Sensors and microchips could be applied to your bag or jacket pocket and remind you to take your umbrella with you if the forecast is for rain or not to forget your house keys if you are leaving the house.
While the core deal would be between Starbucks and Tata Coffee, the partnership would take advantage of the strengths of various other companies under the Tata group umbrella, the person said.
When we visited new Five-Star winner Mandarin Oriental, Boston, for example, everyone from the housekeeper to the bellhop knew our name, and the room service attendant who delivered breakfast suggested we take a house umbrella on a rainy day before we even thought to do so ourselves.