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The full-featured mini iPad
Mini is here, and there are so many eager hands reaching out to get a chance to grasp it that Apple ought to be mighty pleased. So what if its founder, the late Steve Jobs, derided small tablets. Well, people wanted them and when archrivals of the Android and the Windows world, launched small tablets, Apple was bound to react. The success of e-book readers and content viewers like Kindle and Nook also demonstrated that 7-inch tablets had a market. Apple typically came with something that had a bigger screen, was thinner than its rivals and priced higher than them. Thus, the new iPad Mini has a 7.9-inch, multi-touch display, facetime HD and iSight. It is less capable than its latest big brother in rendering graphics, does not have Apple’s famous retina display, and has a processor that is less powerful than the big iPad...yet it still has a lot going for it. You can travel light with this tablet. It looks gorgeous, and supports iOS 6, the latest Apple operating system. Not having retina display works to its advantage, since users will have immediate access to the 2,75,000 iPad apps, many of which have not yet been optimised for the latest iPad with retina display. The A5 chip is fast. iPad Mini also has a front-facing facetime HD camera and a 5 megapixel iSight camera on the back. It can take sharp still pictures and record full 1080p HD video. The camera includes video-image stabilisation, and both cameras feature backside illumination to let users capture great pictures in low light. iPad Mini also allows easy sharing of photos with friends and family using iCloud’s shared photo streams. iPad Mini has good dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi support and is available in Wi-Fi + cellular models that will work internationally. It also has a personal hotspot feature with which users can share a fast cellular data connection via Wi-Fi, bluetooth or USB with up to five other devices. Of course, it has the new lightning connector. iPad Mini with Wi-Fi models is available in black and slate or white and silver. The mini retails for $329 for the 16GB model, $429 for the 32GB model and $529 for the 64GB model. It will be availabe in India after a while. Is iPad Mini too expensive? It might seem so, given the fact that its rival, the cheapest Kindle Fire comes at $159 and the Nexus 7 costs $249. However, we must remember that the iPad is more than the sum total of all its hardware parts, it comes with the Apple ecosystem that has the largest number of apps, as well as iCloud that gives users instant access to their data, whether they are using the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, or PC. The mini comes from an exclusive stable. With more than 10 crore iPads having been sold, Apple is the king of tablets. Other contenders come way down in numbers of devices sold. Even in functionality and features, Apple scores high in consumer satisfaction. Yes, it is expensive, but then so have all Apple devices been. This has not proved to be much of a barrier, although other tablet makers are sure to exploit this weakness the best they can. Apple’s iPad Mini will, no doubt, energise the market for 7-inch tablets, which is expected to double this year from the one crore 70 lakh devices sold in 2011.
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Light my world
For most Indians, Diwali is the time to exchange sweets, buy new clothes and jewellery, settle past debts, extend a hand of friendship and wish all a good fortune. It is also the time to seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and also the deity of wealth, happiness and beauty. Four things mark the modern-day celebrations of Diwali — food, light, sound and gifts. Sweets are an integral part of the festival. So are the ubiquitous fire crackers, besides the giving and accepting gifts as also the diyas or the earthen lamps and candles, which are lit up in most homes. Diyas and candles play a significant role in this festival of lights. The latest are aroma candles, which come in all colours and sizes and in various avatars — plain or scented, in jars or as floaters. These are both soothing and energising as they contain fragrant oils that fill your environment with the right energy flow and banish bad karma. However, the downside of the festival is the fireworks, which are getting more and more sound-breaking, charged with extra exploding capacities that challenge the sound barrier. The good news is that there has been a simultaneous campaign to shun these noisy crackers and make Diwali more eco-friendly with sparklers that do not damage the atmosphere and are easy on the ears and lungs. The best part of the festival is gifting which has become an integral part of Diwali. Figurines of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are the most popular gifts during Diwali. These can range from a few rupees to lakhs depending on the kind of material used, craftsmanship and the embellishments used which can range from semi-precious stones to the precious ones, besides those in silver, gold and diamond. Joie de vivre Candles, pooja thalis, clothes, sweets, dry fruits, cookies and chocolates all do brisk sales in an atmosphere charged with cheer and joie de vivre. Since Diwali is considered one of the most auspicious times of the year, leading companies launch lifestyle products like televisions, motorbikes, mobile phones, jewellery collections, furniture and a plethora of other products. Silver is especially popular during the Diwali season with coins which have imprints of Lakshmi and Ganesha being the most in demand. Other silver gifts gaining popularity in trendy homes include photo frames, coasters and glass table supports. Tempting discounts are offered by retailers to entice customers, who are in a mood to splurge, thanks to the bonuses and other incentives given by organisations. Perhaps, a bulging wallet is one of the reasons why Diwali is sometimes associated with gambling. Business sense Indian gifting business during Diwali is estimated to be around
Rs 1 lakh and 6,000 crore. The business of crackers and fireworks during the festival is between
Rs 800 crore and Rs 1,000 crore at the manufacturer level. But the margins are so high that when it reaches the dealer level, the turnover balloons between
Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 crore. The average spending of a middle class household on crackers, fireworks and sweets is around
Rs 600, which is likely to rise this year due to inflation. The sale of gold and silver jewellery is expected to drop due to the steep rise in prices. The sale of gold and silver coins and idols as gifts is also expected to fall. These are being replaced by innovative new gifts like iPads, smartphones, watches and pens. Many companies dealing in gold and silver are offering attractive discounts to lure customers. Tanishq, for example, is offering a flat 20 per cent discount on making charges on select 22-carat jewellery. Similarly, Gitanjali Jewels is offering a free gold coin on the purchase of diamond jewellery. Cheap Chinese lights have hit the business of candles and diyas. String lights that can illuminate the whole house come for as little as
Rs 70 to Rs 100. All-night card parties are a common phenomenon and have a passionate following during this month. Though there is no religious sanctity or relevance for gambling, it is purely a social offshoot, which tends to get stretched and can cause totally avoidable heartburn. Customs and tradition Unlike gambling, some customs and traditions of Diwali did have a logic behind them in ancient times. This is also the period between the cessation of the South-West monsoons in India and the onset of the North-East ones, which brings in the mosquitoes and the insects. Lighting up wicks dipped in mustard oil helps to ward off these pests. Besides, Diwali falls on Amavasya (new moon), in earlier times, these earthen lamps provided the necessary illumination for late night functions and get-togethers. Diwali is also the time when the farmer has disposed of his farm produce and the only things left behind are rats and insects, which lie hidden beneath the heaps. The cleaning up helped to chase away the unwelcome guests after the rains. The ritual of whitewashing the house during Diwali is a direct offshoot of this necessity in olden days. Like all other major Indian festivals, Diwali is meant to foster a sense of togetherness and belonging with an excuse to socialise and spread good cheer. Apart from being the most widely celebrated festival, it is one of the prettiest and the brightest of all Indian fiestas. A time to rejoice and celebrate, Diwali signifies the freedom of the human spirit from darkness and oppression.
Delhi-based Cooke & Kelvey offers an exquisite range of silverware for the Diwali season. There’s the exquisitely crafted silver aarti thali, the silver Ganesha and Laxmi set on Onyx, elegant silver candle stands and silver Diyas with variations in God figures to light up your home.
VISHNU & LAKSHMI STATUE World’s largest online retailer Amazon is offering a statue of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi which is 8.5 inches in height and 3.5 inches in width. Handmade in brass by metal craftsmen from Aligarh, it is ideal for the pooja room, or just as a great collectible. Price:
$280 (Rs 15,400)
MARBLE GANESHAS Gifting solution company Rcube International has launched the dazzling collection of Lord Ganesha. The collection comprises sculptures made from finely carved and polished marble and decorated with semi-precious stones.
LIGHT AND AROMA SET Home décor website www.roomstory.com is offering a plethora of gifts for Diwali. Now you can add the magic of shining tea lights to your bedroom or living room with this beautifully designed wooden tray and five double-walled stainless steel tea lights around a decoration bowl. Price:
Rs 2,078
PORCELAIN GODDESS LAKSHMI Price:
$9,000 (Rs 4,95,000)
TANISHQ FESTIVE COLLECTION Prices: Vary from item to item
CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF RAMA & SITA The Festival of Lights marks the return of Lord Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile. Lladro offers the celestial couple in all their glory. The two divinities hold their right hand with the palm forward at the in mudra pose, which indicates divine protection for the believer. Price:
Rs 4,00,000
This handcrafted candle by www.roomstory.com is from a women’s livelihood initiative Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence that works to empower urban slum women to access basic services of water and sanitation.
Price:
Rs 135 per candle
NATURAL TWIGS CANDLE SET This is a very unusual set of candles on offer by World Bazaar near Gurgaon. Crafted from wood and natural twigs, it is the latest material that is bringing a glint in the eye of eco-friendly people. Imported from Indonesia, it is a gift from the jungle, which does not hurt the environment. Price:
Rs 1,000
CELEBRATION PLATTERS Chocolatier Patchi is offering a whole new range of celebration and gift Price: Starting from
Rs 1,100
SILVER DIYA STAND Add radiance to your spiritual space this Diwali with D’mart Exclusif’s or simply adorn your home with spectacular idols like a diya stand with a Ganesha idol perched on top. Handcrafted by European artists, there are a host of silver-plated figurines in various shapes to choose from. Price:
Rs 39,500
A FESTIVAL THAT INTEGRATES INDIA
Diwali is perhaps the only festival that is celebrated throughout India
in one form or another. In northern India, it is celebrated to
commemorate Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. In Karnataka, Diwali is
linked with the tale of King Bali, who was so noble that even Gods were
jealous of him. So they decided to eliminate him. Lord Vishnu came in
the guise of a Brahmin and asked the king for land that would measure up
to three of his footsteps. When King Bali granted his wish, Vishnu
appeared in his real form and covered the heavens with one foot and the
world with another. He asked where he should place his foot for the
third step. Bali bowed before him and offered his own head. Vishnu put
his foot over Bali’s head and thrust him in the nether world. Diwali
is celebrated in Karnataka in the memory of King Bali. In Tamil Nadu, it is associated with the killing of the demon king Narakasur by Lord Krishna. Bursting crackers signifies the destruction of the demon. In
Maharashtra, legend revolves around the son of King Hima, who was doomed to
die from a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that day, his wife
laid gold and silver ornaments at the entrance of the house and lighted
innumerable lamps. When Yama, arrived in the guise of a serpent, his eyes got
blinded by the dazzle of the lights and he could not enter the Prince’s
chamber. The wife, thus, Among the Sikhs, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the
sixth Guru Hargobind Singh from captivity. People lit the way to the Golden
Temple in his honour. Now, the people of Punjab not just light diyas but also
burst crackers. Among the Jain community too, Diwali holds great importance. On this day, Lord Mahavira is said to have attained Nirvana. It is believed that the Lord discarded the body and the bondage of all Karmas on the Diwali night and achieved eternal bliss. Indeed, Diwali unites all religions.
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Bling it on
NO-FRET GUITAR LESSONS Price:
$399 (Rs 21,945)
They are a combination of functionality, utility, innovation and design. The Victorinox Swiss knife has everything that one needs for travel. For this festive season the company has launched a range of special Swiss knives and watches. The most striking one is the handcrafted Victorinox Swiss Champ XAVT which provides a total of 80 tools. Right from basic functions like scissors, blade, nail filer, wire stripper, can and bottle opener to complex functional tools like screw driver, thermometer, altimeter, timer, digital clock, metal and wood saw. This knife stands apart when it comes to delivering innovation. Price in
India: Rs 22,920
Haven’t we often wondered in the morning how the day’s temperature is going to pan out? Is it going to be windy and cold or just pleasant? Now you can have your answer right at the breakfast table by just popping a slice of bread in the toaster. Yes, you read that right. When the toast pops out it will have the day’s weather on it. The about-to-be-launched Jamy the Smart Toaster is wi-fi equipped to gather the weather info for you every morning. Along with the temperature the toasty weather report includes a picture of the expected weather: Sunny, cloudy or rainy so that you can be prepared for the day. Price:
Yet to be announced
For almost a century, the Italian luxury fashion house Fendi has earned a name for itself for its exquisitely crafted bags and baquettes. Its latest is a colour-blocked multimedia pochette purse featuring a textured astrakhan front panel, metallic back panel, and an enamelled push-lock closure at the top. The suede-lined interior features a slip pocket with designer-engraved plaque. The 5.6-inch wide and 4.4-inch deep purse is guaranteed to be an eye-popper in the hand of a lady. Price in
India: Rs 1,62,024
ART OF JARS & BOWLS Perk up your interiors with home décor brand Elvy Lifestyle’s innovative range of urban artefacts. Made of ceramic with silver and white finishing, the new collection includes exclusive jars and bowls. These ethnically designed and crafted art pieces are multi-functional as they can be used for the household use or as decoration pieces. And if you want to make someone happy this Diwali, these pricy pieces make great gifts. Price in
India: Jar (round shape): Rs 5,995; jar (tall) Rs 4,995 & bowl Rs
3,995
Oriental vases make perfect mantle pieces and are displayed in glass cabinets and showcased in art galleries and museums around the world. Now you have a chance to spruce up that empty shelf in your drawing room with this Oriental vase from Lladro. It combines strong graphic elements and organic fluidity. It is an artistic piece and makes an impressive design statement. Its intense colours and form hark back to the ancient times when vases were treated at par with gold in China. You too can become a part of the 1000-year-old culture with this decorative object. Price in
India: Rs 4,37,600
FACE-OFF! Price:
$3,920 for Face Mask Maker & $5,875 for Full Head Model (Rs 2,15,600 &
Rs 3,23,125)
It’s a gizmo that will keep you on your toes and put you on the path of fitness. Once you hook on the Fitbit Zip & One device, it will track the amount you walk in a day, the stairs you climb and all your other activities. It also monitors how long and how well you sleep and nudges you awake once you’ve had your optimal bedtime. It then syncs all these statistics to your computer or smart phone and tells you the amount of calories you have burnt in a day. It encourages you to set goals and challenge yourself further for that perfect figure. Price:
From $60 & $100 depending on features (From Rs 3,300 & Rs 5,500)
ICONIC MODEL Price:
$1,000 ( Rs 55,000)
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Gyan
Marwah
Lighter and thinner than we'd thought when watching the Keynote, iPad Mini fits comfortably in one hand, with the reduced-size side bezels giving seemingly more screen real-estate than the Nexus 7. Apple has built iPad Mini from the ground up, rather than just shrinking the bigger iPad 3. and it shows. The rounded edges are reminiscent of the widely loved iPhone 3G and it feels durable enough to sling in a
bag.
Few
BRING HOME THE SILVERWARE
Prices start from:
Rs 10,000 (candle stands); Rs 1,00,000 (thalis); and Rs 6,000 (diyas)
Price:
Starting from Rs 1,100
This Diwali take home Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, good fortune and the embodiment of eternal beauty from Ram Creations, jewellers based in Michigan, USA. The porcelain Goddess Lakshmi in her exquisite pose is in a limited edition of 720 worldwide.
For the auspicious occasion of Diwali, Tanishq has announced a range of gold jewellery. The Festive Gold Collection comprises earrings, pendants and bangles. Tanishq is offering a flat 20 per cent off on making charges of select 22ct gold jewellery and diamond jewellery above
Rs 2 lakh.
CANDLES FOR A CAUSE 
By buying these candles, you will not only brighten up your home but also make a direct impact on the lives of these women. 
platters in luxurious finishes and colours from international brands like Ferro Murano, Tiche, Leonardo, Mario Cioni, Rogaska, Zanetto, Topazio and Limoges specially sourced for the festive season of Diwali. 
saved
her husband from the clutches of death leading to jubilations, which took the
form of Diwali.
This is music to the ears for those who love to play the guitar but do not have the time to join a music school. The about-to-be-launched Fretlight is unique as it will have you playing the guitar in no time. Thanks to a system of lights on the board itself, the guitar lets you see the correct finger positions instantly. The guitar is linked directly to a user’s personal computer where a CD is inserted that links you to a teacher. Whatever the teacher plays on his guitar in the video, instantly appears in real-time on the student's Fretlight guitar. It is a way of making you a pro the fast and easy way.
CUTTING-EDGE KNIFE
A TOAST TO WEATHER
PURSE OF LUXURY
ORIENTAL ART
Want to spook people, then make someone wear your face! Right. A Japanese company, called Real-F, has invented a device that that makes real life replicas of your face! There are two models—one is a Face Mask Maker and the other is Full Head Model. The machine first shoots pictures from different angles of the person whose face is to be copied. It then imprints the image on vinyl chloride resin stretched over a mould to produce an eerily perfect replica of your face down to the blood vessels on the face. 
FIT DEVICE
It was one of the most iconic cars of its time. The first Mercedes made in the year 1900 created a sensation around the world and a few that are remaining are the most sought after vintage cars. Though you may not get to acquire the real one, you can now buy a fully operational model powered by an external combustion engine. Made in Germany, the 6.5- inch model is a mechanical wonder, with the two pistons driving the brass flywheels for up to 1,500 rpm. Left alone, the car can run on its own in 24-inch circles, providing fun both to children and adults. So get home the model and be the proud owner of one of the most admired cars in the history of the automobile industry.