We expect 2013 to be a great year for travel. While in India travelling to meet friends and family continues to be the biggest segment, increasingly people are taking standalone holidays to explore new destinations. This is likely to grow further. According to me the major trends for the year are as follows: Social Suggestion People are progressively using social media to plan their travel. This trend will grow further. Several of our surveys show that while the number one travel-related activity on Facebook is posting pictures, taking an opinion while planning a holiday comes second. Whether it is deciding on a destination, a hotel or an activity, more and more people are going by the opinion of their friends on social media. Our travel app on Facebook called ‘Cities I’ve Visited’ is very popular — 37 million people have used it till now. We launched ‘Instant Personalisation’ some time back where you log in to Tripadvisor via Facebook. So when you search for a place, we are able to show you which of your friends have already been there. The App Route Smartphones and mobile applications are the way forward. In the past 18-24 months, the traction on our site via mobiles has more than doubled. While earlier it was 8 per cent, now 18-20 per cent of our traffic is on the mobile and this number is growing at 2x — the rate at which traffic on the desktop website is increasing. The mobile website and app are primarily being used during the holiday to check out restaurants and attractions. Total Recall The concept of people using reviews to plan their travel is not a niche concept anymore with a large number of Indian travellers using reviews to plan their travel. Action-packed Break As per our latest survey, 40 per cent of respondents said that they have either had an adventure holiday or want an adventure or activity-based holiday. This trend will increase further with a lot of resorts and hotels offering activity-oriented packages. New Experiences In our survey, 26 per cent of respondents said they wanted to go on a spa holiday while another 10 per cent wanted to go on a cruise. It’s no longer only about sightseeing, though shopping continues to be the number one activity. Also, domestic holiday destinations of choice are changing. There are several new destinations in the top 20 such as Khajuraho, Coorg and Chikmagalur. The author is the country manager at TripAdvisor India. (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 14-01-2013)
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Globally, there has been a growing trend towards wellness and preventive health and it has now caught on in India too. People are becoming aware of integrated healthcare, including med-spa procedures, preventive treatments and specific health-related services. In the future, medical centres and hospitals will be more open to incorporating spa and wellness offerings. Integrated healthcare is already under implementation in certain medical facilities. In the light of this, the big trends in 2013 will be as follows:lConsumers want to de-stress and spa menus are increasingly reflecting this ongoing trend in their offerings. Many spas are now providing self-discovery services and learning activities to help consumers recharge their mind, body and spirit. These include self-improvement courses, dance and movement classes, art and painting courses, cooking focused on health and nutrition, etc.lConsumers are moving away from what is perceived as just trendy to specific treatments with tangible results. This, along with a focus on wellness and lifestyle, including preventive medical screening, body therapies, fitness, yoga, tai chi, meditation, relaxation massages, nutrition and spirituality, is on the rise. Building sleep time into treatments is widely prevalent; this trend will continue well into the future. l The latest trend is for consumers to go to spas in groups — spending precious time bonding with friends and family while building healthier bodies and encouraging happier and more balanced lifestyles. Even the corporate sector is now providing spa services for employees to improve performance and minimise work-related illness and stress. lMove over ladies. Men are indulging themselves more than ever before, and males as a segment of spa consumers is growing. There is an increase not only in massages but in facials and nail services as well. l We are increasingly getting cut off from nature. The latest trend aims to correct this imbalance by increasing contact with Mother Earth, literally. So you are encouraged to walk barefoot on mud — promoting direct contact with the earth’s surface stabilises natural electrical rhythms and reduces disease-causing inflammation.Tracey Poole is spa director at the Six Senses Spa, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Greater Noida (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 14-01-2013)
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The world is talking about getting fit. Most people tell themselves a million times that it is time they get into shape. And while several are doing just that, there is still a large number that blames a lack of time for not being able to exercise. So, it is no surprise that the latest fitness trends focus on time-efficiency. Here are some exercise forms which, in various combinations, are likely to make it big in 2013. Yoga With PilatesWhile yoga de-stresses the mind and is a great way to improve suppleness and strength, pilates concentrates primarily on developing a strong core (stomach and back muscles). An exercise session which is a combination of yoga and pilates is perfect for:A mid-body workoutIncreasing flexibilityToning the coreImproving blood circulationTherapyHigh Energy With Zen-like RelaxationRunning, dancing and other high-energy exercises are known to give an ‘exercise high’ because of the endorphin rush. The Latin-inspired Zumba, our very own Bhangra and various other dance exercises are quite popular with those looking for a fast-paced workout.But the latest trend is to combine these high-energy workouts with various de-stress techniques such as meditation, pranayam, and simple deep-breathing exercises to relax the body. A Zen-like approach to exercise helpsBuild staminaBurn fatCalm the mindInduce relaxation (BW pic by Tribhuwan Sharma)Power Walk To FitnessEven those who are averse to exercise are open to the idea of going for a walk. Walking in the garden or even a footpath at an easy pace is their way to relax the body and mind. There are many different walking styles — from long leisurely walks to short brisk walks to power walking. The objective of power walking is to walk at such a fast pace that it is actually easier to break into a run. Not only does power walking burn more calories, it also increases stamina and muscle strength. In 2013, the trend is going to be interspersing regular walks with short periods of power walks to make the workouts more challenging. This combination will: Burn fatTone the bodyIncrease staminaBalance And Toning ExercisesThe key to maintaining perfect posture and stability is balance. It can be improved by performing certain yoga postures, exercising on the fit ball, core board, wobble board and other equipment. These exercises help screen deficits in strength, balance and co-ordination. Toning exercises play an important role in maintaining bone density and keeping the body strong. For a routine to be really effective it should includes exercises that target the major muscle groups of the upper-, mid- and lower body. Toning exercises are commonly performed on machines, using free weights and other resistance equipment. A workout which integrates balance and toning exercises will yield greater benefits as it will:Improve posture and stabilityTone the bodyImprove balanceImprove neuromuscular co-ordinationThe author is a wellness specialist at Bombay Hospital, Mumbai (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 14-01-2013)
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Sales of tablet computers in India are expected to at least double this year to 6 million, the market's third year of growth, as new devices attract business users and low costs draw consumers, research firm CyberMedia forecast.Sales are likely to have reached 3 million in 2012, up from about 0.5 million in 2011, the firm estimated on Friday, citing data for the quarter to end-September, when companies led by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd sold 1.1 million tablets.With the launch of low-cost devices running on Google Inc's Android platform by local firms, sales of tablets and smartphones have grown rapidly in the last two years. A slew of global makers of tablets have also entered the market.In 2013, new tablets based on Microsoft Corp's Windows 8 platform and companies' adoption of tablets for business applications will change the market significantly again, Faisal Kawoosa, lead analyst at CyberMedia's telecoms practice, said in a statement.India is the world's second biggest telecommunications market with about 900 million mobile phone accounts. But computer penetration is low, and only about a tenth of its 1.2 billion people have access to Internet.Samsung had a 23.9 per cent share of tablet computers sold in India in the July-September quarter last year, CyberMedia Research said.Local firm Micromax ranked second with 15.3 per cent of the market, while Datawind, the maker of Aakash tablet, billed as the world's cheapest tablet computer, ranked third, it said in the report.Apple Inc, the maker of iPad tablet computers, was ranked fifth with an 8.7 per cent share, the data showed.The average sales value of tablets during the quarter was about 13,200 rupees, while 63.5 per cent of the sales were below 10,000 rupees, CyberMedia Research said.By comparison, the Apple's lowest-priced iPad Mini sells for 21,900 rupees, popular online retailer Flipkart.com's website showed.
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Aspirational spending collapsed like a pricked balloon in 2012, and the excesses of the good life seem to have gone into a tailspin. How you reconcile your straitened means with the luxury economy will depend on your chutzpah in passing off the neighbourhood shack food as gourmet delights, and pasting pictures on Facebook while posing beside a yacht, or checking out a Birkin, without the unnecessary information that it isn’t yours. (You’re not lying, just not telling the whole truth). Here are five trends that will help you triumph in 2013 without having to break the bank. Invent A Past It has been the hottest trend among a few select nouveau-riche because what Old Money commands, New Money cannot match. Families have invested in creating histories for themselves — an aristocratic past, a crumbling “haveli that must be restored” and “family heirlooms” that have been bought at auctions or antique shops. Everything from photographs of unknown but splendidly dressed up chieftains from some little-known thikana to Baccarat lamps, threadbare carpets, even old sarees or jackets from which you can have the zardozi transferred to new garments because “it’s from my great-grandfather’s family, who was a Rai Bahadur…” Photoshop pictures with some more treasures and you will end up exuding mystery — and there is nothing more appealing than a destitute royal. You will even be forgiven for being middle-class as long as you can give your shabby chic a sense of nostalgia. But if you don’t want your chicanery found out at the Page 3 party, locate the geography in the deepest interior of the country and be vague about details. Do Bespoke Fake brands can be smelt a mile away by the cognoscenti, so don’t even think of those pavement bargains from Bangkok (or China, or Italy, or downtown Bandra). And if you’re opting to hire your bags and shoes, your gowns or suits, wallets and watches, hostesses will tell you with a wicked gleam in their eye that the accessory you’re sporting from an online or physical rent-a-brand for a sixth of the price of the original was worn by Celebrity X at a fundraiser one week, and by Wannabe Y the next. You might want to consider saving up for the occasional bag, or watch, but where clothes are concerned, find a good tailor and put up with the attitude and delays (most good tailors now behave like designers, though at a fraction of the price) because design rip-offs just aren’t as good as originals that you can truthfully claim as bespoke. Remember to keep your mouth zipped instead of revealing your source in a moment of drunken revelry. Everyone knows that the true-blue believe in having their clothes and shoes done to measure, shunning couture or designer casuals that come off the shelf.Flaunt Your WheelsNothing marks you as much as the car you drive, and if all you have is a mid-range sedan, you can be sure that you’ll never move with the big boys who love their toys. Which is why you could do no better than to pick up a second-hand Merc, or Beamer, at the same price, because eventually it’s the automobile, not its age or model, that will get you noticed. Don’t believe me? Check out the body language of the valets you give your car to at a hotel. If your other car is a simple Suzuki, or Honda, you can be sure it won’t matter, as long as you’re part of the high-wheeler club on party night.Sign UpYou need a sorority group or kitchen club that you can be part of — no matter how much it costs. A kitty that has the city’s who’s who, a gym or health club where the big guns come to sweat it out, salsa classes, ikebana meetings, biker gangs, film groups, travel communities, a Rotary or Lion’s, even industry outfits like CII or other equivalents. Think of the gains of name-dropping without fear of being caught out on the rebound: “I really loved the jacket Anand Mahindra was wearing last night” or “Told Chidambaram I thought his speech yesterday didn’t carry much weight”. Creates an intimacy with the high and mighty which might not exist at all, but which the listener is led to believe. Become An ActivistIt is the fastest way of getting noticed. But don’t just join the queue, use your contacts and get on to television — and see how fast you become part of the intellectual set. But do have coherent views and the ability to glib-talk. If you actually have suggestions, or solutions, that’s a bonus. If you’re on television at prime time, you’re a celebrity. And these days, instant celebrity-hood means you get your share of 15 minutes of fame with someone else willing to pay for your favourite sundowner — single malt, naturally. It all boils down to having a lifestyle, even if you don’t have the moolah for it.The author is a columnist on art and lifestyle, and works extensively on books across a range of interests(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 14-01-2013)
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Much better too, is their slick swipey re-imagined operating system, BlackBerry 10. It's smooth, fluid and quite evidently easy to use. Behind it, is Vivek Bharadwaj, the Indian who heads BlackBerry's software. Sadly though, investors don't give it a 10 and BlackBerry (BBRY) stock took a dive post the launch event in New York. Why? What else could the poor guys have done, besieged as they are by Apple and Samsung?I guess what the investors would have wanted is something revolutionary and unpredicted, not merely a return to the land of the living. That's very tough to do, at a time when even Apple is showing some signs of strain and will need innovation to convince its investors it hasn't lost its mojo after Steve Jobs and can stand up to Android. Samsung, king of Android, may have its own challenges looming as it begins to face a flood of inexpensive devices flowing in from smaller companies. Yep, no one can take their place at the top for granted, and that's just what BlackBerry did when it was Research in Motion, so why blame Apple and Samsung, really. Even today, from the CEO Thorsten Heins, right down to the last PR kid, they look through other smartphones as if they didn't exist. But being more of a gadgets person, it's the devices and what's on them that interests me over what will become of BlackBerry the company. So, looking from my narrow focus lens, let me say that the two devices, the upper tier Z10 and the QWERTY hanger-on, Q10, both look more or less on par with today's smartphones. Both are well-designed and it's interesting how the Q10 actually manages to look contemporary despite the full keyboard. Perhaps the Z10 should have been a quad core and had more battery heft to it, but let's leave something for a next iteration. Plus, it's working smooth enough from what we saw of the alpha devices. Talking of smooth, the "flow" on this OS is looking good. To pack in quite a lot and allow it to be used by one hand - or just one thumb, really — needed fluidity and intuitiveness and that is there. It's a bit like the swiping around on a Windows 8 tablet or laptop is the most fun part — it's a similar experience here. Also really impressive is the fact that everything is just a swipe away. Whatever screen you're on, a thumb-swipe gets you to the BlackBerry Hub, where all your communication with the world sits. While it can be messy to get all your messages and updates from the social networks together with your mail and texts in one place, you could really be among those who will appreciate this ability if your work is structured to take in inputs from multiple sources. You can also filter out different streams when viewing your Inbox. Maybe the young and super-connected will like it too. The Hub is designed so you can pull out communication from it and act on it anytime without disturbing or exiting whatever else you were doing. The seamless integration of everything with everything else is also impressive. I haven't used the new device at all yet — only seen the near-final, but one can see that different parts of the software talk to each other. In th future, if all goes well and works as advertised, this is the sort of capability that would help work this OS into other situations, like in cars, more easily. The information you need coming up when you want it could be a powerful thing. BlackBerry has been thought to have been held back because of the shortage of apps and indeed, even Windows, which started later, has more apps now. More apps added each week are promised by BlackBerry, who always talk of how strong the support is from the developer community. But I would say it's also important to look at the OS and devices as what they can do for productivity even without the apps — and there I think that it's possible to use BB10 to add real efficiency to a work day. Everything is reachable and actionable, in context and collaborative. If you meet such a system halfway, you can act on emails, discussions quickly done on Skype, a message sent out on BBM, and get stuff done even before you get around to making a to-do list.Whether BB10 is a booster shot of adrenaline which will bring BlackBerry back to relevance and parity for now, or it ensures a firm third place in the smartphone race will now depend on what happens next. mala(at)pobox(dot)com, (at)malabhargava on Twitter
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Research In Motion Ltd unveiled a long-delayed line of smartphones on 30 January, 2013 it says will put the company on the comeback trail in a market it once dominated, promising its BlackBerry 10 devices will wow consumers and businesses alike when they finally hit stores.Signaling his hopes for a fresh start for the company that pioneered on-your-hip email, Chief Executive Thorsten Heins said RIM was abandoning the name it has used since its inception in 1985. From now on, he told tech analysts and other guests, the company will just be known as BlackBerry."We have transformed ourselves inside and out, and we have defined our vision ... which makes today the perfect time for another big announcement I want to share. From this point forward, RIM becomes BlackBerry." Heins said at the New York launch. "It is one brand; it is one promise."RIM shares rallied initially on Wednesday, but soon fell to levels about 7 per cent below Tuesday's close. Over the past four years, the stock has dropped as much as 90 per cent below its 2008 peak as the BlackBerry lost ground to rival devices. But in the last four months its shares have more than doubled in value as buzz grew about the new devices.The new BlackBerry 10 phones will compete with Apple's iPhone and devices using Google's Android technology, both of which have soared above the BlackBerry in a competitive market.The new devices boast fast browsers, new features, smart cameras and, unlike previous BlackBerry models, enter the market primed with a large app library, including services such as Skype and the popular game Angry Birds.Both new devices are sleek black numbers, one with the small "qwerty" keyboard that RIM made into its trademark, and one a pure touchscreen device that looks much like those its competitors already produce."We have definitely been on a journey of transformation, a journey to not only transform our business and our brand, but one which I truly believe will transform mobile communications into true mobile computing," Heins said.RIM picked a range of venues for its global launch parties. Toronto's announcement was in the downtown art deco Carlu rooms, while the Dubai event was held at the $650-a-night Armani hotel, which occupies six floors of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.The New York event took place in a sprawling basketball facility on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, just north of the Manhattan bridge. The Blackberry has been "Re-designed. Re-engineered. Re-invented," RIM said.RIM launched its first BlackBerry as a way for busy executives to stay in touch with their clients and their offices, and the company quickly cornered the market for secure corporate and government email.But its star faded as competition rose from the likes of Apple and Google's Android operating system. The BlackBerry is now a far-behind also-ran in the race for market share, with a 3.4 percent global showing in the fourth quarter, down from 20 percent three years before.In North America, the market that sets technology trends for the rest of the world, RIM's fourth-quarter North American market share fell to 2 percent, from more than 40 percent three years ago.(Reuters)
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The innovative line of BlackBerry smartphones that Research In Motion Ltd will formally unveil on 30 January, 2013 has already succeeded on one crucial count - getting RIM back in the conversation.The new BlackBerry 10 has created a buzz among technology watchers and financial analysts, thanks to nifty features that may set it apart in an overcrowded smartphone market. RIM stock has almost tripled over the past four months on hopes the devices can restore RIM to sustained prosperity.Reviewers like the browser speed and the intuitive keyboard on RIM's new touchscreen. A feature called BlackBerry Balance, which keeps corporate and personal data separate, could help RIM rebuild its traditional base of big business customers.It's a welcome start for RIM, the smartphone pioneer that has teetered on the brink of irrelevance. But success will come only if consumer and business customers embrace the new technology in the weeks and months after CEO Thorsten Heins takes the wraps off the phone at a glitzy New York launch.RIM is gambling its survival on the much-delayed BlackBerry 10, hoping to claw its way back into an industry now dominated by Apple Inc's iPhone and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's Galaxy.The timing may be just right. The new phone hits the market just as the iPhone's remarkable run is showing some signs of slowing."I really do believe that the consumer market as a whole is ready for something new," said Kevin Burden, head of mobility at Strategy Analytics, an industry consulting firm."I have to believe that there is some level of user fatigue that plays into the longevity of some of these platforms," he added, referring to Google Inc's Android and Apple's iOS, which are both more than five years old. "RIM is probably timing it right."US BattlegroundTo be sure, RIM shares are about 90 per cent below a 2008 peak near $150 a share and the company still has a tough fight ahead. It may take investors some time to determine whether RIM's big gamble on an untested technology has paid off.RIM's market share collapsed in the three years ahead of the launch. Strategy Analytics data shows RIM's global share of the smartphone market was about 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter, down from around 20 percent just three years ago.While RIM has done well in developing markets, it has hemorrhaged customers in the United States, a market that sets technology trends. RIM's fourth-quarter North American market share fell to 2 percent from more than 40 percent three years ago.Acknowledging that it is crucial to win back U.S. customers, RIM will hold its main BlackBerry 10 launch in New York, although there are simultaneous events in six cities across the globe.Underscoring the point, RIM is splurging on a costly Super Bowl ad to tout its new devices and attempt to brighten its faded image in the U.S. market.Big QuestionsOver 150 carriers already have tested the new devices and RIM has said the launch will be the largest ever global rollout of a new platform.The two big questions the market expects RIM to answer on Wednesday are when the phones - a full touch-screen device and one with a traditional physical keyboard - will hit store shelves, and how much they will cost.The company is expected to unveil specifics on pricing and availability in different regions at the launch."The Street is expecting mid-February for a launch. Anything earlier than that is a positive, anything later will be viewed as negative," said RBC Dominion Securities analyst Paul Treiber.That said, there are few mysteries to be cleared up on Wednesday. Leaked photos and specifications of the devices have been splashed across the tech world."We've had the beta devices for a few weeks and in terms of the devices, they are right up there with the competition," said Andy Ambrozic, head of IT Infrastructure at Ricoh Canada. "The Balance feature is crucial for corporations that are becoming increasingly concerned about data security."Scotiabank analyst Gus Papageorgiou feels RIM has a good chance of a comeback. He says the new BB10 operating system outpaces Apple's iOS platform and Google's market-leading Android system in every category except app selection and content."There is, we believe, huge potential for the platform and devices to bring people back to BlackBerry or draw entirely new users into the platform," said Papageorgiou, who has a "sector outperform" rating on the stock.BlackBerry 10 will not be able to compete on the number of apps, but RIM says its operating system will have the largest application library for any new platform at launch, with more than 70,000 apps available.It has already gathered big-name music and video partners for its BlackBerry 10 storefront, including Walt Disney Studios and Sony Pictures, Universal Music and Warner Music Group.Wireless carriers already report strong demand for the new devices. Rogers Communications Inc, Canada's top wireless carrier and the first globally to take pre-orders for the new devices, said orders are already in the thousands."Our customers are excited," said John Boynton, Rogers' head of marketing, adding that some users are holding off on upgrades in anticipation of the BB10 launch. (Reuters)
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