SANDEEP DHAR, CEO, Tesco HSC, credits the Apple iPod Touch as the coolest music device and believes that the multi-touch user interface on iPods can revolutionise the gadgets of tomorrow. The corporate honcho also prefers LCD technology as it saves energy
What is the geekiest thing you have ever done?
(Grins) I have taken over a DJ console in a Singapore club, connected my iPod and had everyone in the club dance to my music all night.
Do you actively seek eco-friendly gadgets or technology?
I have an Apple Macbook Pro which is energy star 4.0 compliant. Apple’s commitment to the environment is one of the reasons why I buy its products. Apple is one of the very few gadget companies that calculates and publishes data about the carbon footprint impact. Using Apple’s Macbook, for example, one will know that 460 kg of carbon dioxide emissions will be produced after the product’s use over four years. It is roughly equivalent to what a standard car emits in a month. Since I don’t have data on another notebook to compare with and since only Apple publishes these details, wins the company extra marks from me.
Which was your most extravagant gadget buy?
A 46-inch Sony LCD TV has probably been my most expensive single purchase to date.
If you had lots of money what would you blow it on?
Without any doubt, a pair of Martin Logan CLX range electrostatic loudspeakers. A pair costs Rs 11,00,000 approximately.
What’s next on your shopping list?
I am very keen to buy the Sony e-book reader. The thought of carrying my book library in the same way that I carry my music library in my iPod is fascinating
Does YouTube mean anything to you?
Of course it does. I access it over my Apple Macbook as well as my iPod Touch. Besides being a great source of entertainment, particularly for music videos, it can also provide a wealth of knowledge and information on a wide variety of subjects.
How many hours a day do you spend on the Internet?
About an hour (excluding time spent emailing).
Do you have any custom-fitted gadget for yourself?
I don’t have a custom-designed gadget but I do have a music system where each component has been matched and selected by me after three months of testing and auditioning.
If you could build, what sort of a dream gadget would you create?
One which would have the user interface of an Apple iPod Touch, the emailing capability of a BlackBerry, the sound quality and telephony capability of a Nokia phone, and imaging capability of a Canon camera.
