Add-ons that add value
There are some innovative, new accessories available in the market that make your mobiles do more
Aditi Garg

Amzer Crusta is a four-layered sturdy case, a 360 degree holster with tempered glass screen protection

Gadgets have become our extended limbs and enhanced sensory organs. Almost indispensable, there is no sphere of our lives that our tablets, phablets, smartphones and other gadgets haven't invaded. These increase our efficiency, enable us to multitask effectively and are a full-fledged source of entertainment right in our palms. To add to their utility further, there are some innovative new accessories available in the market. Devices that can be attached to them, even in the inconspicuous form of a cover, make them adept at handling more than they were intended for. While some of these accessories make them more durable, others turn them into tools, among other things.

Power in your hand

Pretty mobile cases are available a dime a dozen. While these add oodles of glamour, these offer little else. The biggest challenge for smartphones these days is providing enough battery to back up the amazing features they offer. Snow Lizard's SLXtreme 5 raised over $164,000 in less than a month as pre-sales on kickstarter.com and is the ideal phone case for users to take on outdoor adventures. You can slide your phone into the polycarbonate case with an integrated 2550mAh battery that more than doubles the battery life and has a built-in solar panel for emergency charging on the go. Not just this, it is also waterproof up to 6 feet, maintains full functionality of the phone for underwater photography, features battery-boosting technology and is ultra-rugged. Gina Bigge from Snow Lizard says, "The case protects your phone from falls (6 feet), dust and sand. The new model also includes a 3.5mm audio input jack, and a watertight plug to keep it waterproof."

If this is not enough, then Hammacher Schlemmer offers the hand crank emergency cell phone charger. It is perfect for placing an essential call or sending a text when there is a power-cut as it uses the crank-to-power conversion of dynamos. One minute of hand cranking is said to generate four minutes of emergency power in a connected mobile. The fold and stow design is ideal for carrying in a pocket or bag and connects via a USB.

Tools for a better life

This emergency cellphone charger can generate four minutes of emergency power with one minute of hand cranking

What if you are on a hiking trip, or out and about your daily routine and you require a pair of scissors, a screw driver or need to fix your bike tyre? Rummaging through the drawers or rushing to the nearest facility is not required if you have your TaskLab mobile case with you. Having raised 50 per cent funding in a fortnight on a crowd-funding website indiegogo.com, its success was not a matter of speculation. The TaskOne G3 is a new-age mobile case for those who love protection with functionality; the outdoorsman, the handyman or the gadget lover. Packed with 22 tools, two kickstands and a universal mount for attaching reciprocating saw blades, these are easily accessible through large, aluminium buttons. From bottle opener, allen wrench and knife to sawblade, small and large flathead screwdrivers, medium Phillips screwdriver, pliers with integrated 3-6mm wrench and wire cutters, it has more than a Swiss army knife worth of utility attached to your phone.

Lifestyle specialist

Shellster is a functional combo of shell case and a holster that protects your smartphone

Another slim shell case from TaskLab is the myTask case series that incorporates a hidden compartment with a range of tools designed to help in times of need and customised for your needs. The slim case is TSA compliant and very light. The three variants can be conveniently interchanged to include myTask Bike, myTask Urban and myTask Stash. While the myTask Bike includes tire patches, wrenches, a screw driver and a bottle opener, myTask Urban comes with tools including a pen/stylus, bottle opener, mirror, LED light, USB drive, large 2" scissors, eye-glass screwdrivers, nail file, ruler, tweezers and more. MyTask Stash features the slide-out tray that you can use to hold whatever you want. So all you really need on an outdoor trip is your phone!

Hands-free experience

Snow Lizard mobile case has built-in solar panel for emergency charging on the go

There is hardly a place where we would venture without our mobiles but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is convenient. Ashish Jain, a gym enthusiast, says, "I jog a lot. Leaving my mobile behind or even in a bag seems a waste of a useful gadget. Recently, I bought an armband to hold my phone during my exercise schedule." Amzer armband from Amzer is great for holding your phone while jogging, biking, walking and hiking, etc. Its neoprene frame has a velcro strap for easy and adjustable fit. Complete with an integrated screen guard, it allows for full navigational control while safeguarding, making it the perfect accessory for working out. Amzer Crusta is a four-layered case that offers sturdiness, a 360 degree holster and tempered glass screen protection, in 42 colour combinations. Another product by Amzer, Shellster is a stylish, trendy and functional combo of shell case and a holster that offers a smooth, precise and bulk-free yet affordable protection to your smart phone.

Keying-in ease

Snow Lizard polycarbonate mobile case has an integrated 2550mAh battery that doubles the cellphone’s battery life. The sturdy case also protects your phone from falls

Tablets, smartphones and even desktops will benefit greatly in terms of ease of use with the introduction of portable keyboards that don't use much space. Projected infrared keyboards are a great accessory that detect movement of fingers to key in text and also act like a mouse. Epic from Celluon is a must have for all those who miss the keyboard while on the move. Attach it to any device that supports a bluetooth and project a QWERTY keyboard using a red laser diode onto any flat surface. So compact that it fits onto your palm easily, it is one add-on that will certainly enhance your productivity. The company is also working on 'prodigy', a mobile case with an in-built projector for a keyboard, a kickstand and added battery life.

Interesting additions for fun and productivity Through cases: Elecom's interesting mobile cases let you play built-in analogue games on the mobile cover. SIMPLcase is perfect for those who travel internationally and need to carry multiple SIM cards as it provides adequate storage in a sleek case. Via USB/ bluetooth: NODE + Wireless Sensor Platform connects using a bluetooth to your smartphone and lets you measure a range of things from temperature, light, humidity, acceleration, and even scans barcodes and much more. Mophie's Juice Pack connects as a case to your phone's charging port and lets you work without charging for longer. Other gizmos: An LED pen (Chinese manufacturer) which flashes when you receive a call on your mobile kept on the silent mode. Kogeto Dot fixes itself to the lens of your mobile and allows you to take 360 degree panoramic shots. RhinoShield impact-resistant screen protector lets you be clumsy without worrying about the screen. Close ties As one of the most important articles of use, it makes perfect sense to enhance the utility to cell phones using add-ons. According to an IDC Research Report, sponsored by Facebook: 63 per cent of smartphone owners keep their mobiles with them for their entire waking day, except for an hour while 79 per cent keep it aside for two hours. A surprising one in four respondents couldn't recall a time in the day when their phone was not within reach or in the same room.

Ring it on
A cocktail ring is a statement piece that has a history of more than 90 years to it and is refusing to go out of fashion. Leading jewellery designers and labels are coming up with interesting versions of this beauty
Surekha Kadapa-Bose

Are you in a hurry to go to office, attend meetings, lunch date, dinner party or any other event? And are you hard-pressed for time to accessorise with jewellery? Adorn a finger with a statement or a cocktail ring, and you will be all set for any event. This over-sized ring with a huge stone tucked in the centre has become a symbol of status and a permanent fixture on the red carpet. Cocktail rings are bold and the large coloured stone is often surrounded by diamonds or other coloured stones that makes it look so attractive. It is also referred to as a dinner or cluster ring.

Look at any celebrity on the red carpet — Emma Stone, Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Emma Watson, Angelina Jolie or in older times Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren or back home Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji, Raveena Tandon, Vidya Balan, Yami Gautam — you will find them many a time flaunting a huge cocktail ring. The cocktail ring isn’t a recently discovered element of fashion. Though it became a popular accessory in the 1950s, it entered the fashion scene somewhere in 1930s and 1940s. During the Prohibition era in the US in the 1920s, women often wore these rings at illegal cocktail parties to flaunt they were drinking in style. Then there were tailor-made rings for parties, holidays, weddings… It would also give a boost to their ego. That is how the cocktail ring came to occupy place on the right hand of a woman.

For anyone from the fashion maverick to a socialite to someone who wants to keep her style statement bold yet simple like the Queen of England or Barbara Cartland, cocktails rings became a staple accessory.

The big-sized rings add character to one’s personality and set the mood for the day or the occasion. As Prernaa Makhariaa, manager, product development at Tara Jewels, says, “Every woman likes to experiment and wear something that makes her stand out in a crowd. The best part about cocktails rings is that you can wear one on formal as well as informal occasions. These are a must have in a woman’s jewelry box.’’

This certainly doesn’t mean that these rings can’t be worn by teenagers or the young. They can experiment with fashion jewellery instead of going in for expensive rings that are set with diamond, gold and other precious gems, which will suit their age and attire. Rather than matching the cocktails rings with evening gowns or saris, the young can wear them well with beaded bracelets, toe-rings or funky hair accessories. Delhi-based designer Alpana Gujaral who specialises in statement jewellery and classic designs says, “There is no such set rule for wearing the cocktail ring. Anybody can wear it with anything. It’s just that one should know how to carry it.”

Cocktail rings are tailor-made for occasions such as anniversary or engagements. Nowadays, cocktail rings can be worn on different occasions or even as part of a casual outfit. It can be passed on from generation to generation as an heirloom piece. It’s the vintage appeal of the jewellery piece that makes it so popular. The best part of this special accessory is that one can wear it as single piece or mix it with others. At the same time, one must understand that it is a statement piece and wearing other heavy jewellery with this will reduce its appeal. In this case, less is more. It is an unsaid rule that never wear more than one cocktail ring at a time.

Pune-based designer Sumit of Apala Sumit, who specialises in silver jewellery, says, “Some outfits don’t require a statement neckpiece or bold earrings. This is the time when you turn to a chunky cocktail ring to make a fashion statement. A big stone polki ring and antique silver rings are in vogue as these adds a fusion character to the look. Let your hands do the talking!”

Elaborating further Mira Gulati of House of Mirari says, “A cocktail ring is a statement piece and can be worn alone, eliminating the need of any other accessory. Alternatively, one can also pair a cocktail ring with minimal jewellery keeping the ensemble simple. In the fashion circuit, cocktail rings have become the ultimate way to make a fashion statement.” So, the next time you are not too sure of how to spice up that little black dress or a red gown or a gorgeous vintage sari, add one of these coloured cocktail rings to your dressing up for a winning combination. Bold is indeed beautiful in this case.

Magic of white pearl
This timeless ring by Ghanasingh Jewellers from the Sansage collection features a stunning South Sea pearl surrounded by round, brilliant-cut diamonds in prong and channels crafted in 18k yellow gold and finished with a white rhodium polish. For any formal affair or a dinner date, you can wear it with an Indian or a western outfit. 

Price: Rs 1,10,000

Animal instinct
Saint Laurent’s lion ring is crafted from gold-tone brass and studded with black enamel and crystals, the embellishments spread along the band to ensure this glittering piece sparkles from every angle. A ring with animal motif always catches attention. This ring, too, will ensure that at any occassion. 

Price: Rs 35,000

Say it with emerald
Make others go green with envy with this classy cocktail ring crafted in 18k yellow gold in white rhodium polish from the Sansage collection by Ghanasingh Be True. It boasts of a stunning emerald framed with round brilliant cut diamonds by Ghanasingh Jewellers. The chunky emerald will win you attention from others. 

Price: Rs 1,50,000

An elegant choice
The large chunky teardrop-shaped smoky topaz forming the centre is the main attraction of this cocktail ring by designer Alpana Gujral. Surrounded by white diamonds, set in yellow gold with a backdrop of oxidised silver, the antique-looking ring is for women who want to appear graceful and elegant. It can be teamed up with Indian as well as western attire. 

Price: Rs 1,00,000

Fine finesse
It is a contemporary ring with the amalgamation of smoky quartz and diamond in pink gold by Sonal’s Bijoux. The beauty of the ring is the smoky quartz, which is a laser-cut gem. Laser cut is a digital art of jewellery making. It is used for carving jewellery giving it a high-quality finish. 

Price: Rs 78,000

Art of the matter
Art Deco Indian fusion ring from Apala by jewellery designer Sumit is made of sterling silver with 22k gold layering and central pyramid cut green jade. This fusion of art deco style has hand-cut geometric jali work with inward turned Indian trumpets forming the sides. It looks stylish and different from the usual. 

Price: Rs 16,500

From the design house
Roberto Cavalli’s gold-plated and silver-plated cocktail ring is set with sparkling Swarovski crystals, but it’s the whimsical dragonfly shape that truly sets it apart. We suggest wearing this piece with a sleek black dress for any evening party or a dinner date.

Price: Rs 26,800

Dramatic appeal
Skyscraper sterling silver ring by designer duo Yunus and Eliza is a dramatic, sculptural piece and is handcrafted in their London studio. Inspired by mythology and fantasy, this skyscraper of a ring is made from sterling silver. Use it strictly as a statement piece of jewellery for maximum effect.

Price: Rs 85,000

Romance with the ruby
The central brilliant red ruby surrounded by tiny white diamonds set in rose gold is a sure winner. Red colour suits most dresses and also most occasions. Wear this open rose- shaped motif cocktail ring for a romantic dinner, a close knit family affair, or even a wedding. Flaunt it on a black dress, a ghaghra choli or a sari.

Price: Rs 1,50,000

Treasure forever
The oxidised-silver amedeo ring with the sardonyx shell and skull cameo is a witty interpretation of a traditional design. Carved from sardonyx shell and encased in a glittering border of 0.06 carat black diamonds, this precious piece will make a treasure-forever investment. Team it up with your evening wear to give an unexpected twist to your date.

Price: Rs 2,03,000

Celebration of beauty
This flower-shaped ring by OM is set in18 kt pink gold with white diamonds forming petals around a white sea-pearl, looks ethereal. It is grace personified and goes very well with Indian attire, especially saris. It is best suited for festive occasions.

Price: Rs 2,50,000

Right for all occasions
Flaunt a starfish-diamond studded, gold cocktail bridal ring with a large baroque pearl in the centre by designer Renu Oberoi. If not for the wedding ceremony, you can wear this for the reception or pre-nuptial parties. The white diamond set in yellow gold will match any attire. It is certainly worthy of becoming an heirloom piece. 

Price: Rs 2,12,000

Sparkling effect
For those young at heart, this butterfly ring in 18k yellow gold with a statement amethyst stone in the centre from the House of Mirari is a must have. The long oval amethyst body surrounded by a delicate gold wing will enchant everyone. It can be worn on special occasions and can be used as daily wear. 

Price: Rs 1,41,000

Keep it informal
Blue sapphires form a brilliant backdrop to the white diamond motif on this cocktail ring by Tara Jewellers. Set in yellow gold, it’s a very dressy affair. It is well-suited for a formal dinner, kitty party lunch, or for any festive occasion. The sapphire and diamond combination complements all outfits. 

Price: Rs 1,03,000

A dream ring
Three vinca roses studded with white diamonds and set in white, yellow and pink gold by Om Jewellers is a dream ring for any young girl. The yellow gold is known to be an auspicious metal and with diamonds set in, it will make for a beautiful piece of jewellery for a special occasion.

Price: Rs 1,30,000

When budget matters Anything that is large, bold and attention-grabbing and worn on the forefinger of the right hand can be termed as a cocktail ring. It need not be made of precious gems set in precious metals. The segment of fashion or junk jewellery is already a hit with college students. In that case, even cocktail rings made in inexpensive material enjoy a huge demand. Junk jewellery has a much bigger market than its expensive counterpart. As a result, cocktail rings made in wood, metal, fabric, feather, jute, paper, wood, lac, beads, crystals, colourful stones and other affordable material boast of a huge clientele. The designs range from floral, animal inspired, rodents, skull. To hunt for these, you can visit any handicraft exhibition or roadside stalls selling trinkets. The best part about these rings is that these are very affordable and range between Rs 10 and Rs 1,000. You don’t have to follow a strict dress code to sport these. You can wear one in punk design with a tee and a pair of denims or flaunt one made in semi-precious stones at a formal occasion. The cocktail rings are showstealers for sure, so flaunt these with any attire you are comfortable in.

PACESETTER Aditya Gupta
Crusader for women’s safety
An IIT graduate, he came home to start an NGO that aims to prevent violence against women
Mriganka

He studied Computer Science from India's most prestigious institution IIT, went backpacking to Europe, worked on mobile technology for farmers in East Africa, got well placed as a management consultant in education sector companies and then gave it all up to start his own NGO — People for Parity. Meet Aditya Gupta who has to his credit all this and more at the young age of 24.

"I started PFP due to various driving factors. I was working on mobile technology for farmers in Kenya and Tanzania and had just started enjoying the result of my work when Delhi gangrape case jolted my conscience. It drew my attention back home. I felt a strong connect with the issue. The heinousness of the crime shook me out of slumber, out of my comfort zone to face the reality”, recalls Aditya. So he came back to India and started People for Parity (PFP) with the vision to prevent violence against women. A year and a half into the workshops, he says, PFP now takes a more holistic view towards violence and gender discrimination and tries to address and prevent violence — physical, sexual, mental or otherwise — of any nature. The workshops have a fresh feel to them and instead of being preachy, the approach is to help men and women understand each other's viewpoint better through acting and role play. These are open to men as well as women and there is no discrimination towards the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender) community.

In a year since its inception, PFP has conducted workshops and touched the lives of about 2000 persons. “We’ve conducted seminars with groups of students across five states but a lot of our work has been done in Alwar (Rajasthan), Gurgaon and Meerut,” says Aditya. Among the participants, there are about 25 persons who are deeply engaged with the programme as volunteers, facilitators or interns and are undergoing their own transformative journeys’.

There is no participation fee for workshops and funds largely generated through grants. Aditya sounds quite upbeat about starting PFP, “I received a lot of support from Amanda Satterly, gender adviser to my host organisation in Africa.” His friends stood by him when he decided to move back to India.

Born in Nabha, near Patiala, and hailing from a middle class family that later moved to Delhi, Aditya feels his growing up years shaped his thinking. “While I’ve always been encouraged to pursue a steady job, what I find unique about my family is that they would value relationships and togetherness more than ambition and uninhibited success.” He emphasises that he grew up liking simpler things, be it playing sports or eating home-cooked food, saying: “I didn’t aspire to own luxury cars or gadgets.” While working on a social issue is a gratifying experience, Aditya and other volunteers at PFP have learnt to shake off residual stress. “It is a very popular coping mechanism, which involves rapid swinging of hands and legs to get rid of any emotional baggage that we may have picked from other participants or stories that left us depressed.”

“If I get stressed, I like to talk it out with people close to me or I listen to music”, says Aditya, who is equally passionate about cricket and football, writes poetry in his free time (he calls himself a hopeless poet) and is extremely passionate about his work. “It is work that gets me going,” says the young entrepreneur, who is now working on Pukar, a mobile app for women’s safety. “PFP has just launched its technology initiative, Pukar, in partnership with the police of Alwar (Rajasthan) and we hope to increase its user base in other states over the coming years”.

Bling it on

TIMELESS COLLECTION
French jeweller and watchmaker Cartier is taking designing to a new level with its new L'Heure Envoûtée de Cartier Collection. Rare stones are expertly assembled into exquisite watches resulting into a metaphorical menagerie. All the pieces are more jewellery than watches something which can be clearly seen in the design of the distinctive Les Indomptables de Cartier Crocodile Décor, with its green enameled dial and crocodile brooch in 18-carat yellow gold, brilliant-cut diamonds, with enamelled leaves and emerald eyes. Each piece in the collection can be worn as a watch or a brooch with an impressive versatility which is at the heart of Cartier's DNA.
Price: Upon request

RAISING A TOAST TO INDIAN DESIGNS
Fashion designers seem to be developing a distinct taste for Scotch whiskey. Johnnie Walker Black Label has launched a limited edition Art Deco bottle designed by Indian couturier duo Shantanu & Nikhil. To bring this golden era to life in India and showcase the creativity of their design, the designers have launched a bridal line which accentuates the vibrancy and flamboyance of the Art Deco style. Thanks to the designer duo, the old world charm of this era is all set to return as a trend that will be seen across fashion canvases in the upcoming Autumn/Winter season.
Price: Rs 3,760 per bottle (in Delhi)

FURNITURE WITH AN EDGE
If you have deep pockets and an avant garde style, it may be time to give your pad a whole new look by chucking out those couches and cabinets and indulging in some fantasy stuff by Aston Martin. The design department of the British carmaker has teamed up with Italian furniture designer Formitalia to offer seductive furniture for home and office. Combining stylish hard and soft furnishings with a range of dynamic lighting options, the collection incorporates metal, hardwood, alloys and carbon fibre paired with fine leathers and wools to create unique pieces for connoisseurs who understand the nuances of fine living — much like the Aston Martin car.
Price upon request

SHOT FOR THE ROAD
One look at them and you would want to raise a toast to these shot glasses by America’s designer Alexander Wang. You can take this set of four glasses anywhere and quaff some shots in style. Made of stainless steel with a pale gold finish, the glasses can be stacked up inside a travel case made from black snakeskin-embossed material. Its PVC on the outside and suede on the inside too make them scratch-proof. The case has a pale gold zipper closure to safely hold the glasses when you are travelling and have the sudden urge to knock down a shot or two!
Price: Rs 6,900 for a set of four ($115)

BAG IT LIKE BOGART
It's a marketing technique that never fails. Name a product after a star and you can be assured of instant results. If you add a dash of nostalgia to it, then the cash registers start jingling instantly. French luxury brand S.P. Dupont has launched a unique collection inspired by one of the company’s illustrious clients of the past-legendary Hollywood star Humphrey Bogart. The highlight of the collection is the bogie bag, which the iconic actor personally ordered in 1947. The elegant bag made of oilskin canvas has an 18 k gold detailing with the star’s initials. Though most people have been bowled over by it, for those who want more Humphrey Bogart, there is also a pen and a cigarette lighter to go with it.
Price: Rs 73,500 ($1,225) for bogie bag

ROCKING THE AIRWAVES
In the present era of high definition TVs and iPods, the good old radio is making a comeback all over again - thanks to American music company Grace Digital. But wait. The Grace Victoria Internet Radio may look like the radio your grandparents owned, but it's packed with modern technologies. It is able to wirelessly stream over 50,000 stations and has an auxiliary input jack to connect other music players and an output jack so you can hook up extra speakers. As far as looks go, this radio sure is a look back to the time when the wooden boom box was the primary source of entertainment.
Price in India: Rs 21,900

2014: A REAL SPACE ODYESSY
It could be a scene right out of Stanley Kubrik's 2001 A Space Odyssey but this one's not reel but real. Spanish space research company Zero2Infinity has created the Bloon which is a pod connected to a giant balloon, which can take you on a trip of your lifetime. It will fly you to a height of 36 km and you can see Planet Earth from the edge of space. Bloon uses helium for lift and can carry four persons (and two pilots). When on board, you'll be served dinner and your favourite drink and a window seat with the ultimate view of the universe. If interested (who wouldn't be?) you better hurry as pre-bookings have already begun!
Price: Rs 3.9 crore for four persons ($650,000)

DIAL LV FOR STYLE
For some years now, mobile phone cases have developed a life of their own. Whenever a top company launches a case it is as big a news as the release of a new mobile. Sometimes it makes even bigger news as is the case with the Louis Vuitton case for the BlackBerry Z10. Combining functionality with specialist leather craftsmanship, this case is available in monogram and graphite damier fabric. It features smooth interior lining, a slim form factor, tone on tone stitching and an absolute luxe style. Just a word of caution — the case could be more expensive than the phone!
Price: Rs 20,400 ($340)

WRITING IN STYLE
Whatever it touches turns into style. For years now French luxury goods company Hermès has been displaying its Midas touch on an array of products ranging from apparel to jewellery, watches, belts, cufflinks, shoes and fragrances. It has now teamed up with Japan's Pilot Pen Company to come up with a new luxury capless pen named Nautilus. The fountain pen will be launched in September in six different kinds of rhodium-plated white gold nibs with differing widths. It is made of aluminium and stainless steel making it the only fountain pen that offers six distinct ways of expressing yourself.
Price: Rs 99,000 ($1,650)

ROMANCING THE BIKE
Two relatively unknown motorbike designers, Daniel and Pedro, have created a sensation by designing one of the world’s best-looking retro bikes from scrap lying around in their garage. Called BMW R45 Pure, it has distinct vintage features from the 1950s and 1960s and is fitted with rear shocks and front forks and sports cream/brown paintwork. It is powered by a 474cc engine with 35 horsepower. Such has been the worldwide response to this bespoke bike that the two designers have started its commercial production to an amazingly enthusiastic response. Expected to hit the markets later this year, it is a look back at the golden era when biker dudes like Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando burnt the silver screen with their hot rods.
Price: Yet to be announced