NEED TO KNOW

THE NEW BLACK

A fashion house producing a mobile phone brings to mind images of diamantine disasters, specially designed not to slip out of skinny hands or clash with poodles. Yet the recent union between Prada and LG has produced arguably the most exciting mobile phone of recent years, beating Apple’s iPhone to the punch to become the first completely touch screen mobile phone. Prada was apparently involved beyond mere aesthetics, contributing to ring tones, pre-loaded content and that eye-catching touch screen interface before stamping its brand on the front. The phone dispenses with buttons altogether, controlled instead via icons that glow on the touch screen and disappear when not in use to leave a sleek black exterior. Costs from €600 (£400) www.lgpradaphone.com

BACK TO NATURE

Get closer to your garden with this log cabin/potting shed hybrid from German furniture designers Moormann. Named Walden after Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 book of the same name, the shed shares Thoreau’s experimentation with simple living by placing basic living quarters within the wooden structure and incorporating space for such pastoral essentials as a wheelbarrow, watering can and bird box. A snug table and seating area forms the centre of Walden, with a swinging “fire cauldron” for food and warmth, and even space for a bed on the top level complete with a sliding Perspex roof for stargazing. The whole structure can be delivered flat packed and assembled on site, the expert craftsmanship reminiscent of fellow German prefabricated house builders Huf Haus. Costs €39,500 (£26,000), delivery costs vary. www.moormann.de

STREET SMART

Look at the pavements in any European street and you’ll see the ugly remains of chewing gum splodges and cigarette ends littering the ground. The handy little Gum 'n’ Asbag is hoping to tackle this unsightly problem in the Netherlands, providing a neat marketing solution into the bargain. The smart pouches are designed to hold used chewing gum and cigarette ends in a sealed compartment to keep smells and stickiness in until a bin can be found. The first company to make use of Gum 'n’ Asbag was the prestigious Banks Mansion Hotel, which gave the bags out to all of its guests, and it is set to be followed in late March by chewing gum firm Stimorol. An innovative solution to littering and a nice branding opportunity – watch out for Gum 'n’ Asbag spreading fast. www.gumnasbag.nl

HEAD WIND

A British company and a German artist working out of Holland are combining in an international effort that will create a whimsical piece of performance art. Setting out from east of the Philippines, Wipke Iwersen’s unmanned Windfinder vessel will sail the Pacific Ocean, heading into the wind in an attempt to find its source. The revolutionary technology to achieve this feat is being supplied by Proven Energy, the world’s leading small wind turbine manufacturer. It is hoped that the odd vessel will continue to sail into the wind for years to come, using the wind to turn a large turbine, which in turn connects to a propeller under the water and drives the vessel onwards. www.windvinder.nl

SHARE ALIKE

Classic car clubs, part-owned hotel rooms and timeshare holiday properties are just three examples of the increasingly popular concept of fractional ownership. With more people wanting the perks of the high life without the initial expenditure and the trouble of upkeep, it was only a matter of time until somebody decided to offer an entire fractional solution in one place. Bringing together all the usual goods and services along with part-ownership options on handbags, art, vineyards and other less obvious luxury treats, minimum spend varies widely from a few thousand for a share in a racehorse to a few million for some of the more exclusive options. www.fractionallife.com