Smartbuy issue dated 16th February, 2011

Smartbuy Business Line

G A D G E T S

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A U T O |

L U X U R Y

www.blsmartbuy.com

BMW X1 test driven Should you buy this baby beamer?

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WHAT’S HOT this week

Team Smartbuy Editorial Anushya Mamtora anushya@thehindu.co.in

Ketaki Bhojnagarwala ketaki@thehindu.co.in

Mahananda Bohidar mahananda@thehindu.co.in

S .Muralidhar muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

Design Bryan Gaughan aqua@thehindu.co.in

Balakrishnan designkbala@thehindu.co.in

Advertising Contact R. Diwakar ramdiwakar@thehindu.co.in

Web Advertising Contact N. Amarnath amarnath@thehindu.co.in

www.blsmartbuy.com Become a fan of our Facebook page: BL Smartbuy Follow us on Twitter

Cover photo: S. Muralidhar

Digital locker WD My Passport Essential With a 500GB storage capacity, the My Passport Essential hard drive from WD provides complete storage, on the go. This portable drive requires no power source to connect up to your computer, and is literally pocket-sized. It is powered by USB 3.0 technology, but is also fully compatible with USB 2.0 connections. Match it to your style quotient with exciting colours like Midnight Black, Cool Silver, Real Red, Pacific Blue and Arctic White.

Rs 4,299

Stylish portability Asus Eee PC 1015PW At just 1.25kg, the Eee PC 1015PW is light enough to slip into a bag to take anywhere. 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 provide speedy wireless connectivity for both network access and external peripherals. ASUS Express Gate offers instant-on functionality for checking email and websites, while ASUS Access provides secure and convenient online storage for anywhere-access to files and backups of important data.

Rs 23,600

Hands on gaming Logitech F710 This new wireless gamepad from Logitech is designed to give you a console like gaming experience on your PC. The gamepad comes with soft rubber grips, and a floating D-pad design which provides accuracy in all eight directions.

The familiar control layout system should be a breeze if you’ve used an Xbox or Playstation before. The F710 provides wireless freedom of up to 2.4 GHz, - just plug the Nano receiver into a USB port and you’re good to go.

Rs 2,595

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Go Ginger!

OliveSmart V-S300 This smartphone from Olive is powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), and features a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and Adreno 205 graphics engine. The display is a large 4.1-inch multitouch capacitive touch screen, and the camera is a 5-megger with flash and auto focus. There is also a front camera for video calls. 32GB expandable memory, HD video, surround sound and DLNA makes this phone a media lover’s delight.

Up to Rs 20,000

Pump it up!

Totem Wind Canada-based Totem Acoustics have launched their range of high-end speakers in India.

The Totem Wind is a stylish red set that you could set up with your brand new home theatre system. The multiple midranges in the system allow for an incredible range of soundsy.

You also have the option to customise the finish to exotic veneer, satin or multicoated polyester.

Price on request

Ka ching! Amosu iPhone 4 Diamond Spider The Amosu iPhone 4 Diamond Spider comes with 846 VVS1 F colour diamonds totalling 5.66 carats with a choice of any colour diamonds. Every handset comes with a 24 hour global concierge service. The iPhone 4 diamond spider also comes with a special golden number of your choice, for example 07XXX 111111. £15,000

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SMARTPHONE review

Mahananda Bohidar ive your teen a sleek, new handset, and what do you think are the two things that he/she will always be doing? Ears plugged in to music and fingers typing so fast you can barely see them!

The Nokia X-series initially had music-oriented features as its USP. This, however, is changing with Gen-Z SMSing and IMing away like there’s no tomorrow! Targeted at this clique of users, Nokia has launched the X2-01, which we’ve been hooked on to for a couple of weeks.

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Out of the box The build quality is better than you would expect in a budget handset. The 2.4-inch QVGA screen takes up half of the fascia. Below the display are sleek click buttons to receive/end calls, two navigation keys, a pair of shortcut buttons to launch the Media Player and type in a quick SMS. Nestled between all these is the D-pad with a click button at the centre to activate functions depending on the app you are using.

With the USP of the handset being efficient ‘messaging’ you have a dedicated button to type a quick text. You can also tweak it to launch your preferred choice of communicating, for example, reading e-mails or logging into your IM client.

You have the familiar unified email client (Nokia Messaging 3.0) that also supports Gmail, Yahoo! Mail and Hotmail among others. The same goes with the integrated IM client that supports Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger and a handful of other IM clients.

OS issues No surprises when it comes to the OS; same old S 40 series which you’d expect in a budget smartphone by Nokia. The sole home screen can be customised to display three bars and you can select each to be shortcuts to various apps and functions.

The convenient cluster of social networking sites is grouped in ‘Communities’ as has been the case with a handful of current models from Nokia’s stable.

The QWERTY keyboard on the X2-01 is one of the most comfortable ones you’ll find in the market. The keys are almost the same as the ones in the Nokia E62 handsets but have been laid out much more ergonomically in the X2-01.

The inbuilt browser was quick to load pages over a GPRS connection and scrolling through the web pages wasn’t as slow and painful as we thought it would be.

When you click on ‘Home’ the browser opens the Google home page by default, but if you directly want to do a ‘Web Search’ when you log on to the internet, Bing pops up on the screen as the only option provided on the Nokia X2-01.

Photo: R. Ravindran

‘X’citing enough? ingly, far from impressive.

The inbuilt memory is quite insignificant but you can bulk it up to 8GB with an external memory card.

When we were on voice calls, the sound came through quite loud and clear. The battery lasts about two days on a full charge.

Our verdict Gripes While fishing for a budget handset, one has to be ready to make a couple of compromises in the build quality or features that come bundled with it. In case of the Nokia X2-01, there are some essential functions that have been left out, to produce an affordable messaging-focused handset. The handset doesn’t offer you Wi-Fi connectivity. Bluetooth and an USB data cable are the only connectivity options available to transfer data to or from the handset. However, you can’t charge the handset with the USB cable. Needless to add, the budget smartphone isn’t 3G-ready.

Dropped calls were a major issue with the Nokia X2-01.

Regardless of the network availability, calls got cut off incessantly especially while we were on the move.

When it comes to multimedia options offered by the Nokia X2-01, you’ll have to make do with just a VGA camera that gives you extremely grainy photographs. You also have video recording but the results are, unsurpris-

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The Nokia X2-01 has nothing new to offer as a smartphone apart from the fact that it has an ultra-comfy keyboard which might be a boon for those of you who are addicted to texting and ‘IM’ing. What also helps the case is the fact that the Nokia X2-01 has a sturdy build and a bold design that makes it appear like a slightly higher-end phone than it actually is.

Apart from this, the Nokia X2-01 is the same ol’ tricks in a new bag. But, the biggest draw with this Nokia handset will clearly be the extremely affordable price tag, apart from its wannabe business-phone looks.

Ratings Aesthetics : 4/5 User Interface: 3/5 Features: 2/5 Value For Money: 4/5 Rs 4,459 mahananda@thehindu.co.in

SNEAK preview

Dream PC for the win?

Mahananda Bohidar hile Sony and Nintendo are leading the world into a frenzied state of activity when it comes to console gaming, one would wonder what has become of good old PC gaming. It started with games which were as basic as it could get. In our very first personal computers, Minesweeper, Pong, Chess and Pac-Man were the ones responsible for giving us our first gamers’ high! Later, we graduated to games which become a little more advanced, in terms of graphics, gameplay, storyline and characters and the kind of power the system was required to have. The gradual development in the gaming arena was spurred on by the advent of broadband in the Indian market which boosted LAN gaming which in turn resulted in a lot of hardcore gamers pursuing their obsession on high-end PCs.

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First impressions The Dream PC, a hardcore gaming station, launched recently by Corsair targets exactly this audience. The PC is a combination of gaming-focused peripherals from different companies and the integral CPU components from Corsair.

During the test, the system powers up in about 50 seconds. We watch some videos and game prologues in the 22-inch Samsung LCD monitor that comes bundled with the unit. The videos are devoid of lags and stutters and the colours are crisp. The gaming monitor was 3D-enabled and we donned the uber-cool NVIDIA Active Shutter glasses to get the game on. After vrooming around some car tracks, we jumped right into Bad Company 2. The first-person shooter video game, set during World War II, had excellent graphics and the 3D effect on the monitor was impressive. Donning the Corsair HS1 gaming headphones, we plunged right in and dodged bullets, hid in bushes and shot down enemy planes as the game progressed. The experience was immersive to say the least with the combination of 3D display and headphones, which effectively cut out ambient noise.

The only bit that could be little disorienting is the fact that you might have to sit close to the screen throughout the gameplay. This, however, shouldn’t pose a problem to hardcore gamers who are already used to PC gaming almost day in, day out.

Hard talk!

All the hardware components in the PC are housed in a special Corsair Obsidian Series 800D which is specially designed keeping over-clockers and hardcore gamers in mind.

There are pre-cut cable routing holes to guarantee a clutter-free interior that lets air flow in easily. So even after spending hours to strike down the enemy, you’ll still

be far from being able to toast your bread on the CPU! The keyboard hooked to the system was the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate. The keys were backlit with blue lighting that could be adjusted through five levels depending on the ambient light. Apart from the usual multimedia controls on the pad, you also have dedicated keys that let you save macros during the game and also let you switch between 10 different gamer profiles with customised keyboard settings for different games or applications.

We tried on the HS1 headphones with a couple of videos. The headset has an integrated Dolby system that enables it to convert stereo input sources to make it sound like a virtual 7.1 output system.

Even after a long period of time, the headphones that we had been using did not seem uncomfortable because the circumaural device was crafted with memory foam. But when we used it with our 3D Vision glasses on, it became slightly inconvenient to put them on and don them for longer periods.

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Tech specs The Corsair Dream PC comes with a 120GB solid state drive that is dedicated only for the OS and games that you might want to install in the computer. For all the other stuff that you choose to store in the PC you have a 1TB hard drive in the system. The system also comes with hot-swap bays that let you upgrade or switch hard drive with the four hot-swap bays in the cabinet. The Dream PC that we tried our hands on came installed with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional.

The system also features the high-end ASUS Sabertooth P67 ‘military grade’ motherboard. The motherboard itself is juiced up with a system that detects temperature in real-time and dissipates heat accordingly. The processor is an Intel Core i7 Sandybridge and you get 12GB of RAM in the system. Now that’s what you call a gamer’s delight!

Rs 2.5 lakh mahananda@thehindu.co.in

What is macro recording?

Here’s an example of macro recording. Hitting the ‘Macro Record’ key on your keyboard and then typing in a sequence of multiple spells in World of Warcraft saves this action to the specified key. The same sequence of spells can then be executed automatically if you press just that one button instead of having to access driver menus or other software.

SOUND bytes

Block it all out Blackbox M10 Noise cancelling The M10s’ compact leather cups fit snugly over your ears, instantly cutting out some ambient noise, while Phitek’s ANR circuit generates a signal that effectively blocks out the rest. A slight hissing sound is an unfortunate side effect. Otherwise, the sound is smooth and engaging with plenty of detail.

It’s a shame the padded headband doesn’t fold up, but it does twist flat to fit in the handy carry bag. A stereo adapter for aeroplane sockets and a battery are included in the sub-7k price.

Love: Compact and comfortable. Effective noise cancellation. Warm sound. Stereo adapter Hate: Noise cancelling causes a slight hiss Rs 6,500 RATING:

Headbanging revolution 1

Fitness freak JayBird Sportsband 2 Bluetooth headphones Jaybird’s minimalist cans connect to your MP3 player or phone via Bluetooth. Volume and track controls, a wireless receiver and a mic for hands-free phone calls are all built into the metallic headband so there are no cables. The design tightly clasps your head, staying put during energetic gym regimes. The sound is generally crisp, but a little brittle when you turn up the volume.

It’s apt-X compatible, meaning you can add an apt-X dongle (Rs 3,500) for lossless audio tracks.

Love: Bluetooth. Secure fit. Built-in controls Hate: Low output level Rs 7,000 RATING:

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Doctor’s orders!

Monster Beats Pro By Dr Dre Built to last and tuned to get the very best out of digital sources, these cans have exemplary sound quality with crisp treble and deep bass – testament to the involvement of hip-hop legend Dr Dre. The aluminium headband clamps the cushioned cups firmly to your head, blocking out most ambient sound. They also spin round so you can hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off – a handy feature “in da club”, but also on da bus. These are well designed, goodsounding cans, but they are extraordinarily pricey.

Love: Strikingly clear and open sound quality Hate: By far the most expensive cans on test Rs 25,000 RATING:

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Over-ear headphones are making a comeback, and how.

Go retro with this line-up of headphones, and give the in-ear ones a boot!

Get gaming Plantronics GameCom 777 Dolby 7.1 headphones This gaming headset is also a surround sound system for your head. Plug it into a PC or Mac using the supplied dongle to simulate the effect of a proper 7.1 speaker system. This is obviously not as convincing as proper surround sound, but it does add an eerie sense of depth and space that enhances gaming – you can hear foes creeping up behind you in Call Of Duty. For music playback the sound can be overly bass-heavy, but for gamers it’s ideal.

Love: Good surround sound mimicry Hate: Bass-heavy when playing music Rs 6,000 RATING:

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Futuristic beats V-Moda Cross Fade LP These headphones come in an exoskeleton case and feature brushed metal covers on the cups. It’s a bold design that may not be to everyone’s taste. The hexagonal cups fit snugly around the ears and they deliver a dynamic and open sound, albeit with slightly bright tonal balance. There’s plenty of heavy bass too, with the TM-1s tending to be suited to bass-heavy rock and dance music. The cord has in-line volume controls and a mic for hands-free phone chatting. You may cause a stir on public transport though, because sound leaks from the side vents.

Love: Distinctive design. Hands-free mic Hate: Plasticky. Some audio leakage Rs 16,500 RATING:

5

Get grooving Aiaiai TMA-1

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The Danish design firm behind this headset consulted 25 of the world’s top DJs to perfect the design and sonics. The result is these elegantly simple pair-ophones that are rugged, dynamic and refreshingly free of overt branding. The sensitive built-in speakers boost the overall output, providing meaty bass lines and a satisfying punch that will help DJs to clearly hear the beat when mixing in noisy night clubs and meet the approval of most music fans. They have a loose fit and the treble could be more biting, but the overall audio effect is engaging.

Love: Sensitive speakers. Punchy bass. Rugged, branding-free build Hate: Laidback treble Rs 13,000 RATING:

This material is translated or reproduced from T3 magazine and is the copyright of or licensed to Future Publishing Limited, a Future plc group company, UK 2011.

Used under license. All rights reserved

AUTO focus

The family’s favoured tot S. Muralidhar espite tracking the Indian automobile market for years, some changes in tastes and preferences still catch me by surprise. With the kind of brands that have been bitten by the bug of the Indian growth story and have subsequently been launched here, surely, there will be the inevitable compression of the maturity curve in buyer preferences.

Yet, the response to the recent launch of the BMW X1 is a classic example of the sudden change in preferences that, sometimes, catch you unawares. You see, even luxury car buyers here have shown a marked preference for big sports utility vehicles. They have sought diesel SUVs, with a muscular road presence, a butch stance and with loads of interior space.

But the BMW X1 is a babe in comparison to its siblings (the X3, X5 and the X6) and in comparison to the competition’s best selling models such as the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes M-Class. So, it does seem like buyer preferences have changed and more and more are willing to consider compact SUVs too.

Or is it the fact that this is an affordable BMW, which makes it such a big draw. Priced within range of Rs 22

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lakh to Rs 30 lakh, BMW has managed to set the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons with the X1. Pricing it aggressively has also been made possible since BMW choose to assemble the X1 at its Chennai plant.

Design Whether the new X1 has gotten a boost from the attractive pricing or not, it still represents a promising change in preferences that the other brands will also want to benefit from. For now, the X1 is the sole representative of a unique niche in the luxury car segment. It has been designed to look and behave neither like a sport utility nor like an estate. Despite some innovative body styling work, the X1’s DNA is all too evident to see…and that was the way it was meant to be.

The X1 shares its platform with the BMW 3 Series Touring, the estate version of the 3 Series, and in fact, the X1 and the 3 Series Touring have same wheelbase too, though other dimensions differ. In terms of design, the X1 has a number of features and characteristics of a BMW X model. Yet, its design is very unique and hints of the 3 Series can be seen and felt, particularly in the design lines that define X1, such as the roofline.

The new BMW X1 doesn’t seem so small as you walk up to it and when it is parked alone. The height of the X1 does give you a sense of it almost being a sedan and yet there is no mistaking the fact that it is intended to be a sports activity vehicle (SAV), as BMW calls it. Yet, when you park it alongside other full-size sedans and SUVs, the X1 suddenly seems very petite.

There is a strong SUV character that comes through when you look at the almost square-contoured, flaredout wheel arches, the high ground clearance and the silver coloured under-floor. But, there are also features such as the short overhangs, sleek engine compartment lid that sports sharp contour lines, and the low rake of the rear window etc., which contribute to the X1’s very estate-like appearance. The X1’s drag coefficient (Cd) is also a very sedan-like low of 0.32.

In the X1, other BMW trademark styling cues can all be found – the headlamp rings, the L-shaped design of the LED tail lamps, the kidney bonnet grille and the ‘Hofmeister kink’ in the character line.

Interior The moment I step into the X1 and take the wheel, the

Photos: S. Muralidhar

semi-command position typical to BMW SUVs is immediately evident, helping improve the visibility for the driver.

The dashboard layout is simple and special design of the centre console ensures that the aircon and audio controls are all slightly tilted towards the driver to allow easy access. Fit and finish quality was excellent and very much like a BMW sedan. In fact, a few of the controls and knobs are being shared with the 3 series. But, in the X1 sDrive18i that I was test driving, which is the base variant of the model, I found the interior to be a bit Spartan. However, in the top-end X1 sDrive20d Exclusive, in the place of the flip open storage at the top of the centre console would be the display of the iDrive control system and in place of the cubby hole next to the automatic gearbox’s lever will be the iDrive Controller.

The interior of the X1 I test drove came with premium Sensatec upholstery and black high-gloss inserts. The topend sDrive20d Exclusive is offered with Nevada leather and real wood trim. BMW says that the rear seat of the X1 can accommodate three persons comfortably, but when I tried it out with a few friends, it was a squeeze for the trio of adults at the rear. The backrest angle can, however, be adjusted by up to 31 degrees. The luggage compartment capacity is about 420 litres and with the rear seats folded this can go all the way up to 1,350 litres.

Performance The new X1 also shares the petrol engine with the 3 Series.

The four-cylinder, four-valve, two-litre engine has been

slightly tweaked to generate a marginally lower 110 kW or 150 bhp of peak power at the same 6,400 rpm level (in the 3 series it is 115 kW). Incidentally, the petrol and diesel engines in the X1 are both 1,995cc units and seem to be sharing the same block too with identical bore and stroke numbers.

I test drove the sDrive18i with the petrol unit. BMW’s nomenclature for its petrol cars are indicated by the inclusion of ‘i’ and ‘s’ in sDrive indicates rear wheel drive, in contrast to the presence of the ‘x’ in xDrive, which represents all-wheel drive.

The long tested and loved 1,995cc petrol engine in the X1 was as delightful to drive, reviving the feeling that I was actually driving a sedan.

Refined and quiet, but with considerable power available (each bhp has to power only 9.7 kgs), the X1 accelerates with ease. The free-revving engine is ably supported by a quick shifting six-speed automatic transmission. The automatic is the transmission of choice for the diesel variant too. Though the X1 is offered with a six-speed manual also in other markets, it is not available here.

But, the six-speed auto gearbox gets a triptronic and sports mode too, though there are no paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Despite being the smallest member of the X series family, the X1 manages a top speed of 200 kmph.

During my test drive, I was regularly clocking over 170 kmph in clean stretches of road. The X1’s straightline stability is excellent and its ability to take on corners is

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very confidence inspiring. The overall driving dynamics are very BMW in character and the very steering instantly obeys every input from the driver. The only gripe is that the steering wheel can feel heavy at very slow speeds.

Aiding the driveability of the X1 are the 17-inch alloy wheels and the 225/50 run-flats that it is offered with. The suspension is again very much like BMW’s sedans – agile and rigid enough to offer a sporty drive. Though there was much of a jarring ride over rough patches of road, the overall choice of suspension is oriented towards a tarmac existence. And the choice of a rear-wheel drive only set up for the X1 (unlike all-wheel drive for the other X models) also means that any attempts at off-roading will not be recommended.

BMW’s standard focus on safety features is also reflected in the X1’s long list. The sDrive20d Exclusive is also offered with an optional panorama glass roof.

Bottomline The X1 could be the first of many to come in this fledgling compact luxury sports utility segment. But until the competition has a vehicle that can match the X1 in its class and versatility, this BMW will be the uncontested numero uno.

In the meanwhile, thanks to its aggressive price, the X1 will wean away buyers from the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, the Chevy Captiva, the Honda CR-V and the Mitsubishi Outlander…and maybe a few from even BMW’s own stable. muraliswami@thehindu.co.in

Clockwise from top Steering wheel gets audio controls and hands-free. Adaptive cruise control missing from the India-spec version.

BMW nomenclature for the base variant of the X1 petrol Automatic transmission gear lever is positioned within easy reach and triptronic mode can be fun to use 2-litre engine ideally powered for Indian conditions and is relatively frugal too Simple instrument cluster is easy to read and has the cool analog, real-time fuel efďŹ ciency dial

PREMIUM interiors

Colour coded!

Humble earthy tones, sunny yellows, pretty pinks and classic blacks and whites are the new trendsetters for 2011. Here’s how you can make your homes revel in them

An alternative to black and white, forestinfluenced khaki flooring is accentuated by yellow as a serial cushion in different textures

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010 has thrown up a lot of independent creative hot shops, product lines, ideas and outputs. Entrepreneurs have tried and tested new concepts and flirted with bringing fruition to their passions. People have stepped back, taken stock and come out with delightful ideas.

In the same spirit, this year, one cannot point to a single hue or idea as the interiors trend for 2011. Colour appears in various manifestations; popping up again and again to pleasure and delight us. Let’s pick the best of what’s on offer and bring it in to work with our interior spaces.

Graphic Black and White White has now become a de facto and high-end colour in public spaces and interior design. The magic of black and white together can never fade away. These classics are constantly reinterpreted in the design context of the day.

Two years ago, black and white, as a combination, was all about floral silhouettes.

The context for black and white today, is set in reference to the urgency of the word. Bold text has been seen in graphic messaging and advertising. It has made its way

Pink in combination with dark accents makes a sophisticated setting perfect for dining or slightly formal lounging

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Woven textiles and folk printed details evoke feel-good and homely emotions

into spaces, home interior products and accents too; walls of expressed angst, the word on cushions, lampshades, ceramics and stencils.

Black and white manifests as clarity; to cut the clutter of visual noise. It is not floral, it is not stripes nor geometrics; it is the spoken word or an encompassing silence – a quiet, shadow background highlighting, a single colour accent.

Chirpy Yellow Yellow makes a fresh move into interiors by joining hands with black and white. Mixing various proportions of the two classics gives us gradations of grey, which makes for a Spartan backdrop to the perfect pick-up accent, yellow. In monochrome schemes, the warmth of a fashion-influenced yellow gold appears in textile texture such as bed linen - melding beautifully with comfortable coffee tones. An alternative to black and white would be the mellow khaki with yellow to take away some of the combination’s austerity. In a more modernist mood, yellow accents on retro glassware reflect the design style of the 50s. This particular shade is kept light and airy.

Warm earthy colours manifest as handcrafted neat edged linen fabrics, good quality cotton and natural wool fibres

Gorgeous Pink Spelling optimism, the colour pink lets us celebrate the beauty of everyday life. Shades of pink to coral harness the idea of contentment. These colours let us embrace a mood of sunny relaxation.

Combinations are gathered from everyday arrangements: country flowers in chintzy vases, vegetables in baskets, patchwork cushions and throws, quirky turned wood lamp bases and hammered brass vessels.

Coral pinks combine well with teal and turquoise and are a fresh combination with cream. Pinks when teamed with brown reflect sophistication. It ups the colour scheme for evening settings or formal lounging.

Down to Earth The return of earthy shades is a prominent trend as it celebrates the timeless beauty of the natural world and delivers a sense of grounded harmony.

Highlighted by timber, clay, soil and denim tones that are enlivened by a dash of inspiring yellow, the earthy palette build on the notion that ‘less is more’.

Warm tans and burnt brick make a comeback inspired by natural, homely, feel-good tones of baked clay and well-worn leather. The new earthy oranges, fed by the

wholesome goodness of fruits and vegetables, are vibrant yet mellow enough to live with.

The theme makes an appearance in the form of textured, woven textiles that are refined and modern with folk-printed details. Neatly edged linen fabrics, good cotton and natural wool fibres speak of the handcrafting quality. Ceramics too, are handcrafted with robust handling with a mellow gustatory palette of pumpkin, wheat and corn. Gypsy prints, leather details and trendy stripes further define the colour trend.

Latika Khosla (Better Interiors)

Yellow in a modernist mood appears on retro glassware evocative of 50s design styles, as a light and airy trend application

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MELANGE luxury redefined

Fun accessories Burrr… bery fashion!

Red, pink, purple and fuchsia take over the latest collection at Tod’s. Take a pick from wallets, diaries, coin holders, key chains, cuffs and bracelets in handcrafted calfskin leather at its boutique in Emporio Mall, New Delhi and The Galleria, Mumbai.

Price on request

If the cold is still sending a shiver down your spine, then there’s time left to indulge in some classic winter wear.

Burberry’s Winter Storms collection of bags, scarves, umbrellas and eyewear in black and white is for the whole ‘power’ look. Available at its boutiques.

Price on request

Daytona for your eyes Glam up your looks with this Limited Edition Ferrari Eyewear in memory of Ferrari’s famous triple win in Daytona. Crafted in 18k gold with round frames and leather hints at the temples and sides, it comes in a brown leather case, packed in a lacquered wood box and is available at select eyewear outlets.

Price on request

Sizzling hot This limited edition super lustrous lipstick from Revlon’s Fire & Ice collection, has us smiling at the vintage case that features the shade in a silver tube with a gold band.

Pout for this one at select lifestyle stores.

Rs 525

Run along Nike’s latest is the LunarElite+2 for men and women, which is light and flexible and is equipped with Dynamic Support cushioning and Flywire technology. Make a dash to Nike stores.

Rs 5,700 (Women) and Rs 6,200 (Men)

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BEVERAGE launches

Wines from France Aspri Spirits’ latest addition to the Indian market is the French wine brand, Domaines Barons De Rothschild Lafite. The new wine collection includes a Bordeaux Rouge, a ruby coloured wine with aromas of ripe fruit and liquorice, Aussieres Blanc, a pale yellow wine with hints of green and notes of citrus and exotic fruit, Reserve Speciale Medoc, another red with hints of caramel, coffee and spices and Reserve Speciale Pauillac 2008, a red with spicy and silky finish. Available at leading hotels, restaurants and select retail outlets.

Rs 2,075 onwards

The romantic sip ‘Tag Your Moet Rose Graffiti Box’ is the latest from Moet & Chandon this season to raise a toast when celebrating the season of love with a special someone. The pastel pink packaging with rich gold graffiti cases a luscious bottle of the brand’s Rose Imperial. If you want to pop this bottle, head to leading wine retailers in Mumbai and Delhi.

Price on request

California calling

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t was an evening of fine wining-and-dining at the Taj Club House in Chennai, where Bruce Cakebread showcased the best wines from Cakebread Cellars. Hosted at Kefi, guests were presented with a five course Mediterranean meal, with each dish expertly paired with a carefully selected wine. The family-owned Cakebread Cellars was started by Bruce Cakebread’s father in 1973, in the sunny Napa Valley, California – one of the premier wine producing regions of the world.

The welcome wine was a dry Sauvignon Blanc 2009, which was wonderfully fresh, with citrus hints. It was paired with some traditional Turkish ‘pide’ bread, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and served with garlic mayo, sundried tomato tapenade and pickled gherkins as accompaniments.

Next on the list was a Chardonnay 2009, Cakebread Cellar’s most popular wine, which had aromas of fresh melon and yellow apple. It was served with ‘grilled vegetable and goat’s cheese tian’ and ‘wood smoked cornish hen supremes’. The wine was refreshingly cleansing alongside the ‘truffle vinaigrette’ that was served with the dish.

A more mature Reserve Chardonnay 2006 was served next, and we could immediately tell the difference – it was more weighty, richer and creamier, and was perfect with the earthy exotic Italian mushroom soup which was served in an oregano bread cup.

After a small breather, we moved on to the main course. For the vegetarians, it was ‘wild mushrooms in papillote asparagus and artichoke mash’, while the rest savoured a ‘pistachio crusted loin of lamb with smoked eggplant puree’.

The mains were served with rich, full bodied reds – a Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and a Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 to end it. Cakebread Cellars doesn’t make any dessert wines, so we called a toast to the end of the evening with a delectable Raspberry and Chilli concoction, served alongside Ouzo cheesecake with pistachio and almond baklava.

Photo: Bloomberg

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February 16, 2011