Micromax Canvas Tab P666 with Intel Inside™

We are on the last day of the year 2014 and it is time to embrace New Year and New Beginnings. 

While the year 2014 was quite a spectacular year in terms of innovation and technology, with telecom spectrum re-allocation, strengthening of existing telecom service providers and also the year when some of the old yet mighty telecom operators [in Mumbai] like Loop Telecom closed their shops and their existing subscribers who were not yet moved in to other service providers offering 3G Internet capability unlike Loop, too made their much awaited movement to the two topmost telecom operators of India- Airtel and Vodafone. 

Basis my experience, the game changer was the Data aka Internet services that made consumers spoil for choices and a greater bargain ensued in the marketer with lesser sold operators like DOCOMO making a beeline to poach the "Loop residual" consumers by luring them with attractive, read Free Data services. Indeed, it is the new generation in telecom and computing and Internet is indeed a game changer in this field. 

While India is slowly moving from 3G Internet to 4G Internet, subscriber penetration is still quite a big challenge that many a telecom operators face while selling their premium Data Services. In simpler words, lesser number of Internet supporting, smart devices in the market acts a major hindrance to a higher penetration percentage of mobile Internet users in India. Is it a purchasing power parity issue or issue related to lower availability of right handset or something else? 

If you ask me, it is primarily due to "lower smartphone/ device" penetration that is preventing the increase in number of mobile data penetration in India. Is Device availability really a challenge especially when e-commerce sites like Flipkart closes sales of a Chinese newly released handset within few seconds of launch? Well, I think the market is laden with multiple devices and often these device brands are competing against each other to win what I call "whatever readily available" device market share. To cut the story short, the consumer today is looking for not just smartphones/ smart devices but "high quality and lower priced" devices. Perchance the major reason how Samsung succeeded in Nokia Led market and now, Micromax is giving brand like Samsung a big run for its money with their attractive bouquet of feature laden, good looking handsets with competitive pricing and high reliability factor. 

Micromax is indeed one of the high selling brand in the open market and is on its way to soon replace the position/ grab the high market share of high selling brands like Samsung. 

Coming back to our original reference to New year, we need to realize that apart from the other fields, Mobile Internet has some huge plan up on it's sleeves with Reliance Gio gearing for their LTE Launch and Airtel spreading its 4G offering in Mumbai. Forget PK, Data is the new God, new God of the year 2015. While there is "One God" for the spiritual world, the telecom and computing world of 2015 will have 2 gods- Consumer and high Speed Data / Devices. New beginnings are all about discovering your passion. Device brands are not leaving stones unturned to capture this new phenomenon even better in coming year. So why would a giant like Micromax be lagged behind?

Micromax Canvas Tab P666

Micromax, in order to expand its product offerings[ strengthening market share] and living up with it's promise to bring "high end feature smart devices under competitive cost" has recently launched- Micromax Canvas Tab P666.

The device is targeted to high Internet users like the gaming Buffs, brand promises to provide mobile experience at lightening speed. The promise is supported by the rich feature including Intel processor. The feature includes-

Processor

• Intel® Atom™ Processor (1.2GHz)
• Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology for Smooth Multi-Tasking
• Intel® Burst Performance Technology for Better Performance
• 1GB RAM

Camera

• 5 MP Rear Camera
• 2MP Front Camera [ awe bad news for selfie takers though]
• 1080p HD Video- recording and playback

Battery

• 325 hours* stand by time
• 6 hours* browsing time 
• 7 hours* video playback time

Storage

• 8GB ROM
• Expandable up to 32 GB

Design: The tab is a chiseled 7.9mm sleek encased in  an exquisite glass finish with aluminium rim on sides.

Now coming to the main feature that we started our post talking about- The speed factor and connectivity. The tablet offers 3G connectivity with Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, Voice call support, GSB and Micro USB support.

Well if you are beginner than these speed and specs works for you. If you are still latched to your old world 2G handset where you use WAP or BREW as platform to browse Internet or wonder if the iPhone and Samsung of the world is too expensive a proposition and you aim for a better battery life, this device is for you. What are you waiting for? Start exploring the wide world of Mobile Internet with your new Micromax Canvas Tab P666. At RS 10,999 it is a low risk device to begin with.

What can I achieve with it's promised lightening speed?
I am a a gaming freak who loves social media and loves big screen. I love reading while travelling but damn small screen smartphones, they make reading slow and difficult. Imagine a whole big screen to play all those wonderful car chase games with? Whoa! And Music? Yup, with upto 32 GB expandable memory, I can store more, live more.So pictures, musics..no more constant deletions. Lets shot some videos with a wide tab screen.

Did I tell you the screen size? Well it is 20.32cm (8) WXGA IPS screen. Further specs may confuse you. So here's embedding a demo video of the same. Do go through it and given the fact that a lot of demo devices are available at MBOs Multi Branded Outlets for your to personally experience, you can live the adage- the proof of pudding is in eating.



This New Year, I am aiming to go 4G from 3G. I wish if this tablet was available 2-3 years back. Even earlier this year when I wasted my hard earned money purchasing a not so well performing tab from Lenovo. Husssh lets talk about Micromax here. To know more about the product checkout this link- Micromax Canvas Tab P666

Oriss Swiss Watches, a 110 year old Luxury Brand

Time is indeed a luxury. Hence I like to add a little luxury to the way I see my time. A trait that well reflects in the watches that I chose for self or family. Hmm, and who makes watches better than Swiss-smiths? :)

While the Swiss are known to perfect the art of timekeeping, given the sea of wonderful brands and designs that they offer, it has become very difficult to swim through and pick a watch. The specification makes me no better person especially when it comes to buying a watch for a male member of the family. Cause specification is endless. Then comes the look factor. The wear-ability factor and most importantly, would he like what I choose for him? Will it make sense? To top the confusion, if the male member happens to be a "high flying" fighter pilot of the family? yeah, the confusion becomes worst and you look for something that would not just entice him but make sure that he uses the product.

And men! going by my experience, give them good watches, they love it. It does what chocolates and flowers do to women. It is also a safe buy :)

While the market is inundated with brands here and there including the clothing major foraying into this arena with products flaunting in their signature collection. I stumbled across a name that has been there. Been there from a century and a decade plus. The name is- Oris.

Watchmaking takes to the skies with The New Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter

The histories of watchmaking and aviation are inextricably linked. Flying was the future of the 20th Century. It was fast, exciting, dangerous, and the men and women who took to the skies became heroic figures. Like the aircraft themselves, early navigational flying aids were very basic and gave birth to the need of quality timekeeping instruments for Pilots so they could depend on when planning routes and maneuvers, and undertaking airborne missions. Though Pocket watches rule the trend during the early flight years at the beginning of the 20th century. However, if you see that pilots, who would be gloved to protect them from the elements, fumbling around in a pocket for an important reading was totally impractical and a bad idea. 

In the sea of innovation came Oris that developed Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter to serve as a high-performance instrument for pilots, mountaineers, explorers and research scientists, who work at altitude. Its sturdy 47mm multi-piece stainless steel case houses an Oris automatic movement, and a Swiss mechanical barometric altimeter and barometer movement. Phew!

The story continues in 2014 when ORIS introduced the Big Crown ProPilot collection, a series of mechanical watches designed to cope with the extremely complicated and demanding life in the cockpit. After the initial 3 models a date, day/date, both with an enlarged font sized, and a chronograph, ORIS has recently unveiled the most complicated pilot's watch it has ever made- the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter. 

I am told that the new watch is a pioneer innovation demonstrating the brand's exceptional watchmaking knowledge and horological ambition, both being built supremely over their 110 years of watchmaking history. 

The moment Is aw it, I was like- yes this is what I want for my fighter pilot. But why?

How the patented Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter works-

It has 2 crowns. The crown at 2'0 clock is a conventional crown to adjust time and date. Also to wind the watch [the automatic movement has 38-hour power reserve].  The second screw drew crown at 4'0 clock operates the altimeter. It has positions rangings from 0 to 2 ro calibrate the altimeter. Once set, the watch shows the current altitude via the yellow indicator and the corresponding air pressure via the red indicator. Phew! That is a lot of know-how I gathered while researching through this watch. In the end, all that I could reminisce and tell was that the watch is the world's first automatic mechanical altimeter watch developed for ambitious explorers. <moment of victory, a sudden triumph]. 

This has alone made Mr Fighter Pilot aka my cousin smile broadly, ear to ear and, me heaving a sigh that Phew! the efforts paid and gift was accepted by the receiver. 

The watch is very much available in the market [since September 2014] and if you ae interested, here's few specifications that you may like to know-

• Oris automatic mechanical movement Cal. 733, based on SW200 with date window at 3 o’clock 

• Black dial with printed Arabic numerals filled with Super-LumiNova®, same as hour and minute hands 

• Screw-in stainless steel crowns. Patented Oris altimeter adjustment and venting crown, incl. a PTFE vapour barrier

• Integrated Swiss mechanical barometric altimeter and barometer movement 

•  Sapphire crystal domed and with anti-reflective coating on both sides

•  Multi-piece stainless steel case. Water-resistant to 10 bar/100m 

• Screwed case back 

• Altimeter hand made from laminated carbon fibre 

• Textile strap with stainless steel folding clasp. Also available with leather strap or metal bracelet 

• Swiss Retail Price CHF 3,300 with textile strap, CHF 3,500 with metal bracelet 

Price: On request

Beauty Under Review

Good afternoon folks and all my readers. I know I have been keeping away from this space and in spite of being an active beauty reviewer and watcher, I am struggling for time and time to bring upon my discoveries, experiences, reviews, etc from my dresser to Instagram to the blog. Time is indeed luxury! Well, that reminds me of another luxury and lifestyle brand under review. The details will follow later. 

Here's a small list of different products that are currently under review and would soon find their details on www.hautekutir.com. Here we go-

1) Lakme Absolute Gel Stylist

I am not a stickler for nail paints but off late, I often found myself drooling over different shades and painting my nails with. One shade that I have been drooling since the past month is- Lakme Absolute Gel Stylist in Blue.

2) Epique Advanced UV protection System

Well, the Swiss luxury had already made their foray in the Indian Market. And I love all things that claim to be biological. I have heard some rave reviews about it from a family member and could not wait to try it up. However, my allergy to SPF prevented me from immense experimentation, I could not wait for more to try it out and share a review. 

3) Schwarzkopf BC Hair Therapy Range.

I love their products in the Salon specialist category. I heard they are much better than what I tried with some L'Oreal Salon treatment products. Hence I am keeping this month reserved for Schwarzkopf BC products. I would like you to stay on this page for further updates. Disclaimer- exciting things up!

4) The Tamara Resorts Coorg

Umm if you follow me on Instagram, you would know what I am talking about. More to come :)

There are more products in the offing, lying happily in the kitty and some being a part of my regular Beauty and makeup regime. Lakme, Oriflame and Victoria's Secret to name few. 

Like I said, keep tuned to this page. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter [@Numerounity] and Facebook Page to see what am I trying on a daily basis.

I am more active on Instagram and you can follow me at @Ektakhetan 

Show me your love and we may soon go up on Viber too [if only time gives that luxury].

Also, I am loving all the emails that you have sent me to Gmail. I go through each of them and do expect a reply from me or Team HauteKutir. Keeping sending me your unspammed love at hautekutir@gmail.com 

Like I said- Exciting things up with www.hautekutir.com

Beauty Event- When Himalaya Created a New Guinness World Record in #Facials

On 29th November, India witnessed a new Guinness Book Record created. This time, the record was not for the tallest person on the earth or maximum nos of run scored. This time, the beauty and personal care industry had taken a leap of faith and shown to the world, that Indians once make up their minds, can work wonders too. Even in the field of beauty and cosmetics, we are no inferior to phoren brands. The maestro in this swan song was- Himalaya Herbals.

Himalaya Herbals is one of the India's leading herbal health and personal care brand. It had a super fun, trendsetting activity at the Jashoda Rang Mandir Grounds, JUHU, Mumbai, wherein the brand had set a new Guinness World Record of successfully conducting not 1, nor 5 nor 100 but total 286 facials at the same time, simultaneously at the same location.

Woo Hoo it is quite a feat considering the last record [if I am not wrong was around 230 facials. 

The #PureSkinFacial

The event was very graciously hosted by and under the expert guidance of Beauty expert Veena Desai who not just conducted the overall facial ceremony but also shared ample beauty tips and tricks during the session throughout. While she was instructing the facial experts and beauticians who were performing live facials on their assigned clients, she also suggested them to focus on client satisfaction, a trait that many big Salons and Beauticians miss these days.   She also addresses the importance of regular and healthy skincare routine that women need to adapt at the early ages of their life. 

Beautician Veena Desai in Action. Picture Courtesy www.hautekutir.com

Beauticians at work.
Picture Courtesy www.hautekutir.com

The Himalaya Products that were used for the Facials.  

The record-breaking session was certified by a very gorgeous and accessible Fortuna Burke, the Guinness Adjudicator. Fortuna was very excited about being in India and was looking ahead to her time in the city of Mumbai that she found quite urbane and chilled out.

That's yours truly with Adjudicator Fortuna Burke discussing flea market shopping in Mumbai and Celebrate Bandra

#PureSkinFacials and the Lovely Shraddha Kapoor

The final award ceremony was graced by the affable looking, a super gorgeous Shraddha Kapoor. Shraddha was a delight to watch as she was not only sporty about the whole engagement but she looked resplendent in her apt green Knee length dress. Her dress was extremely apt for the event and everyone around couldn't stop taking their eyes off her. 

On dressing and appearance, she scored 10/10.

She was a doll to watch and unlike many other young celebs, quite in command of her way with words. She quoted-

Being a part of a world record is so exciting! A healthy regimen must consist of cleansing, toning ,and moisturizing followed by using products that are healthy and natural. All these aspects were clearly demonstrated today. Guinness World Record! That’s very cool!

Shraddha presented the certificate from Guinness World Records to Executives of Himalaya Herbals. 

 The event was followed by the personal interaction with PR and the digital team of Himalaya Herbal. Post discussion, the visiting bloggers, media, and journos with "Media Only" tag were treated for a lovely and delicious lunch by the Umang caterers. 

I attended the event with my friend Aarti and Meghna whom I invited to join this moment of victory that Himalaya created, making the nation proud. I must applaud the event managing media and agency for their flawless execution of a large scale event like this. It is no mean feat to gather more than 400 people and conduct such an event while trying to make a new World Record.

Thank You Team Himalaya for such a lovely event and the fabulous gifts. 

___________________________________________________________________

                                                           To Stay updated with HauteKutir, do follow me on-

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Show Your love!

Bottega di LungaVita launches ‘LINFA – AGE’ skincare line for this fall

Tradition, Science, and Innovation

Well, that's what is the philosophy of Bottega di LungaVita, an Italian brand for natural cosmetic and dietary supplement company. The brand has come up with a new range of skincare for both face and Body- LINFA- Age.

The LINFA AGE line, contains phytotherapeutic extracts and has been formulated for the daily care of skin, both on the face and body. It is claimed to be suitable for some of the more common dermatological complaints, such as sensitive and reactive skin, dry and devitalized skin, senescent and thinned skin and greasy and impure skin as confirmed by the brand.

This new product line is amalgamated with herbs, ingredients, and formulations from ancient Roman times and science in India for the first time. According to the company, these formulations were used in the invention of cosmetics. This best-ever range fulfills the need of every individual going through smog, dust, pollution and oxidation that threaten skin and hair every day. This line offers a specialist dermatological approach providing a perfect solution for wellness and skin care.

This Italian brand is similar to the essence of India, rooted in its rich territory and general natural assets, their products endow with a mixture of bountiful fruits, biodiversity & precious reserve for pharmacological ingredients. These products reassure the sense of living that has been lost. Coming directly from Italian formulations, science & technology, and an attractive packaging, these products are specially made there and are brought to India at competitive price points so one can live an Italian way of Life. 

This is the LINFA – AGE brand's first steps in the Indian market and it offers an array of Shampoos, cleansing milk, night creams, tonic lotions, facial masks to wrap the body gracefully with a hint of perfection. LINFA – AGE is for all skin types and for both men and women.

Recommend this energizing shower bath tonic containing ginseng and Hypericum for Daily Cleansing of the skin, stimulating and reinvigorating the body. Good news is it is "Paraben Free".

So this autumn, make every day a sparkling experience for your body with the LINFA – AGE line and keeping the world guessing the reason for the ever-glowing YOU! If you have used these products, do share your experience with us here and also what has been your favorite range as well. We would love to hear from you.

Price starting from INR: 990/- onwards

TG: Unisex