Smaller details include a blinking light to indicate missed calls and messages. Battery life lasts 3.5 hours for talking, and up to 12 days in standby. Music wise it has a MP3 player and built in radio. Its price will be around the €180/£123/$228 mark, and is expected to ship in Q4.