Tata Aria 4x2 in Lavasa

The Tata Aria 4x2 extends the range to new segments and redefines several benchmarks with its design and technologies.

Photography: Clint Thomas, Yahoo! India News

The Aria’s stylish design is inlaid with the DNA of an SUV, manifested in its stance, power, driveability and safety.

The Aria’s styling is a blend of bold proportions, uncluttered lines and uncompromising aesthetics.

Its 2.2 litre Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) engine, with variable turbine technology and 32-bit ECU delivers 140 PS power and 320 Nm torque.


The Aria is equipped with disc brakes on all four wheels resulting in superior braking effectiveness and better control. The Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Breakforce Distribution (EBD) aids steerability and control in emergency braking situations and on slippery surfaces.

The Aria’s stylish design is inlaid with the DNA of an SUV, manifested in its stance, power, driveability and safety.

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The Tata Aria 4x2 is being launched in three trim levels – the Aria Prestige at the top end, the Aria Pleasure and the Aria Pure.

The 2-DIN music system and Bluetooth, along with steering mounted phone and music controls, helps switch between music and conversation at the touch of a button.


The twin chrome exhaust tailpipes adds a sporty appearance to the rear, however, if you look closer, the exhaust pipes can be seen inside the chrome rings. Bad!

The suspension is designed to achieve an optimal balance between ride comfort and control and stability, both on normal roads and in offroading. Its low-roll characteristics and higher soaking capacity further ensure a sedan-like ride quality and SUV-like offroading capability.

Wraparound dual barreled headlamps complement the signature Tata grille. Chrome detailing on the sides accentuates its premium class.


The Aria’s frame is constructed with advanced hydroformed members. Hydroforming enhances their rigidity while reducing weight.


All seats, except the driver's, can be flat-folded, giving you lots of luggage space - even space to stuff in a Tata Nano.

Roof utility bins, a glove-box chiller and conveniently placed cup holders helps keep every thing you want within easy reach.

There are seven roof utility bins on the Tata Aria, a feature that no other auto maker could ever think of. Moreover, there are cup holders for every passenger in the car.


The Tata Aria 4x2 is being launched in three trim levels – the Aria Prestige at the top end, the Aria Pleasure and the Aria Pure.

The interiors reflect the same richness and elegance in design, layout, and visual appeal.


Premium leather upholstery enhances richly textured trims in single or dual tone themes.

There is no need to look back even to park – a Reverse Guide System helps you with exactitude. The Driver Information System continuously indicates essential drive data, the Automatic Climate Control, through roof-mounted AC vents, keeps the cabin temperature ambient.

The Scent of a Man

The Art Of Smelling As Good As You Possibly Can


After a shower and a shave, the next step in grooming is making sure you smell good throughout your day. The right scent in the right amount can make a big difference in how you are perceived in the business and social world. Over do it and you can send executives sneezing down the hall!


How to wear fragrance:
Your nose is still asleep when you wake up in the morning. It also becomes oblivious to a smell quickly; so resist the urge to overdo it.
Scent rises, so apply cologne to pulse points on your lower body like your chest or lower.
Heat releases the scent. Pulse points are the where the blood comes closest to the skin and warms the area, such as your wrists, neck, base of the throat and behind the ears. The heat generated by your blood flow at these points will intensify the fragrance.
Don’t mix fragrances. Try to use the same brand and fragrance for deodorant, cologne, etc or stick to odor free hair and deodorant products.
Layering different products of the same fragrance — like body wash, aftershave and cologne, will give you better results that last longer.
Don’t overwhelm your coworkers. It may be best not to wear fragrance (except deodorant) to work.  You can avoid cologne during the daytime.  Saving it just for evenings also saves money.
Spray — you’ll use less and control the application better. A spray is easier to use; it doesn’t drip down your arm and onto your clothes. With the splash-on, you have to open the cap. Over time this lets the alcohol evaporate, which lowers the shelf life.
With the splash type bottle there is a tendency to touch the open bottle to your skin. The skin has natural bacteria which backwashes into the bottle and contaminates your cologne. So a spray will last longer.
An effective method of application is to spray the scent into the air and walk into it!
If you apply fragrance by hand, try to keep your right hand (the one you shake hands with) fragrance free.
You might want to vary fragrances between seasons. Wear a different scent in the winter than you did in the summer; or use a different aroma for daytime than the night.
Tips For Caring And Storage:
Most fragrances won’t keep after six months to one year from the date of production, not when you buy it! So make sure it’s “fresh” at the store. Clearance centers may be less expensive but they may be selling 2 or 3 year old fragrances, so it’s wise to purchase yours from reputable department and drug stores. Even then, look for boxes in plastic wrap. If they aren’t packaged in shrink-wrap, make sure the box looks new and not faded.
Fragrance is a mixture of oils and alcohol. Heat releases the scent, which is why the best places to apply are where the skin is warmest. This is also why heat and light can deteriorate your fragrance and make the oils rancid. Don’t keep those showy bottles out on your bathroom counter in direct sunlight. Keep them in the cabinet where it’s dark, cool and dry. It’s also wise, to buy the smallest bottle you can. I know you got a deal, but will you really use 64 ounces in one year?

US remake of "Prime Suspect" gets British blessing

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Producers of the U.S. remake of award-winning British crime drama "Prime Suspect" said on Monday the new series was lighter and with more humor than the original, but that it had won the blessing of both its creator and star Helen Mirren.
Maria Bello stars as the tough homicide detective who fights crime on the streets of New York, as well as sexism in the police force in the series, which gets its debut on NBC in September.
The admired British miniseries, starring Mirren, was first made in the 1990s, and broke new ground in television with its grim portrayal of ambitious, smart, female detective Jane Tennison, whose private life is a wreck.
Executive producer and writer Alexandra Cunningham said the U.S. version would focus less on outright sexism and would have less of the dark edge that marked the original version.
"There is so much great stuff there that we want to use as touchstones to make our own show great. But we also want fans of original to be able to tune in and enjoy it on its own level," Cunningham told television reporters.
Bello said she had not studied Mirren's performance while preparing for her role as the rude, abrupt and occasionally reckless Jane Timoney.
"I had seen it some years ago and remembered it a bit (as) being really dark. But when I read the script it was such a different show...because of the humour and because of it being modernized and set in New York city, so I haven't gone back to watch it," the actress said.
But the U.S. producers said that British writer Lynda LaPlante had written to them giving her seal of approval for the updated concept.
"She (LaPlante) couldn't be happier that Maria is shouldering the character...She is happy it is being modernized, and there's nobody better to do it than Maria. And Maria reminds people of Helen Mirren in her strength and her complete lack of vanity," Cunningham said.
Oscar-winner Mirren, asked at an industry party in March, also said she was delighted at the choice of Bello, Cunningham said.
"Prime Suspect" is one of the most anticipated new dramas on U.S. television in the new season which starts in September.

Turnaround not impossible: MS Dhoni

Even as the last rites were being performed, Zaheer Khan stepped out in India's flaming red shirt and started bowling; he began slowly, testing his legs, his run-up and finally his follow-through. "It's not yet over," surmised captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he watched his premier pacer trying to regain fitness for the crucial this Test next week. "A turnaround is not impossible," he said. "At the top level, you often find yourselves in this situation. 


"You just need to have belief in yourself and the team. You just try and make it happen," he added. India are already down 0-2 after losing at Lord's and at Trent Bridge; if they lose another Test, or fail to win at least one, they can kiss the No.1 title goodbye. 


Dhoni, though, was not willing to think about that right now. The defeat will hurt but he knows he and his team have already done something even more special: they have lifted the game itself with their sporting gesture on Sunday afternoon. 


"There have been similar incidents in the past too. We ourselves faced one in West Indies (where Laxman was stumped out after lifting his foot while trying to balance himself). So we didn't want to bring a revenge-like feeling here," he said, even as the Trent Bridge crowd gave him a loud cheer. 


Detailing the decision to recall Ian Bell, Dhoni said: "When we went back to the dressing room, we knew that it was all OK. But we were not really feeling right about it. It's not about the laws of the game or its spirit. We thought we should do it for the game." 


He added: "The team and I are really happy that we called Bell back." 


The captain accepted that India lost the Test on the opening day itself, when England were allowed to claw back from 124 for eight. "It was the turning point. Broad and Swann played a few brave shots and the mishits fell in vacant spots. That's what they needed and the 100 runs made the difference," he said. 


He praised his pacers even while revealing that they were tired. "We have come straight from West Indies and they bowled very well. But we have not put enough runs on the board. It is a matter of concern as we are known for that," Dhoni said.

Sabean satisfied with Giants' trades at deadline

Brian Sabean's assumption that second baseman Freddy Sanchez will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery was partly behind the acquisition of shortstop Orlando Cabrera, the general manager said after the nonwaiver trade deadline passed Sunday.


Sabean could not make one final move for a catcher, and his bid for Houston leadoff hitter Michael Bourn was trumped by Atlanta.


Still, Sabean expressed satisfaction in acquiring a starting shortstop, second baseman (Jeff Keppinger) and potentially potent right fielder (Carlos Beltran) while losing only one premium prospect in pitcher Zack Wheeler.


"There was going to be some bloodletting somewhere," Sabean said. "We did this as best we could with the least amount of pain."


Sabean believed that none of the catchers available was an upgrade over Eli Whiteside or Chris Stewart. Though both have struggled to hit, and Whiteside's defense has weakened since he started playing more, Sabean said manager Bruce Bochy was "protective" of the two because of their handling of the pitchers.


Sabean noted the Giants' ERA has fallen since Buster Posey got hurt and said, "I talk to the pitchers, and they're very comfortable with these guys.


"It has to go both ways. It's not only important to add somebody with more points on his batting average or perhaps a chance to drive in runs, you have to have somebody who's a slam dunk to handle the staff. We were not able to find that kind of catcher."


The Braves acquired Bourn for four players. A source familiar with Sunday's talks said the Astros wanted several prospects from the Giants for Bourn, including one on Sabean's "untouchable" list, which is thought to include first baseman Brandon Belt, center fielder Gary Brown and heat-throwing reliever Heath Hembree.


"Some teams, or one team, thought they had a better deal," Sabean said, referring to Houston.


As for Cabrera, Sabean said, "We had to react to being undermanned and couldn't pass up this opportunity."


He said shortstops Brandon Crawford and Mike Fontenot "looked overmatched with the bat." Moreover, the Giants do not see Miguel Tejada coming off the disabled list in the next two weeks.


Infield depth becomes an even bigger issue if Sanchez undergoes surgery to repair his dislocated right shoulder. He has been rehabbing in Arizona, and there was talk he would hit in summer-league games as soon as today. That was not soon enough for Sabean.


"With each passing day, you go into next year," the GM said. "For me, personally, it doesn't look good."


Cabrera went 0-for-3 in his Giants debut Sunday. He also made two defensive plays on Ramon Hernandez that answered some concerns about his range and arm strength. In the second inning, he made a nice stop on a grounder up the middle. In the sixth, he reached a ball in the hole and made a strong throw to first.


Cabrera acknowledged he could not throw well in spring training because of an injury that occurred during his winter workouts.


"I played a couple of innings at short in Cleveland," he said. "I feel comfortable. I've got my arm strength back. I feel good. I feel well-rested. I look forward to doing my job."


Tonight, fans will see the Giants' new trio together at home, where Beltran hopes he will improve upon his 2-for-17 start.


"I'm grateful to Brian for bringing in some help," Bochy said. "Now it's up to us. We've got to go out and play our best ball. We've got to go out and do it and execute."






Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/31/SPM71KHGHQ.DTL#ixzz1Tnd5JLgA

Talk to your smartphone

Voice-control is a feature that not many of us use on our smartphones (available in iPhones & iPads, BlackBerry, Nokia and Android smartphones). But, app developers have taken the voice function a step ahead with voice-activated apps — facilitating hands-free computing.

It takes time to masters the commands, but once you are familiar with the apps they can help navigate or dictate actions faster.

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Vlingo || For BlackBerry, Android and iOS devices
Price: $10 (for add-ons)
Vlingo, a free virtual assistant app, allows you to access your emails, Twitter, Facebook, SMS and surf by using voice commands. For example: The voice command “Update Facebook; needs coffee right now” will update your Facebook status with “Needs coffee right now.”
You can also use similar commands to write a message on Twitter or search the web with a search engine (Yahoo or Google) of your choice. To dial a contact, Vlingo’s SuperDialer feature can be activated using command, “Dial XYZ.”

The app displays a preview of your message and prompts for a confirmation. The app also reads out incoming text messages and emails via SafeReader feature. For Rs 500, the app allows voice-enabled text messaging and a voice-to-text email option.In nine out of 10 cases, the app was accurate.

Voice camera Pro || For iPhone
Price: $0.99
Voice Camera Pro is an iPhone app that controls the camera using voice commands. Using the touchscreen to click pictures is usually difficult. With Voice Camera Pro clicking pictures become easy.Simple commands such as “shoot” or "double" (two shots at one go), allows hands-free photography. Use the headset in crowded places while using the voice command to transmit your comand clearly. It also allows you to customise commands. For example, if you wish to add “Say Cheese” to take a picture, then key in the words "Say Cheese" in the custom command field and save it. Next time, you utter the words the app will click a picture.

Google Voice Actions|| For Android devices
Price: Free
Launch the app, tap on the microphone icon and say what you want. That’s about all Google needs you to do with its Voice Actions app. The app allows easy search options using Google Maps to locate businesses and dial the contact automatically.You can also dictate email messages or record a note. The software is available in all phones running Android 2.2 or above. To run the app you will need to download Google Voice Search and a compatible music app from the Android Store.

To call someone, you simply have to tap the microphone button and say “Call XYZ” to dial XYZ or in case of multiple entries a list will prompt you to make your choice (home, office or mobile numbers stored on your device). To get directions, say ‘navigate to (name of place)’. The results will be displayed on Google Maps (make sure GPS is turned on).

Other features of Voice Actions allow you to directly access a website, set alarms and take notes.

Dragon Dictation || For iOS devices
Price: Free
The voice recognition application allows you to speak and instantly see your text or email messages. A free app, Dragon Dictation also sports features that allow users to dictate their social networking updates (Facebook, Twitter), send notes and reminders using voice commands. Dragon Dictation supports both US & UK English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. We found the voice-to-text conversion more accurate while using an external headset rather than speaking directly to the integrated microphone on the iPhone or iPad. Though it cannot read out your incoming mails or message like Vlingo, it does allow you to paste your dictated text onto any application using the clipboard feature. Another convenient editing feature is the list of suggested words (when the system confuses native words). After you have recorded your text, you can use the built-in keyboard to modify words or make any additions such as adding punctuation.

Created by text-to-speech software creator Nuance, Dragon Dictation is a boon for those who find mobile keyboards too cramped for typing. This free app should be a part of iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch list of apps.

SpaceWilli || For Android devices
Price: Free
SpaceWilli is a voice-controlled adventure game. Designed on voice input instead of traditional buttons or touch control, users have to steer a spaceship, christened SpaceWilli, with their voice. If you raise your voice, the spacecraft flies higher (and steers ahead of the obstacles) and when voice goes down, SpaceWilli also climbs down and crashes.

Learning to control the game with your voice does take a little time but it is a fun app to play with. You would be required to calibrate your voice to control the game and SpaceWilli is suitable to Android tablet PCs too.

Bollywood rocks at Khan bash

Salman Khan came to sister Arpita’s birthday bash at a suburban restaurant without his trademark ‘Being Human’ tee. Sonakshi Sinha, who’s been a regular at all of Salman’s functions, turned up looking trim in black.


Arpita herself was escorted to the premises amid all the rush of snaparazzi and the party regulars. Malaika and Arbaaz Khan were a couple, while sister Amrita Arora came with hubby Shakeel Ladak. Sohail Khan too dropped in for little sis. Deepika Padukone,  was in a merry mood and was seen laughing away heartily.


Kangna Ranaut came with her hair half-highlighted. Siddhartha Mallya seemed to be enjoying the do, while Dino Morea and Jackky Bhagnani were seen conversing with friends. Sunny with Anu Dewan and Sanjay with Maheep Kapoor formed a group among themselves.


Anusha Dandekar was in a pretty dress in animal prints while Ayesha Takia who was dressed in black was accompanied by hubby Farhan Azmi. Shabbir Ahluwalia with Kanchi Kaul represented the television industry.


Dress designers Shaina NC with hubby Munish and Shane and Falguni Peacock were seen. Also spotted was Aditi Govitrikar.