Smartbuy issue dated March 9, 2011

Smartbuy Business Line

G A D G E T S

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A U T O |

L U X U R Y

Apple iPad 2 India’s ďŹ rst hands-on preview Page 4

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WHAT’S HOT this week

Team Smartbuy

Colour me a rainbow!

Editorial Anushya Mamtora

Acer Aspire One Happy

anushya@thehindu.co.in

Ketaki Bhojnagarwala ketaki@thehindu.co.in

Ultra-thin at only 24mm and weighing 1.25 kg, the 10.1inch Aspire One Happy netbook lets you network, play and stay in touch longer with your close ones, thanks to its 8-hour battery power. The LED-backlit netbook runs on a dual OS, Windows 7 and Google’s Android OS. The netbook also comes with an internal hard disk with up to 320 GB of capacity and a built-in multi-card reader for convenient storage and file sharing options. Choose from its vibrant range of colours - Candy Pink, Lavender Purple, Lime Green and Hawaii Blue.

Rs 17,999

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

Circulation Contact R. Mohanram mohanram@thehindu.co.in

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

Cover Photos: Bloomberg

Connect in a flash Transcend JetFlash 560 This new flash drive from Transcend is as chic as it is handy. Encased in a silver tone metallic case, it features a classic checkerboard pattern. It also comes with a convenient retractable USB connector. JetFlash Elite data software which comes with the device lets you use it as a key to log into website accounts, as well as temporarily lock a computer.

Rs 700 (4GB) Rs 1,120 (8GB) Rs 2,290 (16GB)

Port-a-licious Amkette Turbo This USB hub from Amkette features seven fully functional USB 2.0 ports.

Not only do these ports allow for plug-and-play use, but they also function as a charger for most USB-enabled devices. MTT technology guarantees a speed of 12 Mbps on every port, and surge protection ensures that none of your devices are damaged.

Rs 1,100

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Move to the rhythm Waterfall HFM 2.1 SERIO The new Waterfall SERIO speakers are based around a 3-inch Atohm transducer, inside a die-cast aluminium chassis with a safety-glass surround. The system features the patented Heatstream technology that couples the speaker’s voice coil to the unit’s aluminium body to disperse heat efficiently. It is available in three colours: black, white and silver with harmonising grilles that can be customised in orange and green.

Rs 30,000 onwards

Seeing double?

Viewsonic V350 The V350 smartphone is a dual-SIM smartphone from Viewsonic that runs on Android Froyo (Ver 2.2).

With a 3.5-inch display, the handset comes with a HVGA capacitive touch screen, 5-megapixel auto-focus camera, micro-SD expansion, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and assisted GPS navigation.

To be announced

Quick snapping Sony Alpha 55 This new DSLR from Sony features Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows for high-speed continuous shooting with continuous Autofocus. It also allows continuous Autofocus during Full HD AVCHD video recording. This 16.2-megger also features an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 3D Sweep Panorama and Geotagging.

Rs 47,990

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TABLET preview

Notwithstanding all the chatter surrounding the health of Steve Jobs, the launch of Apple’s iPad 2 was already going to be a keenly watched event. In less than a year since launch, will this sell-out tablet from Apple surpass the predecessor? VIDYA RAM grabbed one at the launch in UK and here’s her first experience report for an Indian audience

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acing a wish-list a mile long from its users, Apple was never going to be able to satisfy everyone with the launch of the iPad 2 last week. A front-facing camera and a slimmer design were obvious expectations, though demands for USB ports to a clearer screen to better connectivity were among the numerous ‘Whatwe’d-like-to-see-in-the-new-iPad’ options that wended their way online.

When I tried out the iPad 2 at the unveiling, it offered few surprises when it came to radical changes and as it turned out this isn’t the “entirely new device,” that CEO Steve Jobs cooed about at the launch. Not that this can entirely be a negative point.

The iPad 2 goes on sale in the U.S. on the 11th of March, and 26 other countries (India not included) on the 25th in both the black and white versions.

Sleeker 2 Visually, the iPad 2 does look and feel somewhat different than its predecessor. Apple has knocked a third off its width and 90 grams off its weight, and given it slightly sleeker edges – it makes the previous version feel and look distinctly clunkier.

What might come as a disappointment to some is the fact that the company still hasn’t bothered to add any extra slots.

The mute button on the iPad 2 has a twist that will be particularly appealing to eBooks fans. The switch doubles up as a screen rotation lock – you can tweak this feature in the tablet’s settings menu. Should you want a ready way to use both options, once you set the mute button to your preferred choice, the option to do the other will automat-

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ically appear in the currently-open-apps panel, a feature introduced in the iOS 4.2 update last year.

2 Fast 2 Fastidious And of course there are the much-trumpeted cameras – front and rear facing – which finally (the slot was already there in the first-gen iPad) bring Apple’s video conferencing FaceTime technology – and Photobooth – to the iPad. Dialling up, I found the sound and image quality to be excellent, and there is a nice little feature where you can switch between the two cameras while you are talking.

Apple has changed the position of the speaker – it’s now larger and on the back of the iPad rather than at the bottom edge – though there isn’t a noticeable difference in quality.

However, it continues to be only a single speaker mono output.

One of the biggest changes to the new iPad is the introduction of the new 1GHz A5 dual core processor, which Apple says makes data process twice as fast and graphics nine times as quicker.

To test the new iPad’s faster performance I tried the game ‘Infinity Blade’ and it gave me a good feel of the change in graphic speeds, with monsters travelling seamlessly through battle scenes and chapters loading up quicker.

The tablet also comes with the new iOS 4.3 operating system, which settles some of the other complaints its predecessor had faced.

Moving between websites on the Safari browser through the local Wi-Fi connection certainly feels faster.

It’s also brought in changes to AirPlay which means home videos and other apps can be shared.

Apps and smart covers too However, it is in some of the new apps that have been introduced that the device’s full capabilities become apparent. They’ve introduced iMovies for the iPad where you can shoot, edit and share movies. For a movie-editing novice the app is relatively straightforward and a simple timeline means you can easily ‘cut’ and move around bits of clips with your finger, and add a couple of layers of sound, including your voice, to give it a real documentaryish feel. Equally impressive is the new GarageBand app, which allows you to while away time on a range of virtual instruments from guitars to drums, varying the intensity of the note with your touch.

Apple has made another big overhaul for the covers that will go with the new range of iPads. They only cover the screen and are therefore a lot less bulky, and clamp on magnetically. It is divided into four panels, which you can

snap back individually or together off the screen, and roll into a triangle to use as a prop for the tablet. Spreading the whole cover on the iPad 2 automatically puts it to sleep, while lifting just one panel can awaken it. I think it’s great for saving battery life. (On that count, the device has the same ten-hour battery life as the original). There are a range of ten colours available for the covers – split between polyurethane and leather – the latter being definitely more elegant.

Overall, the new iPad 2 strikes a clever enough balance: pitched at the same prices as the original, it offers enough to entice those on the verge of being convinced by its predecessor, while withholding enough to keep up the excitement for an iPad 3, altogether probably enough to keep its rivals at bay for a while longer.

Price : US $ 499 to 829 India launch date and prices yet to be announced vidya.ram@thehindu.co.in

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SMARTPHONE

review

Do away with double trouble Motorola XT800

Photos: S.S. Kumar

Mahananda Bohidar re you tired of juggling between your two smartphones in your attempt to constantly be in the loop with your professional and personal life? Given the choice, many of us might want to do away with the two handsets finding permanent place in our handbags or pockets. The obvious thing to do would be to go for a dual-SIM handset, but a big chunk of those available in the market are of questionable make.

And wouldn’t that ultra-affordable dual-SIM even from authentic brands seem a little too glaringly cheap in that board-room meeting? What could possibly solve this dilemma is the first Android-dual SIM handset to be launched, the XT800 from Motorola.

A In the box

An obviously high-end smartphone, the XT800 offers to conveniently integrate two mobile identities, albeit only a CDMA and GSM combination. A feature which we think is targeted at globe trotters who often find themselves in geographies where their SIM’s network is weak or worse isn’t supported. Unlike older dual-SIM handsets which were only a ‘standby’ dual-SIM where you could use only one identity at a time and the other was on standby, the XT800 allows you to operate both SIM cards simultane-

ously.

The XT800, with its sleek metal bezel and touch-sensitive buttons, looks every bit your modern weapon of choice. The handset sports only four physical buttons (none of them in the fascia) – the volume rocker button, power key, one to launch the Quick Search Box and one to serve as a shortcut to the Camera app as well as the Shutter button once the app is launched.

You get five homescreens to play around with. Connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS are displayed in a neat row which is a tap away whenever you want to tweak these settings. The same applies to GPRS and you have the option to activate this and choose either your CDMA or GSM connection . These options being accessible directly from the homescreen and being easy to activate saves you the trouble of digging deep into ‘Settings’ every time you want to make changes.

A virtual ‘tag’ at the bottom of the screen indicates a pull-up menu. All apps downloaded and built-in are listed here for you to launch and create a shortcut to the homescreen as well.

The user interface has been integrated excellently to make the XT800 a rather convenient dual-SIM phone to use. Sync all your contacts into an integrated list on the handset and every time you choose a number to make a Smartbuy

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voice call or to send an SMS, you are given the option of doing it either via the CDMA network or the GSM one.

Whenever you want to store a business card or an SMS you are given the option to do so either on your CDMA or GSM SIM card.

The pop-up virtual keyboard on the XT800 was comfortable enough to type on although it felt a little cramped when we used it in the ‘Portrait’ mode.

The quality of voice calls was clear and we had almost no dropped calls. Every time we received a call on the handset it would show us whether it was being made to the GSM network or the CDMA network.

The native browser was prompt and the loading time on most websites was kept to the minimum with decent pinch-to-zoom options.

Multimedia The Motorola XT800 is endowed with a 5-megger but the results were far from stunning. Even portraits clicked in a well-lit room were grainy.

With a tap on the screen, you can slide in the ‘Settings’ that you might want to tweak before you click a picture.

Steady, Macro, Sports and Sunset are a few preset modes on the camera along with the regular gamut of colour settings (Sepia, Solarise etc) to choose from. Except for

these, you don’t have much freedom over the camera settings, there is no way of changing the exposure levels or tweaking the ISO settings.

Transferring media files from a source on to the XT800 was an easy drag-and-drop process and the handset recognised the files transferred with ease. Once you’ve loaded the XT800 with multimedia, you can hook it up to your high-def telly with the mini-HDMI cable that’s included in the box.

The only video formats supported are Mp4, .wmv, H.263 and H.264, hence to watch movies or videos, that have been encoded in common formats like .avi or .mov, on the handset you’ll have to download a third-party app from ‘Market’. We went with our usual pick, RockPlayer, an Android app that plays most audio and video formats with ease.

We loaded ‘Before Sunrise’ and it played back fine on the 3.4-inch screen. The resolution seemed fine, images did not look pixelated even though that video wasn’t of the sharpest quality. The sound too was good enough to sit back and listen to in a relatively quiet room. However, there was a visible lag whenever we would fast-forward from one scene to another, the handset pausing to adjust to the skips.

when we had had an app open and locked the screen with the function still running in the background. The handset that we reviewed came with a 2GB add-on memory card and the external memory on the XT800 is expandable up to 32GB. The handset supports charging via the USB, rendering the SD card inaccessible when you are charging the handset via USB. The battery lasted us for more than a day on a full charge with intermittent use of GPRS (browsing, downloading apps etc) and more than a handful of voice calls and SMSes. This is commendable considering most smartphones barely last a working day and they are not even working on a dual-SIM mode.

Performance

Hate – Staggers/lags at times, average camera

Our verdict For those of you who are desperate to be rid of the burden of two handsets, the Motorola XT800 is definitely an option. It manages both your identities (although only a CDMA-GSM combo) with effortless ease.

With decent multimedia capabilities, connectivity options and a satisfactory battery life, you could definitely consider this as your next Dual-SIM handset.

Rs 31,999 Love – Handles dual identities with ease, decent battery life

The XT800 also froze up a couple of times, especially

With World Cup fever starting to heat up, app developers across all platforms are lapping up the opportunity to create applications that’ll help you keep an eye on the scores. So while it may not be possible to watch an India Vs Australia power playoff on the office telly or stream it on your comp, you can still sneakily get ball-by-ball updates on the match simply by logging on to your favourite cricket app. Ketaki Bhojnagarwala gives you the line-up of the hottest cricket apps out there. Go on, stay glued and cheer the men in blue!

Apple App Store

Howzz‘App’ !

mahananda@thehindu.co.in

Yahoo! Cricket

Cricbuzz Ball-by-ball updates and live radio commentary are just some of the features you’ll find on this cool app.

Price: Free

CricScoredroid

Cricket World Cup 2011 – Live

Cricket WC2011 Exclusive for the World Cup, this app features a Live Scores Ticker as well as push notifications.

Price: Free

NDTV Cricket Live updates and dedicated tabs for Teams, Venues and Rankings. Oh, and did we mention it supports Live TV too?

Price: Free

Cricket ODI Cup 2011 Tracker See the venue of every match on a map. Also, predict the result of a game and share it on Facebook or Email.

Price: $0.99

Android Market

Live scores of all international matches and an interactive score card make this app simple and handy.

Price: Free

This app sets off a reminder before a match is about to start!

In addition to scores, it also features audio commentary.

Price: Free

Log on for live commentary from the world’s leading cricket experts. Also access your favourite players’ twitter feeds.

Price: Free

ESPNcricinfo Push notifications, live game coverage and opinion pieces from the world’s best cricket writers are featured on this app.

Price: Free

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ECB Cricket This app not only gives you the hottest international cricket news, but also lets you keep up to date with England county cricket.

Price: Free

World Cup Cricket – Live Score Get up to date with all the cricket action, without any of the ads!

You can expect a widget with the next update too.

Price: Free

AUTO focus

Unseen, but much felt hand of super luxury Jason H. Harper ulling up to a hot restaurant in West Hollywood in a $302,000 Rolls-Royce feels just as dope as you would imagine. Eyes swivel and the valets get a hungry look.

Pffhhhtt.

That’s the sound of my credibility deflating as I accidentally trigger the windshield wipers, and cleaning fluid douses the entire scene in a fine mist.

So goes living with a Ghost. Over four days motoring around Los Angeles, I sip draughts of the good life, so afforded because of the assumption that I can afford this assemblage of sparkling chrome and butter-cream leather.

The Ghost gets parked in the prime spot every single time.

I also suffered the downsides. Those same valets expect

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hundred-dollar bills to rain from your pockets. Onlookers are disappointed when you exit and they realise you’re not a Kardashian. Hours are wasted worrying about the cost of rubbing one of those enormous, expensive fenders against a curb.

The Ghost, released last year, has been erroneously dubbed the “baby” Royce. While it is smaller than the barge-like, $380,000 Phantom sedan, there’s nothing cherubic about this 17.6-foot-long monolith. It’s an object

The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a Glance Engine: 6.6-liter V-12 with 563 horsepower and 575 pound- feet of torque Transmission: Eight-speed ZF automatic Speed: 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds Gas mileage per gallon: 13 city; 20 highway Price as tested: $302,250 Best features: The ride, the interior, the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament Worst feature: That terribly placed windshield wiper lever Target buyer: The modern queen or king

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intent on broadcasting one’s stature in the world. The long aluminum-color hood, upright grill and barn-sized doors demand attention. I can’t think of a car better suited to L.A. Rolls-Royce is owned by Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), just one example of the colonization of traditional British automobile brands. The bright upshot is that the Ghost is built on the exceptional underpinning of the BMW 7 Series sedan, and rock- solid German engineering lurks throughout.

Dashing details The sturdy ride is complemented by the British-style, coachwork interior, with dashing details like umbrellas hidden inside the doors and frosted interior lights. The Ghost is Europe’s New World Order, showed off in a single

Photo: Bloomberg

Clockwise from top - The 17.6-foot long baby behemoth - The RR-branded umbrella folds and tucks neatly into the slot on the door panel - Acres of creamy white leather and burled wood panel greet you inside the Ghost - Bespoke luxury at its best – the Ghost’s interior can be customised with myriad options

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masterful stroke.

The law of cliches demand that I drive around Beverly Hills and Bel Air, and tourists clutching “star maps” actually flash photos as I wait at a stoplight. (“I don’t recognise him.”) The Royce is perfectly fine for town, but isn’t suited to darting around lanes.

It isn’t until I take the 5,400-plus-pound sedan to the horse farms near Thousand Oaks that the Ghost feels truly settled, loping along soft rolling hills and long straightaways framed by miles of white split-rail fences.

While I’m well aware that tires must touch asphalt, the Ghost gives the impression of being just slightly above it all, a cushion of rarified air keeping the treads millimeters aloft. How else could one explain the floating ride which turns aside potholes?

Gentle rolls You can plow through tight curves, but the traction and stability controls often intercede, suggesting that you’re being a bit crass.

Better to point the wheel straight and let the 6.6-liter V-12 motor take the Ghost to 60 mph in 4.7 very quick seconds. Even then, the surge comes across as a firm but polite hand on your back, a handler guiding you through a crowd. Power is an incredible 563 horses and 575 poundfeet of torque.

You’ve got to ask, though, what would entice a modern guy to purchase this Old-World throwback with its whiff of Churchill-era elitism? It’s hard not to feel class guilt.

The answer is the interior. Stuffed with high-tech items like BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, satellite radio, parking sensors and cameras, it rivals any super-sedan in technology. But a 7 Series doesn’t have an outrageous Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, which automatically lowers into the bonnet when the car is locked.

Three moons Up front, there’s as much space as an SUV, with upright seats and the biggest plate-glass windshield I’ve ever looked through. Dials are three white moons in a sky of black glass. Wood veneers bore me, but I could get lost for

days in the whorls of walnut on my test car - sourced from a single tree.

My one abiding complaint was the location of the wipers, just below the shifter lever. My unintentional window-cleaning incident was repeated many times. The rich aren’t supposed to make mistakes, you see.

The rear is accessed by coach doors that open front-toback (“suicide doors” in American-car parlance). A hidden button closes them automatically.

The base price starts at $246,500, but ownership almost demands accessories. To go without the rear “picnic” tables ($2,800) or rear-seat entertainment system ($9,950) would be like going to the Oscars in a beautiful gown without a lick of jewelry on.

Bentley rival A friend said she wanted to curl up on the $1,100 lambs-

wool floor mats. I couldn’t decide whether I should feel guiltier that my feet weren’t experiencing the softness, or that I’d even consider driving a Rolls-Royce barefoot.

Bentley’s $180,000-plus, four-door Continental Flying Spur is the Ghost’s obvious competitor. Its exterior is more modern and less over-the-top -- your call if that’s a good thing. Electronics like the navigation system are miles behind the Rolls-Royce.

I’ve experienced many cars that handle better, but few that lend such a sense of place and well-being. Even while caught in a long, torturous jam on the freeway, I found myself relaxed, caressing the leather.

So this is what it feels to be like the idling rich.

(The author writes about autos for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

Maruti Swift and VW Polo share honours in TNS study Team Smartbuy hile car market leader Maruti Suzuki India’s vehicles continue to hog many of the top slots, German passenger car brand Volkswagen has seen the biggest gains in the latest edition of the Total Customer Satisfaction study conducted by TNS specialist division – TNS Automotive.

In the year 2010, car sales grew by almost 30 per cent.

Popular models such as Swift, Swift Dzire, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo and the Toyota Fortuner had long waiting lists. However, according to TNS’ study – the 2010 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS), the car industry continued to provide a high level of customer satisfaction even when the customers had to wait to buy cars of their choice.

The study is a good indicator of the post-purchase satisfaction levels amongst car buyers. Some of the interesting pointers thrown up by the study are about the geographic differences in satisfaction levels.

Car owners in Northern India are relatively less satisfied compared to those in other parts of the country. The

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quality of after sales service seems to be the primary reason particularly as the age of the car grows. At the national level, customers in the relatively larger cities are more satisfied than those in the smaller cities. This may be a reflection of the growing expectations in the smaller cities. The manufacturers will do well to understand those rising quality expectations said the study.

The customer expectations even at the bottom end are rising. The owners of Tata Nano expect more in terms of design and Maruti 800 owners expect better servicing as the years go by.

Also according to the study, relatively higher priced cars are able to deliver better satisfaction which shows that the Indian consumer respects value even if the price is higher. The satisfaction scores of the models in the Upper Premium Compact, Premium Midsize and Premium SUVs are among the highest.

Overall, the industry score has largely remained the same (90), indicating highly stable user relationships.

However, some traditionally strong models have seen a dip in scores this year. Interestingly, this year, two of the

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first time evaluated models (as they have gained critical mass in the market in their respective segments), emerged as the top ones (Volkswagen Polo in Upper Premium Compact jointly with Maruti Swift and Volkswagen Passat in the Entry Luxury category).

That the competition is getting intense is evident from the fact that in many of the segments the scores are very close and there are joint toppers in a number of segments.

The study does not include many of the models launched towards the end of the calendar year 2010.

The 2010 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS) study conducted by TNS specialist division, TNS Automotive, is the largest syndicated automotive study in India, representing the responses of around 9,300 new car buyers.

This comprehensive study covered 56 models with customer evaluations taken in the key areas of sales satisfaction, product quality, vehicle performance and design, after sales service, brand image, and cost-of-ownership.

The TCS index score provides a measure of Total Satisfaction and loyalty a given model enjoys with its customers

MELANGE luxury redefined

Spring beauties Fluttering butterflies, pretty flowers and nature at its best…

Swarovski’s Spring Summer range of jewellery and accessories called Wings of poetry is flora ‘n’ fauna at its lavish, sparkly best. Head to Swarovski boutiques for more.

Rs 25,000 (necklace in pic)

Drawing ‘Castell’ With gorgeous Russian jade being the cynosure of Faber Castell’s newest writing instrument, this ‘Pen of the year 2011’ also has a bi-colour gold nib and platinum-plated fittings to boast of. Available at William Penn stores, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Rs 2.5 lakh approx

Framed with luminous jewels and striking a pink, blue and crystal silhouette, Elizabeth Arden’s fragrance with Britney Spears called Radiance is a feminine treasure for Women’s Day. Head to select lifestyle stores for more.

Baby one more time!

Rs 2,730 (50ml) and Rs 3,280 (100ml)

On a high The simple and plain-Jane Mary Janes get a glamourous makeover in the form of Fendi’s Super Platform Mary Jane Sandal. With grosgrain fabric and cork and eye-catching colour combos, this one is a must ‘climb-into’!

Available at its store in Emporio Mall, New Delhi.

Rs 40,459

Water, water!

If the aqua spirits of Giorgio Armani’s Acqua Di Gio and Acqua di Gioia blew you over, then its limited edition fragrance for men and women, part of its commitment to promote access to drinking water, can be your next pick for its good cause and its good top note. Available at select lifestyle stores.

Rs 4,500 (100ml – men), Rs 5,200 (100ml – women)

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FLASHING pearlies

Akoya pearls: Mikimoto

String together a treasure from the sea Anushya Mamtora mong many other jewellery launches and newsletters in our inbox last week, one particular mail caught our eye. It simply read ‘How to choose the perfect strand’. The fact that it came from Mikimoto, one of the world’s best pearl jewellery brands, only doubled the curiosity. Choker for the teens, the slightly longer Princess for young women, Matinee for the 30 plus and the rope like Opera for the charming old ladies, choosing the ideal strand of pearl was immediately made simple. However, it’s not only the length of the pearl necklace which leaves pearl jewellery lovers confused.

How to pick the right kind, size and colour of pearls, whether to opt for beaded cultured ones or nature’s own creation? These doubts persist when you stand amidst a gorgeous collection of Akoya or South Sea pearls, golden,

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white, pink and black beauties, baroques, drops and perfect rounds, all vying for your attention.

Here’s a simple low-down on some interesting and important facts, varieties and trends on wearing pearls.

On the jewellery stand When you peer into a jewellery showcase, you are likely to encounter the following.

Natural pearls: These pearls are formed by shelled molluscs when they produce a composite material to react to an irritant that gets trapped inside. Layers and layers of this ‘nacre’ is what form a pearl. Such pearls formed without human intervention is rare and at times requires searching hundreds of pearl oysters and mussels to find

Fire & Ice necklace with Tahitian pearls: Ganjam Pearl ring: Mikimoto

one perfect pearl. No wonder, it costs a small fortune.

Cultured pearls: Similar to natural pearls, cultured pearls also grow inside molluscs but under controlled environments and human intervention. These pearls are widely available and used extensively in jewellery. Cultured pearls can be beaded and beadless. In beaded pearls, the farmer opens the shell of the mollusc carefully and inserts a nucleus bead (a polished round made from freshwater mussel shell depending on the final shape of the pearl he desires) along with a piece of mantle tissue. This kicks-in its defence mechanism and layers of organic substance is secreted around the bead, giving birth to the pearl.

Some popular beaded pearls are: Akoya: The most lustrous of the lot, these saltwater pearls are produced by Akoya oysters. The perfect round, white lustrous pearl you might come across is usually an

Tahitian pearl earring: Zoya

Akoya. It also comes in shades of cream, pink, silver, light greens and blue. The diameter is usually around 3 to 7 mm depending on the size of the oyster.

South Sea: The white radiant one comes from silver lipped oysters and the golden one from gold lipped oysters.

Larger than the other pearls, the South Sea ones are about 9mm diameter and are also the most expensive.

Tahiti: The fascinating black pearl produced by black oysters is called Tahitian pearls as the oysters are found more in the waters of Tahiti and Okinawa. The colours range from midnight black to grey with green, blue and red accents and begin at 8mm.

The beadless pearls have only the tissue and not the nucleus bead. Chinese cultured pearls are very popular in this category.

Workmanship rules. However expensive and rare the pearl, transforming it into jewellery requires the delicate hand of an expert. Take a keen look at the drilling of the pearls to string it in; if not done properly, the fall with vary.

Creating a jewel Though the cost of pearls are usually far behind that of precious metals and stones, it finds prominence in high-end pieces of jewellery.

A lone strand of gleaming pearls is a musthave jewel to own and cuts across fashion styles of yore and present. Whether used as a necklace or bracelet, the pearls make a statement of its own. Simple pearl studs also feature in the jewel cases of most fashionable women.

However, the eternal pairing of pearls with diamonds is a hit among brands and jewellery lovers. Be it pink, black or pristine white, the colours of the pearls bring out the best in a diamond and the sparkle of diamonds adds more charm to the pearls.

Japanese brand Mikimoto, one of the biggest names in pearls has a fascinating range of jewellery using Akoya, South Sea white and gold, Tahiti, Freshwater cultured and Conch pearls. Some of its best pieces include Dancing Drops choker with diamonds, white South Sea Couture ring and Empress necklace and ring made with pink conch pearls. Australian major Paspaley is a specialist in South Sea pearls and have transformed them into stunning pieces of jewellery. Its latest Marquise collection is a striking interplay of tanzanite, diamonds and pearls.

The Indian jewellery scene is also replete with pearls.

Though India doesn’t have a pearl farm of its own and imports all its pearls, traditional jewellery as well as contemporary ones uses pearls of different kinds. Popular traditional ornaments that are used even today, especially during weddings, like panchlara (five strand necklace), waist band and haath-phool, sees extensive use of pearls of all sizes and shapes.

If you are looking for exclusive collections here, luxury jewellery maker Ganjam’s Fire & Ice collection with Tahitian pearls and Le Jardin collection is worth checking out.

Mirari’s Baroque pieces, Jaipur Gem’s South Sea pearls bracelet, Rose’s Sautoir Pendant and Zoya’s Tahitian pearl earrings are a treat to own.

But nothing can come close to the unmatched elegance of a simple string of pearls. This Queen of Gems will charm you till eternity.

Sizing up the pearl!

With so many imitation pearls penetrating the jewellery market, it’s difficult to pick the real from the fake. But buying from a reputed brand ensures that your pearl is authentic. However, if you were to pick some to make your own strand, here are some important grading parameters.

The first look. Is the pearl lustrous with that lovely sheen to it? Lustre is what gives a pearl its charm. Apart from smoothness and clarity, the depth of the nacre or its layers also adds to the lustre of the pearl. The nacre thickness is in fact testimony to the number of years the pearl has been cultured. The more, the better.

The perfect size and shape. Depending on how you want to play up the pearls in your jewellery, it’s vital to decide the right size and an appropriate shape. The larger the size or carat, the costlier the pearl. Some popular shapes are rounds, semi-spherical or mabe pearls, tear-drops, rice, oval and baroque.

The smooth feel. Though there’s nothing called the flawless pearl, evenly surfaced ones have more lustre, look better and are priced higher.

The gorgeous hue. You may love the pink hint or subtle grey, but don’t forget to find out if the colour is natural or the pearl is dyed. Also, while white is the most sought after and expensive, including ones with the pink sheen, yellow is the cheapest, followed by cream.

If you want to confirm if the pearl is genuine or fake, use a good magnifying glass; the fake one will appear grainy.

Panchlara (above) and Baroque necklace: Mirari

Rose Sautoir pendant with South Sea pearl Mikimoto earrings and collection of different pearls

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TASTER’S choice

Bitter brew becomes trendy Amaro cocktails John Mariani had just sat down at a restaurant named Caval d’Brons, set above Turin’s Piazza San Carlo, and ordered Piedmontese specialties like tiny meatstuffed ravioli called plin, with a butter and sage sauce, and vitello tonnato, made with slices of veal in a creamy tuna sauce. But first I was presented with a little appetite starter - a rosy slice of culatello ham, a taste of Castelmagno cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar, and a small glass of the Italian cordial called Amaro.

It was no more than a sip or two, syrupy, herbaceous and bittersweet, a perfect spur to the palate. Now, since arriving home from Italy, I’ve been serving it before dinner to friends.

Italy produces scores of Amaros, whose name means bitter but whose sweet flavors are a complexity of herbs, spices and citrus rinds, including gentian, angelica, lemon verbena, ginger, mint, thyme, licorice, cinnamon and menthol. Made with 16 to 35 per cent alcohol, Amaros are drunk either as an aperitif on the rocks or in cocktails.

More commonly in Italy, Amaros are taken as a digestive after a meal. In fact, their origins lie in the medicine cabinets of medieval monasteries, concocted by monks as aids to digestion and good health.

If you want to know what those early medicines tasted like, buy a bottle of Fernet Branca, a commercial Milanbased brand of Amaro. It is a dark and potent brew - with up to 45 per cent alcohol. Made from 27 herbs and spices, including Iranian saffron, South African aloe and French gentian, and then aged for a year, Fernet Branca’s ad motto is “It is worth the bitterness.”

I

Bitter price It is indeed very acrid, so some use it as cocktail bitters.

Still, even many of its advocates grimace upon knocking it back after a huge meal to settle a queasy stomach. I am one of those reluctant advocates, so that is the price I pay for being raised a Catholic taught to believe the sin of gluttony must be punished with bitterness.

The best known, sweeter Amaro is Campari, the garnet red spirit usually drunk on the rocks with a twist of lemon or as a component in the classic Italian cocktails, the americano and negroni. Vermouth too is an Amaro (the word comes from the German wermut for wormwood), first produced by Turin-based Antonio Benedetto Carpano in 1786. In fact, the Amaro I was served at Caval d’Brons was Carpano’s “Antica Formula”.

Bitter sweet The Carpano firm (now owned by Fratelli Branca) also

Photo: Bloomberg

makes the popular Punt e Mes, which means, in Piedmontese dialect, “point and a half,” said to refer to a point-and-a-half rise in the stock market that once greatly benefited the company.

Other fairly well known Amaro brands available in Europe, South America, and the U.S. include Averna, Ramazzotti and Cynar, all at least as sweet as they are bitter.

I set out to find some more unusual Amaros in the market, heading to Mt. Carmel Wine & Spirits on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, a superb repository of Italian wine and spirits. Here are some Amaros I particularly liked.

Amaro Lucano ($24.99) This minty, liqueur-like Amaro has been made in the province of Madera in Basilicata since 1894. Roasted hazelnuts, orange notes and a lingering bitter-sweetness make for a delicious way to begin or end an evening.

S. Maria al Monte Amaro Naturale ($26.99) Hefty, at 40 per cent alcohol, this Ligurian Amaro has a deep mahogany colour, is of medium body and is quite bitter, with an aroma that is instantly evocative of incense

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used at Sunday mass. A good Catholic could sniff it and fall to his knees. Best after dinner.

Ditta Bortolo Nardini ($44.99) Claiming to be Italy’s oldest distillery (1779), Nardini, in the Veneto, is best known for its grappas. Its premiumpriced Amaro pours like maple syrup into the glass and delivers a beautifully nuanced bouquet and what tastes like scores of carefully blended herbs and spices. You could have this on pancakes.

Nonino Amaro ($36.99) This Friulian distillery almost singlehandedly changed grappa’s image from moonshine to connoisseur’s brandy twenty years ago.

There’s no mistaking the refined hand of the family in this exquisitely crafted Amaro, with an impeccable balance of bitterness, sweetness, fruit and spice that would be every bit as welcome after dinner as a vintage Port.

(The author writes on wine for Bloomberg News.

The opinions expressed are his own.)

BEVERAGE launch

Spirited addition

Women’s special

Aspri Spirits adds another wine brand to its list, The German Black Tower wines. The India launch includes the smooth and fruity white Rivaner, crisp Riesling and a lively Dornfelder Pinot Noir. Available at leading hotels, restaurants and select retail outlets.

Rs 1,295 onwards

Celebrating Woman’s Day is Nirvana Biosys with its She Rose Sparkling wine cased in a pretty pink bottle. Sweet to sip and low on alcohol, the wine is a neat aperitif and can be paired with spicy Asian cuisine.

Rs 380 (750ml)

Vintage mouthful Vineyards has launched its Collection De Platine reserve portfolio, which includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Reserva and Rose Sparkling Brut. This exclusive range has been aged in French oak barrels and boasts humble tannins, velvet textures and oaky flavours.

Rs 1,102 to Rs 1,680

Vinsura

A fine blend A deep golden amber hue, sweet and a balanced nose, full-bodied creamy texture and long and slightly dry finish, makes the latest Dewar Signature a smooth Scotch.

Each bottle is individually numbered and is available at select wine shops across New Delhi.

Rs 14,670

Wemyss in India Delhi Duty Free has introduced an exclusive range of premium single malt whiskies from the Wemyss distillery. The ‘Single cask collection’ on offer includes Autumn Leaves 1997, The Herb Garden 1989, Ginger Treacle 1991 and Freshly Cut Grass 1990. Also, a selection of blended whiskies like Smooth Gentleman, Spice King and Peat Chimney 12-year-olds will also be available.

Price on request

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