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Getting it right, finally
Check this, Mate
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Getting it right, finally
After trolling journalists for weeks, Microsoft stunned everyone last month by announcing that the next version of world’s most popular PC operating system will be called – wait for it – Windows 10.
With the previous major iteration of the platform called Windows 8, it was the last name anybody anywhere had ever expected, especially after Microsoft itself went to the lengths of “accidentally” uploading a webpage that named it Windows TH and a wallpaper with a rectangle-composed 9. “Do you guys need a minute?” Windows chief Terry Myerson said with a cheeky smile, before continuing with the demo. But the rest of the presentation if anything showed just how humbled the company really was with the acerbic backlash to Windows 8 which had really fallen flat on its face trying to become an OS for the post-PC era. Start menu returns Singed by the negative reaction to Windows 8’s radical interface overhaul that saw the kind of pushback not seen since the days of Windows Vista, an alarmed Microsoft had apparently swung into action trying to think of ways to mitigate the damage. Windows 8 had been designed for Microsoft’s ambitious ‘touch-first’ philosophy where the technology company, not wanting to be left behind in a rapidly changing world, evolved too fast to carve its flagship offering for a future that hadn’t yet come. The result came in the form of what critics described as a ‘schizophrenic’ operating system constantly battling between the traditional desktop environment and the Windows Phone-inspired ecosystem that literally ‘swung’ you into a different world with apps that opened with an annoying full-screen transition. Even the people, who took to Windows 8 warmly, were left baffled why apps tried to fly in with such a disturbing motion. While not all was wrong with all that was Windows 8 – the speed, the reliability, the security and in general the evolutionary features seemed to have improved with the version – the much hyped ‘revolutionary’ aspects such as the two distinct environments, no Start Button, no Start Menu, the Windows app store, the toy-ish interface had not gone down well with the traditionalists. No matter how you cut it, it was apparent that the average Windows customer either a suit in a boardroom, a keyboard ninja in a basement or a timid mouse-wielding technology nincompoop were unimpressed by the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde that was now Windows. With the nays getting louder, Microsoft tried to salvage the situation with a quick fix called Windows 8.1 but even though the Start button returned, the fate of the operating system had been sealed and the half-baked dish was sent back with a Gordon Ramsay-esque flogging. Multitasking OS Microsoft would have you believe that they started Windows 10 with a clean slate. They certainly would like so. However Windows 10, going by the direction its going, is generally what Windows 8 should have been all along – a platform for varying screen sizes that introduces a few radical touches in a much more manageable manner. Coming off with surprising candidness, Microsoft execs publicly admitted where they went wrong with Windows 8. The schizophrenia was definitely going out, the Start Button and Menu were definitely coming back in. “We don't want that duality,” Joe Belfiore, the VP of Microsoft’s OS group and the face of Windows 10 in presentations so far, said. From the beginning Microsoft planned the operating system once more with the keyboard-and-mouse user at its forefront — the section that included the lucrative enterprise customers — people, who for Microsoft, brought home the bacon. So while Windows 8’s Start screen Live Tiles will be built into the Start menu and the Marketplace will continue to exist, the new ‘Modern’ apps now will open in manageable windows and obscure ‘Charms’ menu will be replaced by a friendlier interface. Welcome, Windows 8.2 aka Windows 10. The operating system will sport enhancements to multitasking, the brand new feature of having multiple desktops, and smarter search (they say that one every time) — features all geared towards helping people be more productive instead of wondering just what happened as a bright purple or green or orange window swooshed in blocking out everything else. Evolutionary changes Microsoft kicked off the Windows 10 announcement with a Technical Preview aimed squarely at developers, technology officers at big businesses and nerds so that they can once again start rallying around the idea of a Windows-powered digital world. And while many of the changes in Windows 10 are evolutionary – things that the company tried to fix – parts of the vision are more daring. Windows 10, which was earlier called Windows Threshold, will be the most comprehensive release ever, supporting the widest array of devices from 4-inch phones to 80-inch TVs and everything in between. Microsoft also has been letting interested users preview the version as it is being made and a copy of the evolving system is available for download on the company’s website. The Redmond giant has kept its promise of frequently updating the preview version with new ‘builds’ and the last one for this year was just released. Going ahead, the company hopes to have the operating system ready by some time next year when PCs, phones, tablets, TVs and more devices will start with Windows 10. Device stage It was around seven years ago when Microsoft was demo-ing Windows 7 at an event that I first heard them throw the term ‘Touch-first’ (meaning keyboard-and-mouse came second). Back then, many people including me had groaned at the proposition that Windows was headed to where it went with Windows 8. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with trying to bridge the gap between devices and platforms but the Windows 8 way was just not it. Apple got it much more correctly with Mac OS X Yosemite that brought features like Continuity. While Apple bundled the tablet and phone in one platform (iOS) and the PC in another (Mac OS X), Microsoft wanted PCs and tablets together (Windows) and phones separate (Windows Phone). Addressing a keyboard and touchscreen together of course meant a dumbed down user interface that was bluntly put – stupid. What Apple got, and what Microsoft finally seems to be getting is that it is not about writing one piece of software that will rule them all — because they won’t. People will use different devices and they will use them differently. So it’s much less about axing the differences between the screens than it is to ease the transition between them to make one coherent, seamless experience. With Windows 10, that idea is back on track for the rest of us.
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Check this, Mate
It teaches vigilance as one has to keep a watch on the whole chessboard; caution, as one has to avoid making hasty moves and finally, one can learn from chess, the greatest maxim in life that even when everything seems to be going badly, we should not lose heart, but always hope for the better. Also one should steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems. Going back in time This favourite pastime of intellectuals has its origins in India. Its precursor can be traced back to the sixth century. It was during the Gupta period that it first appeared as Chaturanga that was played with four pieces, representing the quartet of the armed forces in the Medieval times — infantry, cavalry, elephantry and chariotry. Folklore has it that this quartet went on to metamorphose into pawns, knights, bishops and rooks, the four pillars of chess apart from the king and queen. Interestingly, even as the game travelled from India to Persia and then to the Arab nations and finally to the western world, chess boards started getting more and more imaginative. Though all of them had 64 squares with 16 white and 16 black players facing each other and moving geometrically, a number of these started reflecting cultures and historical characters. A touch of fun and amusement has been added to many boards by artists who consider this game cerebral and daunting. Today chess set-making has come to the point where it’s no longer just about the game, but also about creative endeavours. The designs have come a long way from simple walrus-ivory pieces to wood-carved kings, queens, knights, bishops and pawns. Battle of wits Some of these imaginatively designed boards have begun dissipating the belief that chess is only about mental battle and clever mind games. For example, take one of the most-popular boards called Good Versus Evil. Instead of pieces, this has people of historical importance from around the world that includes Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, who are pitted against history’s dark knights like Adolph Hitler, Mussolini and Jack the Ripper. Every game is a battle of wits between the whites and the blacks represented by the villains. It is chess sets like these that have greatly contributed to the popularity of the game. Ranging from plain boards and traveller sets made of cardboard or plastic that have 64 squares printed on them with 32 pieces made of ordinary wood to the extravagant ones that are made from precious metals studded with stones, the chess boards have over the years undergone a complete image makeover. The prices too can vary dramatically. From the ordinary chess boards costing under Rs100 to extravagant ones, there is something for everyone. In fact, some boards are so ornamental that these keep popping up at various auctions conducted by the world’s leading auctioneers like Sotheby’s and Christie’s and are hotly pursued by collectors from around the world. Prized possession One such set that is guaranteed to checkmate any lover of the game with its price tag has been made by British jewellery company called Boodles. Connoisseurs say that there is an almost sinful pleasure in moving the pawns, rooks, queens and kings on this board. It is made primarily of gold and platinum and set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls. The squares on the board are made of white and yellow gold and the pieces are carved out from pure 18-carat gold with the king weighing a royally hefty 165 grams. It is not surprising that at Rs42 crores, it fetches a king’s ransom and is counted among the world’s costliest chess boards. Apart from gold, platinum, silver and precious stones, luxury chess boards and pieces can also be made from best-quality porcelain, crystal and bone china. The wooden chess boards can be made from aged mahogany, lacquered wood, teak, ebony, rosewood, birch, beech and even walnut wood. A recent exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery called the Art of Chess displayed some of the most fascinating boards in the history of the game. It showcased carved chess pieces that were found in ancient India and the Arab world. From the age-old sets from India, Samarkand, Bukhara and Persia to the modern USB-connected and Bluetooth-activated electronic ones, chess boards have traversed an unending historical route and endured well to make it to the age of Xbox, iPad and phablet, with its popularity and appeal growing by the day.
A peep into history
From India the game travelled to Persia (modern Iran) where it acquired the name of Shatranj. Here some of the chess pieces took on names like Al-phil for elephant, Baidaq for pawn, Shah for king, Rokh for rook, Ferz for vazier and Asb for horse. The game was brought to Europe by British, French and Spaniards who travelled to the Arab world. Here it acquired the name of chess where the vizier was replaced by the queen and the elephant by bishop (though in Hindi and Urdu, these are still called vazier and haathi). Chess rapidly developed in the 19th century when it became a competitive game. The first modern chess tournament was held in 1851 in London and 35 years later in 1886, the World Chess Championship was established. Chess underwent a transfornation in the 20th century when the number of annually held master tournaments and matches grew rapidly and the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) was established. It saw the rise of Vishwanathan Anand who won his first match in 1993 but narrowly lost in the quarter-final to Russian Anatoly
Karpov.
The Star Wars chess set pits good against evil. The set includes 32 pewter figurines with Jedi wearing gold and the Empire done in a silver finish. All the famous characters from the Star Wars film including Darth Vader, R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia battle it out on the chess board. Price:
Rs 36,000
The gold and silver plated brass chess set from Italian games company, Italfama, is simply gorgeous. The chess pieces have variegated patterns, created by blending gold and silver with a darker-base metal. Weighing around seven kilos, the chess set comes packaged in a green and gold fancy box. Price:
Rs 1.20 lakh
The stunning chess set by Italian sports car-manufacturer Ferrari is made from carbon-fibre covered wood, personalised with enamelled metal with a Ferrari shield on the front. The playing board has squares in carbon-fibre and fibreglass. The chess pieces are made from black and red varnished wood. Price:
Rs 1.77 lakh
The LED glow-in-the-dark chess board on offer on www.amazon.com adds a twist of fun to the classic game. Each piece is lit from the inside while it is on the board but once captured and removed from the board, the glow fades out. While at rest, the board and pieces can be charged with a power adapter connected to the board. Price:
Rs 6,000
Give your game a touch of sophistication with this modern chess board that makes the moves come to life. Designed by American gaming artist Adin Mumm, this beautiful concave board makes the rounded pieces to wobble and quiver, providing an interesting element to a timeless favourite. Price:
Rs 15,000
The Art of War chess board is well tailored and inlaid with solid gold and rhodium. Every piece is studded with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones. Offered exclusively on www.artofwarchess.com, this one-of-a-kind collectible has its value revised each time the gold prices go up. Price:
Rs 6 crore
Lewis Carroll, the creator of Alice In Wonderland, loved the game of chess and that is reflected in many of his stories. This chess set by London’s Ann Carlton Studio has pieces based on the characters of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass with Alice as the queen of the chess board. Price:
Rs 27,000
The robotic chess companion challenges you to play against a robot, which moves its own pieces with a robotic arm. It is programmed with 128 levels of play, ranging from those meant for the novices to checkmate in six moves. It analyses your skill levels after every match and gives hints about how to play better the next time. Price:
Rs 9,000
This amazingly detailed chess set is a replica of the Final Challenge as seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Made by British company Noble Collection, it has a timeless aesthetic appeal. And whether you love the game of chess or Harry Potter, this set guarantees to cast a spell on you. Price:
Rs 28,500
Lions, giraffes, zebras, monkeys and other animals are given shape to in this chess set offered by Amazon. The set features lion as the king and zebra as the four knights. All the pieces are made of teak and hand-painted by Italian artists. The chess set has an element of fun to it. Price:
Rs 45,000
This chess set depicts the legend of King Arthur. It features the knights of Camelot and their swords made of stones. Each chess piece is hand-painted, meticulously crafted from stone and gives a porcelain feel to the entire set. Price:
Rs 78,000 The Medieval Venice set by online luxury gifts store Pianki is made from bronze, which is plated with 24-carat gold and silver. The ensemble visualises a Medieval battle between patricians and knights. There are soldiers wielding shields, lances and swords. Each piece is three-dimensional in shape. Price:
Rs 18.30 lakh
This extremely precious, solid 18-carat gold and diamond royal chess set from the California-based House of Solid Gold is a beautiful piece of art. It is lavishly studded with fancy black and yellow diamonds. Entirely handmade, this game of kings is a proof of meticulous craftsmanship, harmonic synthesis of aesthetics and beauty. Price:
Rs 2.22 crore
This is one-of-a-kind chess set being offered on www.etsty.com. All 32 pieces are made from bullet shell casings, decorated with cuts, slashes, curls and bends. The board is constructed from hot-rolled steel. Each board square is individually cut, prepped and welded in the steel frame and hand painted in black. Price:
Rs 30,600
This is among the 10 most-expensive chess sets in the world. The royal-diamond chess set by American jewellery designer Bernard Maquin is made by using 1168.75 grams of 14-carat white gold and approximately 9,900 black and white diamonds. It took over 4,500 hours to create this stunning masterpiece. Price:
Rs 3.6 crore
The Three-Player chess set by online company www.3manchess.com is a round board that enables three people to play the game simultaneously. Played just like the conventional chess, addition of a third person adds a dimension of intrigue to the game with multiple twists and turns. Price:
Rs 3,000
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Bling it on
PLUMBING THE DEPTHS
Price:
Rs 7.5 crore
Though auctions of vintage timepieces are nothing new but what stood out at the recently held event by the Geneva-based Antiquorum Auctioneers was the exquisitely crafted Singing Bird Cage Clock by Swiss company Jaquet Droz. Made in 1785, the gilded-brass timepiece features a painted bird with a magical jumping effect, automated beak, wings, and tail as well as a waterfall that can be activated both at will and by the clock every three hours. The delicate bird itself is beautifully constructed to the last detail, including glass eyes and a bone beak. The rare clock was snapped up by a Russian who was among the world’s leading collectors to throng the auction in pursuit of this bird that jumps from perch to perch inside the cage every hour when the gong starts chiming. Auctioned for:
Rs 1.83 crore
PHONE CASE FOR MILLIONAIRES Price:
Rs 60,000
On a sound footing Price:
Rs 11,140
NAIL ART FROM A SHOEMAKER Price:
Rs 40,500
Dedicated kitchen tablet Price:
Rs 24,000
DIGITAL MAKEOVER FOR COFFEE Price: Rs 9,600
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Divyanshu Dutta Roy
IT is a game that has always been associated with royalty. Even in the present times, chess has a huge fan following and is further growing at a rapid pace. Its history dates back 15 centuries and is associated with the art of war for its sudden killer moves aimed at the opponent. The popularity of the game has been appropriately encapsulated by American thinker and inventor Benjamin Franklin who wrote, ‘Chess teaches foresight, by having to plan ahead.’
The stars sparkle
Game of gold
Value of the label
Let there be light
High on technology
Precious little things
Animated wonders
Robot to the rescue
Magical moves
Designs from Italy
In the fantasy world
War of the knights
Glittering affair
Shine of the metal
One among the best
Three times the fun
The race for the bottom of the sea has started in the right earnest and the world’s leading companies are coming out with wonder submarines with such regularity that it may soon be as easy to buy a sub as it is to purchase a super sports car —provided you have moolah to burn. Dutch submersible manufacturer U-Boat Worx has launched its new ultra-compact 2-person HP Sport Sub 2, which is a high-performance submarine. It has a 100-m depth-rating and weighs 2,200 kg and is being touted as the best choice among personal sports submersibles. Little wonder then that it is being called a subsea Ferrari.
Bird Frozen In Time
If you are among the growing number of admirers of iPhone 6, then this case is ideal for you. But there is one caveat, it may be more expensive than the phone itself! The Swarovski Crystal case by the British designer phone case company Uunique holds the iPhone securely in place giving you the confidence that the costly device remains protected. The carbon design that is made up of 300 different-sized crystals is formed with a durable hard shell plastic. The rear of the case features a scattering of daisy flowers made up of yellow and silver coloured crystals. The case has been hand polished to ensure the crystals sparkle all time giving a stylish edge to the iPhone. 
The sounds from the Bose Corporation seem to be getting better and better every year. Take for example its new SoundLink Colour Bluetooth speaker. The small device connects wirelessly to the smartphone or tablet and plays your favourite music. Coming in a selection of five colours, this compact and rugged speaker weighs just over half a kilo, offers lifelike sounds and boasts features like a rechargeable battery good for up to eight hours of playback. It also features voice prompts that make pairing a breeze and intelligent bluetooth that remembers up to eight paired devices. So, if your music keeps you moving, this device is ready to move with you.
From heels to nails is but a small step for renowned French footwear designer-turned-beauty-guru Christian Louboutin. He has added a dash of sparkle to his portfolio with the Rouge Louboutin Starlight Edition. The bottle of the bright red nail polish shimmers with 1,500 two-tone Strass crystals which are intricately applied by hand. The tall slender cap is inspired by Louboutin’s Ballerina Ultima’s dramatic 8-inch heel. The bottle is nestled inside a velvet-lined case which flaunts the black lacquered finish on the outside with a dash of iconic red on the sides and two elegant roses on the top making it an ideal gift for a woman who has everything.
The era of the smart home is upon us. Today we find ourselves dazed by a burst of technology delivered at our doorstep. Take for example the first-ever touch-screen tablet called Qooq, which is exclusively designed for the kitchen. Launched by French technology company Unowhy, the tablet comes preloaded with 1,000 international recipes and also enables users to learn directly with some of the leading chefs of the world. The tablet has a foldaway stand and an integrated timer and is both spill- and slip-proof. It not just makes cooking interactive but also loads of fun. 
This is a godsend gadget for those who love their morning coffee but loathe to get out of bed to make a steaming cup. Now the lay heads can brew a pot of coffee from their bed or for that matter from any other place without even being close to the pot. The WeMo-enabled optimal brew smart coffeemaker by American company Mr. Coffee can be operated with a smartphone. Simply sync it to the free WeMo app and you will have all-day access at your fingertips. The app lets you turn on or off the coffee maker from anywhere giving you a smarter and more efficient option to get your caffeine fix.