Smartbuy issue dated March 9, 2011

SmartbuyWednesday, March 9, 2011

G A D G E T S | A U T O | L U X U R Y www.blsmartbuy.com

Business Line

Apple iPad 2India’s first hands-on previewPage 4

2 March 9, 2011Smartbuy

WHAT’S HOT this week

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 functionas a charger for most USB-enabled devices. MTT technology guarantees aspeed of 12 Mbps on every port, and surge protection ensures that none ofyour devices are damaged.Rs 1,100

Team SmartbuyEditorial

Anushya [email protected]

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Mahananda [email protected]

[email protected]

Design

Bryan [email protected]

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Ultra-thin at only 24mm andweighing 1.25 kg, the 10.1-

inch Aspire One Happynetbook lets you

network, play and stayin touch longer with

your close ones, thanksto its 8-hour battery

power. The LED-backlitnetbook runs on a dual OS,

Windows 7 and Google’s AndroidOS. The netbook also comes with

an internal hard disk with up to 320GB of capacity and a built-in multi-card

reader for convenient storage and filesharing options. Choose from its vibrantrange of colours - Candy Pink, LavenderPurple, Lime Green and Hawaii Blue. Rs 17,999

This new flash drive from Transcend isas chic as it is handy. Encased in asilver tone metallic case, it features aclassic checkerboard pattern. It alsocomes with a convenient retractableUSB connector. JetFlash Elite datasoftware which comes with the devicelets you use it as a key to log intowebsite accounts, as well astemporarily lock a computer.Rs 700 (4GB) Rs 1,120 (8GB)Rs 2,290 (16GB)

Port-a-licious Amkette Turbo

Connect in a flashTranscend JetFlash 560

Colour me a rainbow!Acer Aspire One Happy

Cover Photos: Bloomberg


The new Waterfall SERIO speakers are based around a3-inch Atohm transducer, inside a die-cast aluminium

chassis with a safety-glass surround. The system features thepatented Heatstream technology that couples the speaker’s

voice coil to the unit’s aluminium body to disperse heatefficiently. It is available in three colours: black, white andsilver with harmonising grilles that can be customised in

orange and green.Rs 30,000 onwards

The V350 smartphone is adual-SIM smartphone from

Viewsonic that runs onAndroid Froyo (Ver 2.2).

With a 3.5-inch display, thehandset comes with a HVGA

capacitive touch screen,5-megapixel auto-focus

camera, micro-SD expansion,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 andassisted GPS navigation.

To be announced

This new DSLR from Sony features Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows for high-speedcontinuous shooting with continuous Autofocus. It also allows continuous Autofocus during Full HDAVCHD video recording. This 16.2-megger also features an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, 3D Sweep

Panorama and Geotagging.Rs 47,990

Quick snapping Sony Alpha 55

Seeing double?Viewsonic V350

Move to the rhythmWaterfall HFM 2.1 SERIO


TABLET preview

Facing a wish-list a mile long from its users, Applewas never going to be able to satisfy everyone withthe launch of the iPad 2 last week. A front-facingcamera and a slimmer design were obvious expec-

tations, though demands for USB ports to a clearer screento better connectivity were among the numerous ‘What-we’d-like-to-see-in-the-new-iPad’ options that wendedtheir way online.

When I tried out the iPad 2 at the unveiling, it offeredfew surprises when it came to radical changes and as itturned out this isn’t the “entirely new device,” that CEOSteve Jobs cooed about at the launch. Not that this canentirely 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 inboth the black and white versions.

Sleeker 2Visually, the iPad 2 does look and feel somewhat differentthan its predecessor. Apple has knocked a third off itswidth and 90 grams off its weight, and given it slightlysleeker edges – it makes the previous version feel and lookdistinctly clunkier.

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

The mute button on the iPad 2 has a twist that will beparticularly appealing to eBooks fans. The switch doublesup as a screen rotation lock – you can tweak this feature inthe tablet’s settings menu. Should you want a ready way touse both options, once you set the mute button to yourpreferred choice, the option to do the other will automat-

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

2 Fast 2 FastidiousAnd of course there are the much-trumpeted cameras –front and rear facing – which finally (the slot was alreadythere in the first-gen iPad) bring Apple’s video confer-encing FaceTime technology – and Photobooth – to theiPad. Dialling up, I found the sound and image quality to beexcellent, and there is a nice little feature where you canswitch between the two cameras while you are talking.Apple has changed the position of the speaker – it’s nowlarger and on the back of the iPad rather than at the bottomedge – though there isn’t a noticeable difference in quality.However, it continues to be only a single speaker monooutput.

Notwithstanding all the chatter surrounding the health of SteveJobs, the launch of Apple’s iPad 2 was already going to be a

keenly watched event. In less than a year since launch, will thissell-out tablet from Apple surpass the predecessor? VIDYA RAM

grabbed one at the launch in UK and here’s her first experiencereport for an Indian audience


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

To test the new iPad’s faster performance I tried thegame ‘Infinity Blade’ and it gave me a good feel of thechange in graphic speeds, with monsters travelling seam-lessly through battle scenes and chapters loading upquicker.

The tablet also comes with the new iOS 4.3 operatingsystem, which settles some of the other complaints itspredecessor had faced.

Moving between websites on the Safari browserthrough the local Wi-Fi connection certainly feels faster.It’s also brought in changes to AirPlay which means homevideos and other apps can be shared.

Apps and smart covers tooHowever, it is in some of the new apps that have beenintroduced that the device’s full capabilities become ap-parent. They’ve introduced iMovies for the iPad whereyou can shoot, edit and share movies. For a movie-editingnovice the app is relatively straightforward and a simpletimeline means you can easily ‘cut’ and move around bitsof clips with your finger, and add a couple of layers ofsound, including your voice, to give it a real documentary-ish feel. Equally impressive is the new GarageBand app,which allows you to while away time on a range of virtualinstruments from guitars to drums, varying the intensity ofthe note with your touch.

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

snap back individually or together off the screen, and rollinto a triangle to use as a prop for the tablet. Spreading thewhole cover on the iPad 2 automatically puts it to sleep,while lifting just one panel can awaken it. I think it’s greatfor saving battery life. (On that count, the device has thesame ten-hour battery life as the original). There are arange of ten colours available for the covers – split be-tween polyurethane and leather – the latter being definite-ly more elegant.

Overall, the new iPad 2 strikes a clever enough balance:pitched at the same prices as the original, it offers enoughto entice those on the verge of being convinced by itspredecessor, while withholding enough to keep up theexcitement for an iPad 3, altogether probably enough tokeep its rivals at bay for a while longer.Price : US $ 499 to 829

India launch date and prices yet to be [email protected]


SMARTPHONE review

Mahananda Bohidar

Are you tired of juggling between your twosmartphones in your attempt to constantly bein the loop with your professional and personallife? Given the choice, many of us might want to

do away with the two handsets finding permanent place inour handbags or pockets. The obvious thing to do would beto go for a dual-SIM handset, but a big chunk of thoseavailable in the market are of questionable make.

And wouldn’t that ultra-affordable dual-SIM even fromauthentic brands seem a little too glaringly cheap in thatboard-room meeting? What could possibly solve this di-lemma is the first Android-dual SIM handset to belaunched, the XT800 from Motorola.

In the boxAn obviously high-end smartphone, the XT800 offers toconveniently integrate two mobile identities, albeit only aCDMA and GSM combination. A feature which we think istargeted at globe trotters who often find themselves ingeographies where their SIM’s network is weak or worseisn’t supported. Unlike older dual-SIM handsets whichwere only a ‘standby’ dual-SIM where you could use onlyone identity at a time and the other was on standby, theXT800 allows you to operate both SIM cards simultane-

ously. The XT800, with its sleek metal bezel and touch-sensi-

tive buttons, looks every bit your modern weapon ofchoice. 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 toserve as a shortcut to the Camera app as well as the Shutterbutton once the app is launched.

You get five homescreens to play around with. Connec-tivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS are displayed in aneat row which is a tap away whenever you want to tweakthese settings. The same applies to GPRS and you have theoption to activate this and choose either your CDMA orGSM connection . These options being accessible directlyfrom the homescreen and being easy to activate saves youthe trouble of digging deep into ‘Settings’ every time youwant to make changes.

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

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

voice call or to send an SMS, you are given the option ofdoing it either via the CDMA network or the GSM one.Whenever you want to store a business card or an SMS youare given the option to do so either on your CDMA or GSMSIM card.

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

The quality of voice calls was clear and we had almostno dropped calls. Every time we received a call on thehandset it would show us whether it was being made to theGSM network or the CDMA network.

The native browser was prompt and the loading time onmost websites was kept to the minimum with decentpinch-to-zoom options.

MultimediaThe Motorola XT800 is endowed with a 5-megger but theresults were far from stunning. Even portraits clicked in awell-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 modeson the camera along with the regular gamut of coloursettings (Sepia, Solarise etc) to choose from. Except for

Do away with double

troubleMotorola XT800

Photos: S.S. Kumar


CricScoredroidThis app sets off a reminder

before a match is about to start!In addition to scores, it alsofeatures audio commentary.

Price: Free

With World Cup fever starting to heat up, app developers across all platforms are lapping up theopportunity to create applications that’ll help you keep an eye on the scores. So while it may not bepossible 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, stayglued and cheer the men in blue!

Howzz‘App’ !

Cricket WC2011Exclusive for the World Cup,this app features a Live Scores

Ticker as well as pushnotifications.

Price: Free

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

Transferring media files from a source on to the XT800was an easy drag-and-drop process and the handset recog-nised the files transferred with ease. Once you’ve loadedthe XT800 with multimedia, you can hook it up to yourhigh-def telly with the mini-HDMI cable that’s includedin the box.

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

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

PerformanceThe XT800 also froze up a couple of times, especially

when we had had an app open and locked the screen withthe function still running in the background. The handsetthat we reviewed came with a 2GB add-on memory cardand the external memory on the XT800 is expandable upto 32GB.

The handset supports charging via the USB, renderingthe SD card inaccessible when you are charging the hand-set via USB. The battery lasted us for more than a day on afull charge with intermittent use of GPRS (browsing,downloading apps etc) and more than a handful of voicecalls and SMSes. This is commendable considering mostsmartphones barely last a working day and they are noteven working on a dual-SIM mode.

Our verdictFor those of you who are desperate to be rid of the burdenof two handsets, the Motorola XT800 is definitely anoption. It manages both your identities (although only aCDMA-GSM combo) with effortless ease.

With decent multimedia capabilities, connectivity op-tions and a satisfactory battery life, you could definitelyconsider this as your next Dual-SIM handset.

RRss 3311,,999999

Love – Handles dual identities with ease, decent battery life

Hate – Staggers/lags at times, average [email protected]

App

le A

pp S

tore

Yahoo! CricketLive scores of all international

matches and an interactivescore card make this app

simple and handy.Price: Free

Cricket ODI Cup 2011 Tracker

See the venue of every matchon a map. Also, predict the

result of a game and share iton Facebook or Email.

Price: $0.99

CricbuzzBall-by-ball updates and live

radio commentary are justsome of the features you’ll

find on this cool app. Price: Free

NDTV CricketLive updates and dedicatedtabs for Teams, Venues and

Rankings. Oh, and did wemention it supports Live TV

too?Price: Free

And

roid

Mar

ket

ESPNcricinfoPush notifications, live gamecoverage and opinion piecesfrom the world’s best cricket

writers are featured on this app.Price: Free

Cricket World Cup 2011– Live

Log on for live commentary fromthe world’s leading cricketexperts. Also access your

favourite players’ twitter feeds.Price: Free

World Cup Cricket –Live Score

Get up to date with all the cricketaction, without any of the ads!

You can expect a widget with thenext update too.

Price: Free

ECB CricketThis app not only gives you the

hottest international cricketnews, but also lets you keep up

to date with England countycricket.

Price: Free

Unseen, but much felt hand of super luxuryJason H. Harper

Pulling up to a hot restaurant in West Hollywoodin a $302,000 Rolls-Royce feels just as dope asyou would imagine. Eyes swivel and the valetsget a hungry look.

Pffhhhtt. That’s the sound of my credibility deflating as I acciden-

tally trigger the windshield wipers, and cleaning fluiddouses the entire scene in a fine mist.

So goes living with a Ghost. Over four days motoringaround Los Angeles, I sip draughts of the good life, soafforded because of the assumption that I can afford thisassemblage 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

hundred-dollar bills to rain from your pockets. Onlookersare disappointed when you exit and they realise you’re nota Kardashian. Hours are wasted worrying about the cost ofrubbing one of those enormous, expensive fenders againsta curb.

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

intent on broadcasting one’s stature in the world. The longaluminum-color hood, upright grill and barn-sized doorsdemand 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 traditionalBritish automobile brands. The bright upshot is that theGhost is built on the exceptional underpinning of theBMW 7 Series sedan, and rock- solid German engineeringlurks throughout.

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


AUTO focus

The 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a GlanceEngine: 6.6-liter V-12 with 563 horsepowerand 575 pound- feet of torque Transmission: Eight-speed ZF automaticSpeed: 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds Gas mileage per gallon: 13 city; 20 highwayPrice as tested: $302,250Best features: The ride, the interior, the Spiritof Ecstasy hood ornamentWorst feature: That terribly placedwindshield wiper lever Target buyer: The modern queen or king


Photo: Bloomberg

Clockwise from top

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


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

My one abiding complaint was the location of the wip-ers, just below the shifter lever. My unintentional win-dow-cleaning incident was repeated many times. The richaren’t supposed to make mistakes, you see.

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

The base price starts at $246,500, but ownership almostdemands 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 beautifulgown without a lick of jewelry on.

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

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

Bentley’s $180,000-plus, four-door Continental FlyingSpur is the Ghost’s obvious competitor. Its exterior ismore modern and less over-the-top -- your call if that’s agood thing. Electronics like the navigation system aremiles behind the Rolls-Royce.

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

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

masterful stroke. The law of cliches demand that I drive around Beverly

Hills and Bel Air, and tourists clutching “star maps” ac-tually flash photos as I wait at a stoplight. (“I don’t recog-nise him.”) The Royce is perfectly fine for town, but isn’tsuited to darting around lanes.

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

While I’m well aware that tires must touch asphalt, theGhost gives the impression of being just slightly above itall, a cushion of rarified air keeping the treads millimetersaloft. How else could one explain the floating ride whichturns aside potholes?

Gentle rollsYou can plow through tight curves, but the traction andstability controls often intercede, suggesting that you’rebeing a bit crass.

Better to point the wheel straight and let the 6.6-literV-12 motor take the Ghost to 60 mph in 4.7 very quickseconds. Even then, the surge comes across as a firm butpolite hand on your back, a handler guiding you through acrowd. Power is an incredible 563 horses and 575 pound-feet of torque.

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

The answer is the interior. Stuffed with high-tech itemslike BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, satellite radio,parking sensors and cameras, it rivals any super-sedan intechnology. But a 7 Series doesn’t have an outrageousSpirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, which automaticallylowers into the bonnet when the car is locked.

Three moonsUp front, there’s as much space as an SUV, with uprightseats and the biggest plate-glass windshield I’ve everlooked through. Dials are three white moons in a sky ofblack glass. Wood veneers bore me, but I could get lost for

(The author writes about autos for Muse, thearts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The

opinions expressed are his own.)

Team Smartbuy

While car market leader Maruti Suzuki India’s vehi-cles continue to hog many of the top slots, German

passenger car brand Volkswagen has seen the biggestgains in the latest edition of the Total Customer Satis-faction study conducted by TNS specialist division – TNSAutomotive.

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 wait-ing lists. However, according to TNS’ study – the 2010four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction (TCS), the carindustry continued to provide a high level of customersatisfaction even when the customers had to wait to buycars of their choice.

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

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

quality of after sales service seems to be the primaryreason particularly as the age of the car grows. At thenational level, customers in the relatively larger cities aremore satisfied than those in the smaller cities. This may bea reflection of the growing expectations in the smallercities. The manufacturers will do well to understand thoserising quality expectations said the study.

The customer expectations even at the bottom end arerising. The owners of Tata Nano expect more in terms ofdesign and Maruti 800 owners expect better servicing asthe years go by.

Also according to the study, relatively higher pricedcars are able to deliver better satisfaction which showsthat the Indian consumer respects value even if the price ishigher. The satisfaction scores of the models in the UpperPremium Compact, Premium Midsize and Premium SUVsare among the highest.

Overall, the industry score has largely remained thesame (90), indicating highly stable user relationships.However, some traditionally strong models have seen adip in scores this year. Interestingly, this year, two of the

first time evaluated models (as they have gained criticalmass in the market in their respective segments), emergedas the top ones (Volkswagen Polo in Upper PremiumCompact jointly with Maruti Swift and Volkswagen Passatin the Entry Luxury category).

That the competition is getting intense is evident fromthe fact that in many of the segments the scores are veryclose and there are joint toppers in a number of segments.The study does not include many of the models launchedtowards the end of the calendar year 2010.

The 2010 four-wheeler Total Customer Satisfaction(TCS) study conducted by TNS specialist division, TNSAutomotive, is the largest syndicated automotive study inIndia, representing the responses of around 9,300 new carbuyers.

This comprehensive study covered 56 models with cus-tomer evaluations taken in the key areas of sales satis-faction, product quality, vehicle performance and design,after sales service, brand image, and cost-of-ownership.The TCS index score provides a measure of Total Satis-faction and loyalty a given model enjoys with its customers

Maruti Swift and VW Polo share honours in TNS study


MELANGE luxury redefined

Framed with luminous jewels and striking apink, blue and crystal silhouette, ElizabethArden’s fragrance with Britney Spears calledRadiance is a feminine treasure for Women’sDay. Head to select lifestyle stores for more.

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

With gorgeous Russian jade being the cynosure of Faber Castell’s newestwriting instrument, this ‘Pen of the year 2011’ also has a bi-colour goldnib and platinum-plated fittings to boast of. Available at William Pennstores, New Delhi and Mumbai.Rs 2.5 lakh approx

Drawing ‘Castell’

The simple and plain-Jane Mary Janes get aglamourous makeover in the form of Fendi’s

Super Platform Mary Jane Sandal. Withgrosgrain fabric and cork andeye-catching colour combos, thisone is a must ‘climb-into’!

Available at its store inEmporio Mall, New Delhi.

Rs 40,459

On a high

Baby one more time!

Water, water!If the aqua spirits of Giorgio Armani’s Acqua Di Gio and Acqua di Gioia blewyou over, then its limited edition fragrance for men and women, part of itscommitment to promote access to drinking water, can be your next pick forits good cause and its good top note. Available at select lifestyle stores.Rs 4,500 (100ml – men), Rs 5,200 (100ml – women)

Springbeauties

Fluttering butterflies,pretty flowers andnature at its best…Swarovski’s SpringSummer range of

jewellery andaccessories called

Wings of poetry is flora‘n’ fauna at its lavish,sparkly best. Head toSwarovski boutiques

for more.Rs 25,000 (necklace

in pic)

FLASHING pearlies

Anushya Mamtora

Among many other jewellery launches and news-letters in our inbox last week, one particularmail caught our eye. It simply read ‘How tochoose the perfect strand’. The fact that it came

from Mikimoto, one of the world’s best pearl jewellerybrands, only doubled the curiosity. Choker for the teens,the slightly longer Princess for young women, Matinee forthe 30 plus and the rope like Opera for the charming oldladies, choosing the ideal strand of pearl was immediatelymade simple. However, it’s not only the length of the pearlnecklace 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 owncreation? These doubts persist when you stand amidst agorgeous collection of Akoya or South Sea pearls, golden,

white, pink and black beauties, baroques, drops and per-fect rounds, all vying for your attention.

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

On the jewellery standWhen you peer into a jewellery showcase, you are likely toencounter the following.

Natural pearls: These pearls are formed by shelledmolluscs when they produce a composite material to reactto an irritant that gets trapped inside. Layers and layers ofthis ‘nacre’ is what form a pearl. Such pearls formedwithout human intervention is rare and at times requiressearching hundreds of pearl oysters and mussels to find

one perfect pearl. No wonder, it costs a small fortune.Cultured pearls: Similar to natural pearls, cultured

pearls also grow inside molluscs but under controlledenvironments and human intervention. These pearls arewidely available and used extensively in jewellery. Cultur-ed pearls can be beaded and beadless. In beaded pearls, thefarmer opens the shell of the mollusc carefully and insertsa nucleus bead (a polished round made from freshwatermussel shell depending on the final shape of the pearl hedesires) along with a piece of mantle tissue. This kicks-inits defence mechanism and layers of organic substance issecreted 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

String together a treasure from the seaAkoya pearls: Mikimoto

Pearl ring: Mikimoto

Fire & Ice necklacewith Tahitian pearls:

GanjamTahitian pearl earring:

Zoya


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

South Sea: The white radiant onecomes from silver lipped oysters and thegolden one from gold lipped oysters.Larger than the other pearls, the South Seaones are about 9mm diameter and are alsothe most expensive.

Tahiti: The fascinating black pearl pro-duced by black oysters is called Tahitianpearls as the oysters are found more in thewaters of Tahiti and Okinawa. The coloursrange from midnight black to grey with green,blue and red accents and begin at 8mm.

The beadless pearls have only the tissue andnot the nucleus bead. Chinese cultured pearlsare very popular in this category.

Sizing up the pearl!With so many imitation pearls penetrating the jew-ellery market, it’s difficult to pick the real from thefake. But buying from a reputed brand ensures thatyour pearl is authentic. However, if you were to picksome to make your own strand, here are some impor-tant grading parameters.

The first look. Is the pearl lustrous with that lovelysheen to it? Lustre is what gives a pearl its charm. Apartfrom smoothness and clarity, the depth of the nacre or itslayers also adds to the lustre of the pearl. The nacrethickness is in fact testimony to the number of years thepearl has been cultured. The more, the better.

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

The smooth feel. Though there’s nothing called theflawless pearl, evenly surfaced ones have more lustre, lookbetter and are priced higher.

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

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

Mikimoto earrings and collectionof different pearls

Panchlara (above) andBaroque necklace: Mirari

Rose Sautoir pendant withSouth Sea pearl

Workmanship rules. However expensive andrare the pearl, transforming it into jewelleryrequires the delicate hand of an expert. Take akeen look at the drilling of the pearls to string itin; if not done properly, the fall with vary.

Creating a jewelThough the cost of pearls are usually far be-hind that of precious metals and stones, it findsprominence in high-end pieces of jewellery.

A lone strand of gleaming pearls is a must-have jewel to own and cuts across fashion stylesof yore and present. Whether used as a necklace

or bracelet, the pearls make a statement of itsown. Simple pearl studs also feature in the jewel

cases of most fashionable women. However, the eternal pairing of pearls with dia-

monds is a hit among brands and jewellery lovers. Beit pink, black or pristine white, the colours of the

pearls bring out the best in a diamond and the sparkleof diamonds adds more charm to the pearls.

Japanese brand Mikimoto, one of the biggest namesin pearls has a fascinating range of jewellery using Akoya,

South Sea white and gold, Tahiti, Freshwater cultured andConch pearls. Some of its best pieces include DancingDrops choker with diamonds, white South Sea Couturering and Empress necklace and ring made with pink conchpearls. Australian major Paspaley is a specialist in SouthSea pearls and have transformed them into stunning piec-es of jewellery. Its latest Marquise collection is a strikinginterplay 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 andimports all its pearls, traditional jewellery as well as con-temporary ones uses pearls of different kinds. Populartraditional ornaments that are used even today, especiallyduring weddings, like panchlara (five strand necklace),waist band and haath-phool, sees extensive use of pearls ofall sizes and shapes.

If you are looking for exclusive collections here, luxuryjewellery maker Ganjam’s Fire & Ice collection with Tah-itian pearls and Le Jardin collection is worth checking out.Mirari’s Baroque pieces, Jaipur Gem’s South Sea pearlsbracelet, Rose’s Sautoir Pendant and Zoya’s Tahitian pearlearrings are a treat to own.

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


TASTER’S choice

John Mariani

Ihad just sat down at a restaurant named Caval

d’Brons, set above Turin’s Piazza San Carlo, andordered Piedmontese specialties like tiny meat-stuffed ravioli called plin, with a butter and sage

sauce, and vitello tonnato, made with slices of veal in acreamy tuna sauce. But first I was presented with a littleappetite starter - a rosy slice of culatello ham, a taste ofCastelmagno cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar, and asmall glass of the Italian cordial called Amaro.

It was no more than a sip or two, syrupy, herbaceousand bittersweet, a perfect spur to the palate. Now, sincearriving home from Italy, I’ve been serving it before dinnerto friends.

Italy produces scores of Amaros, whose name meansbitter but whose sweet flavors are a complexity of herbs,spices and citrus rinds, including gentian, angelica, lemonverbena, ginger, mint, thyme, licorice, cinnamon and men-thol. Made with 16 to 35 per cent alcohol, Amaros aredrunk either as an aperitif on the rocks or in cocktails.More commonly in Italy, Amaros are taken as a digestiveafter a meal. In fact, their origins lie in the medicinecabinets of medieval monasteries, concocted by monks asaids to digestion and good health.

If you want to know what those early medicines tastedlike, buy a bottle of Fernet Branca, a commercial Milan-based brand of Amaro. It is a dark and potent brew - withup to 45 per cent alcohol. Made from 27 herbs and spices,including Iranian saffron, South African aloe and Frenchgentian, and then aged for a year, Fernet Branca’s ad mottois “It is worth the bitterness.”

Bitter priceIt is indeed very acrid, so some use it as cocktail bitters.Still, even many of its advocates grimace upon knocking itback after a huge meal to settle a queasy stomach. I am oneof those reluctant advocates, so that is the price I pay forbeing raised a Catholic taught to believe the sin of gluttonymust be punished with bitterness.

The best known, sweeter Amaro is Campari, the garnetred spirit usually drunk on the rocks with a twist of lemonor as a component in the classic Italian cocktails, theamericano and negroni. Vermouth too is an Amaro (theword comes from the German wermut for wormwood),first produced by Turin-based Antonio Benedetto Carpa-no in 1786. In fact, the Amaro I was served at Caval d’Bronswas Carpano’s “Antica Formula”.

Bitter sweetThe Carpano firm (now owned by Fratelli Branca) also

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

Other fairly well known Amaro brands available inEurope, South America, and the U.S. include Averna, Ra-mazzotti and Cynar, all at least as sweet as they are bitter.

I set out to find some more unusual Amaros in themarket, heading to Mt. Carmel Wine & Spirits on ArthurAvenue in the Bronx, a superb repository of Italian wineand 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 ha-zelnuts, orange notes and a lingering bitter-sweetnessmake 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 quitebitter, with an aroma that is instantly evocative of incense

used at Sunday mass. A good Catholic could sniff it and fallto 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 premium-priced Amaro pours like maple syrup into the glass anddelivers a beautifully nuanced bouquet and what tasteslike scores of carefully blended herbs and spices. Youcould have this on pancakes.

Nonino Amaro ($36.99)This Friulian distillery almost singlehandedly changed

grappa’s image from moonshine to connoisseur’s brandytwenty years ago.

There’s no mistaking the refined hand of the family inthis exquisitely crafted Amaro, with an impeccable bal-ance of bitterness, sweetness, fruit and spice that would beevery bit as welcome after dinner as a vintage Port.

(The author writes on wine for Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

Bitter brewbecomes

trendy Amarococktails

Photo: Bloomberg


BEVERAGE launch

Aspri Spirits addsanother wine brandto its list, TheGerman Black Towerwines. The Indialaunch includes thesmooth and fruitywhite Rivaner, crispRiesling and a livelyDornfelder PinotNoir. Available atleading hotels,restaurants and selectretail outlets.Rs 1,295 onwards

A deep golden amber hue, sweet and abalanced nose, full-bodied creamy textureand long and slightly dry finish, makes thelatest Dewar Signature a smooth Scotch.Each bottle is individually numbered and isavailable at select wine shops across NewDelhi. Rs 14,670

A fine blend

CelebratingWoman’s Day isNirvana Biosys

with its She RoseSparkling wine

cased in a prettypink bottle. Sweet

to sip and low onalcohol, the wine is

a neat aperitif andcan be paired with

spicy Asiancuisine.

Rs 380 (750ml)

Women’sspecial

Delhi Duty Free has introduced an exclusiverange of premium single malt whiskies from

the Wemyss distillery. The ‘Single caskcollection’ on offer includes Autumn Leaves1997, The Herb Garden 1989, Ginger Treacle

1991 and Freshly Cut Grass 1990. Also, aselection of blended whiskies like SmoothGentleman, Spice King and Peat Chimney

12-year-olds will also be available.Price on request

Wemyss in India

Vineyards has launched its CollectionDe Platine reserve portfolio, which

includes a Cabernet Sauvignon,Shiraz Reserva and Rose SparklingBrut. This exclusive range has been

aged in French oak barrels and boastshumble tannins, velvet textures and

oaky flavours.Rs 1,102 to Rs 1,680

Vinsura

Vintage mouthful

Spiritedaddition

Smartbuy issue dated March 9, 2011

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