If you’re in the market for a swanky new car dock for your new BlackBerry, look no further than the Jaguar XJ – the world’s most expensive smartphone dock with a price tag of £80k.

Jaguar’s new luxury smartphone dock will link to your BlackBerry, allowing drivers to access navigation, voice calls, music and specially designed car apps.

If you plug your smartphone into the XJ via a USB cable, the BlackBerry’s screen appears on the car’s central display.

For on-road safety reasons however, you can only access your phone’s complete functionality when stationary.

Those interested in the new technology can expect to see bespoke apps for the XJ in late 2012, when this next gen prototype technology becomes available.

And, because the BlackBerry Bold 9900 has NFC technology, your phone could even become your car key, providing keyless entry as typically featured in other luxury cars.

What’s in a number? Ask fans of LOST and they’ll be able to recite ‘the numbers’. Many Americans know their Social Security Code by heart. And just ask the residents of Beverly Hills California – scratch that – ask anyone who has never been to Beverly Hills and ask them what the Zip code is, and most likely you’ll get a resounding 90210.

Zip codes can denote wealth and status just as well as a rich person’s tax returns – so we’ve compiled the most expensive Zip codes in America just for your pleasure and resentment.

91008 – DUARTE, CALIFORNIA

Sorry 90210. Despite being ranked #6 in the nation by Forbes, California’s a big state so you have plenty of contenders to deal with. Yet none are as expensive as Duarte, California, also in Los Angeles, which features more multi-millions dollar homes on the real estate market than you can shake a Gucci bag at.  Who lives there? Actors, directors, moguls, you name it – all with enough coin to pony up a median range of $4 Million for a home. Sadly, the name isn’t as catchy as BH is it?

10014  – NEW YORK, NEW YORK

First, let us be honest.  Six out of the top ten most expensive Zip codes actually exist in California.  Two are in New York City.  The more expensive of the two pretty much encompasses the neighborhood known as the West Village.  Home to Magnolia Bakery, too many world-class restaurants and bars to name, and an atmosphere that is quintessentially old NYC – there really is nothing not to love here.  Got a spare $3.7 Million in your wallet? Must be a fat wallet.

07620 – ALPINE, NEW JERSEY

Whether you live in the U.S. or not, this one may surprise you.  New Jersey always gets a bum rap because it’s next to New York City, arguably the cultural capital of the nation.  Turns out, this city is more expensive than any neighborhood in NYC – at least $100K more (and yes, celebrities like P. Diddy live here). But still, when you’re at a bar in the Big Apple, you still need to tell the person you’re hitting on that you live in New Jersey…

21056 – GIBSON ISLAND, MARYLAND

Do you love the island lifestyle? Well you’re probably thinking of a tropical island, with umbrella adorned fruity drinks, endless sunshine and sandy beaches.  This island is nothing like that, but is one of the most exclusive places to live along the eastern coastline – perfect for New England types who love golf and yacht clubs such as the Gibson Island Club, and talking about politics (Washington DC is close by).  $3 Million for all that? You know some people will pay for it.

81611 – ASPEN, COLORADO

We needed to get something from the Midwest in here.  Aspen is renowned for its beautiful terrain, captivating mountains and ski resorts. Unsurprisingly, the rich and famous love to come here for a getaway and often invest in vacation and second homes; $2.5 Million will give you a chance to enjoy some of the best downhill runs and pristine snowfall as well as hobnob with celebrities, politicians and entrepreneurs.  Sounds good to us!

33109 – MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

We can’t think of a better Zip code to end on.  This hot spot brings together all of the qualities we love, from a beachfront location to incredible weather, lots of beautiful people and a first-class lifestyle.  For less than $2.3 Million dollars, you can own a home that is the middle of all this, and still have enough left over for that Maserati you were dreaming about while flying in on a private jet.

Surprised by America’s most expensive neighborhoods?  Well it’s a big country, so if you’re interested you can read about so much more. Some of these don’t roll off the tongue like 90210, but it will mean something to someone – somewhere.

U.S designer brand Rodarte has come up with the world’s most expensive socks – crocheted designer socks worth a staggering $500 a pair.

The multicolour socks – which, let’s face it, are quite frankly an eyesore – are available to buy at New York store Opening Ceremony, but won’t even keep you warm this winter, since they are covered with holes.

And to add to their impracticality, they are made of a combination of silky mohair and soft alpaca wool, which makes them too delicate to even wash.

It was recently reported sixty-three per cent of women in the UK now spend between £11 and £30 on a single pair of tights, inspired by stars.

UK company Walford currently sell silk cashmere tights for around £100 a pair and celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Pixie Lott have been sparking a boom in sales over the last few years.

Many designers have been recently showcasing socks with high heels.

However, the fashion industry is aware of the short-lived nature of most things ‘fashionable’.

Elle magazine warned: “‘The open-toe [shoe with] sock trend is very season-specific, and by the end of the fall, the trend is most likely to look dated or passé.”

What could be the world’s most expensive Barbie is going up for auction in New York later this month and could fetch up to a whopping $500,000.

The custom-designed Barbie doll sports a sparkling necklace featuring a one-carat pink diamond surrounded with two more carats of diamonds.

The doll will be offered up for auction on October 20 at Christie’s auction house for an estimated $300,000 to $500,000, which would thrash the current world auction record for a $17,091 Barbie set in 2006 at Christie’s London.

Jeweller Stefano Canturi arranged the emerald-cut, fancy vivid diamond in a geometric pattern with smaller white diamonds, totalling three carats. He also designed the doll’s black strapless dress, stilettos, hair and other features.

All proceeds from the Barbie’s sale will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A rare copy of John James Audubon’s Birds of America, labelled as being the world’s most expensive book, is to go on sale at Sotheby’s.

Only 119 complete copies of the 19th-century book are known to exist, and 108 are owned by museums and libraries.

A separate edition of the wildlife book sold for a record-breaking price of $8.8 million a decade ago.

The copy going under the hammer in December comes from the collection of the late Lord Hesketh.

It contains 1,000 life-sized illustrations of almost 500 breeds of birds.

It took wildlife artist John James Audubon 12 years to complete his study for the book.

He did so by travelling across America, shooting the birds. He would then hang them on bits of wire to paint them.

The artist then went to Britain to print the volumes and targeted the rich to buy copies.

Lord Hesketh’s collection also includes a rare copy of William Shakespeare’s First Folio, which Sotheby’s said is “the most important book in all of English Literature”.

Of the 750 that were probably printed, only 219 are known to exist today.

The copy being offered for sale, which dates back to 1623, has a valuation of up to £1.5 million, and only has three pages missing.

Letters addressed from Elizabeth I relating to Mary Queen of Scots are also going under the hammer at the sale, which takes place on December 7.

David Goldthorpe, a senior specialist in Sotheby’s books and manuscripts department in London, said: “To have all these items in one sale is remarkable; it’s certainly never happened in my time, 15 years, and people who’ve been here longer can’t recall it.”

A court in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany will consider whether the original bill from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s June 2006 barbecue with then US President George W. Bush has to be made public.

Dubbed by the German media as the “world’s most expensive barbecue”, the event is reported to have cost a ludicrous €8.7 million.

The plaintiff in the case, who is currently serving a jail sentence for bank robbery, filed his request under the state’s freedom of information law.

“It is fairly far-reaching,” said Stefan Schulz, the plaintiff’s lawyer.

“Officials can only refuse to release information if it would pose a danger to the state or to a third party.”

He added he was optimistic that the ruling would be in favour of his client, who will not be appearing in court.

The overall cost of the extravagant barbecue in Trinwillershagen – where the then US President Bush feasted on wild boar after sightseeing along the Baltic Coast - has already been made public.

After a formal request from Germany’s National Democratic Party (NPD), the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state Interior Ministry reported in 2007 and 2008 that the visit had cost €8.7 million. Other German states paid around €5.7 million to send police officers to the event.

However, the plaintiff has said he wants to see original documentation detailing the exact costs.

The data protection commissioner of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Karsten Neumann, said the request for the cost breakdown would get his support, saying that he considered a previous denial by the authorities as “ludicrous”.

Justice officials had justified their denial by saying releasing an exact cost breakdown would allow the public to infer how many security personnel had been brought in from other states and, therefore, had not been present in their own jurisdictions.

In total, approximately 12,000 police officers were called into service to provide security for the 36-hour presidential visit.

The world’s most expensive golf buggy, featuring a refrigerator built into the dashboard, is worth an astonishing £40,000.

The Garia Luxury Golf Car is assembled in the same factory as the Porshe Boxster and Cayman, while the aluminium profiles in the frame are made by the same manufacturer as those of Aston Martins, Jaguars and Volvos.

With a top speed of 35 miles (56 kilometres) per hour, the £40k cart can be legally driven on roads as well as on golf courses.

The buggy also features hand-stitched seats and 10-inch aluminium wheels, while its front suspension is inspired by the fastest cars in the world.

Its Formula One-inspired drive train is built by the Italian company which also produces Ducati gearboxes, while its built-in fridge is made by a company which supplies Bentley and Maybach.

The Creative Director of Garia, Anders Lynge, said, “The Garia LSV is ideal for shorter trips and recreational purposes.

“It’s possible to drive directly from your home to the golf course – this is something many people will appreciate.”

The most expensive apartment in the world is on the verge of being sold – for an eye-popping £140 million.

The property, which is part of a development designed and managed by British business brothers Christian and Nick Candy, is in Knightsbridge – one of the most upmarket areas of London.

At a cost of more than £6,000 per square foot, the two-floor apartment is within walking distance of luxury department stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

It also has a tunnel connecting to the neighbouring Mandarin Oriental Hotel – where UK top chef Heston Blumenthal is soon to open a restaurant.

The four-bedroom apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows, its own car park and access to all the leisure facilities that a discerning buyer would expect, such as health spas and squash courts.

For those who still have big money to burn, McLaren is opening a flagship showroom at the development with prices ranging from anything up to £230,000 for a supercar.

For the protection of those living in the complex, an abundance of security features are in place.

They include SAS-trained security guards, bullet-proof windows, an air purifier to combat poison gas attacks and a “panic room”, in which the owner can hide if under attack.

Experts said many foreign buyers have moved into the British property market because it represents good value, compared with other countries, due to the fall of the pound.

Even so, £140 million is enough to raise anyone’s eyebrows.

The nationality of the buyer is not known, however there is mention of a Russian oligarch or an Arab billionaire.

While most of the block has been sold, 35 per cent of properties are still waiting for new owners.

The former office block site was bought in 2004 for £150 million.

The world’s most expensive car, a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic that sold for more than US$30 million earlier this year, has gone on public display.

The luxury car is going on display at the the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.

The museum, specialising in Art Deco and streamline eras cars, says the Bugatti will be on display only for a limited time, but did not reveal just how limited that time will be.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to display the Bugatti Atlantic at our Art Deco museum,” said Peter Mullin, founder of the Mullin Automotive Museum.

“The Art Deco Movement was driven by people who were fascinated by invention and innovation – by the exotic nature of new technology and materials, by art and design, by speed and by the machine – no automobile captures this spirit more than the Bugatti Atlantic.”

The museum describes the Atlantic as having been derived from Bugatti’s prototype “Aerolithe Electron Coupe”, a vehicle that caused a sensation when unveiled at the 1935 Paris Auto Salon.

The museum goes on to explain that from its inception, the Atlantic defined exotic. It was radical both in its design and engineering. Jean Bugatti produced the Atlantic’s spectacular sculpted appearance using riveted aluminum panels that he mounted on Bugatti’s most sophisticated, powerful and revolutionary Type 57S chassis.

While only three Atlantics were built, this particular car (chassis #57374) is the first in the series, widely believed to be the most original and correct in form. It was built in 1936 and many suggest that parts from the Aerolithe prototype were used in its production.

The car’s first owner, Lord Victor Rothschild of London, ordered the car in light blue, with dark blue interior. In 1939, the car was sent back to the Bugatti factory to be fit with a supercharger. Bob Oliver, from Los Angeles, was the car’s second owner. Dr Peter Williamson then purchased the car in 1971, for US$59,000, a world record price at the time. Over many years, he respectfully restored the car to its 1939 specification. In 2003, the car made its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it was awarded the prestigious honour of “Best in Show”.

The vehicle was recently purchased again in 2010 through a sale brokered by Gooding & Company.

Moscow retained its ranking for the sixth year running as the city with the most expensive average hotel room rate in the world, a survey by business travel agency Hogg Robinson Group showed.

The average room rate in the city is £256.83, Hogg Robinson said in its report today. Geneva followed as the second-most expensive city at £199.11 and Hong Kong at £197.61.

The hotel market in Europe and the U.S. “appears to be stabilising,” with cities including Amsterdam, Stockholm and Zurich showing increases in average room rates, according to the report. Hotels are recovering after struggling to attract business over the past two years as the global recession deterred holidaymakers and forced companies to cut budgets.

“Globally, the hotel industry has shown signs of recovery in the first half of 2010,” Hogg Robinson spokeswoman Margaret Bowler said in the report. “Moscow yet again retains its place as the city with the highest average room rate for the sixth year, despite a fall of 12 per cent when measured in local currency.”

Average room rates advanced by 13 per cent in Stockholm, seven per cent in Zurich and five per cent in Geneva during the six months, Hogg Robinson said.

Room rates in Abu Dhabi showed the highest average rate reduction, falling 25 per cent, due to a drop in occupancy and new hotel developments. Rome, Copenhagen and Dubai also showed reductions of seven per cent, 10 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.

London’s average room rates advanced by one per cent, after a “significant” increase in corporate occupancy levels and “buoyant” demand from leisure travelers, as well as the weakness of the British pound against other currencies.

U.S. room rates were “flat or marginally lower,” except for San Francisco, where average rates fell by 11 per cent.

A drop in demand and oversupply in places contributed to the fall in prices in Bangalore, Belfast and Beijing, where rates fell 21 per cent, 12 per cent and 19 per cent in British pounds, while currency fluctuations caused most of the rise in prices in British pounds in Australia and South Africa, the report said.