Tuesday, October 23, 2012

What's App Issue on Nokia Lumia (Solved)



I reckon most Windows Phone users may have faced this issue with What's App, that of notifications not displaying in the conversation window.

Annoying as it is, in today's world of socially driven phones, often this can relate to real world drama("What!? Not on what's app?? Not Cool!").

Worse off, its embarrassing admitting that your expensive as hell "smartphone" cannot handle What's App.

Well, fortunately, the issue can be resolved, and it isn't very complicated as well!

Without getting into the technicalities of the matter (Explained brilliantly by What's App themselves here: http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/wp/21068167 ), 
the issue is NOT with your phone, NOT with What's App, as I incorrectly assumed.

The issue is with your service provider (In my case, Idea).

The internet settings do not know how to handle non-web based connections like What's App or any other chatting service and hence doesn't know how to handle the incoming messages.

The workaround to this would be to configure the APN settings yourself, by doing some internet research. Like so: http://www.digitalgalleryindia.com/apn-access-point-name-internet-settings-2g-3g-4g-global.php

Once again, I do not guarantee the APN settings listed here will work. Consider it an example website. If the APN works for you, then it's just your lucky day.

Great you got the APN settings, but where do I input the APN settings!
Earlier, Nokia released an app called Network Settings that allowed you to input the custom APN settings and you're good to go.
I went through this method.

Unfortunately, this app got pulled from the Windows Marketplace due to security concerns.

Hence, go to Settings > Mobile Network > Add APN. 

This is assuming your Windows Phone is running the latest update. Add your custom APN and test What's App.

I haven't tried this method practically, solely because the earlier method worked. Why fix somethin if it ain't broken eh!? :)

I would suggest those who have gone through this route could suggest what they have done. Reason being this is a trial and error process. The APN settings also might be different

Till then happy chatting!

Friday, March 23, 2012

"You Can Make Money Without Doing Evil"

Google recently launched an ad campaign, apparently based on a true story of G.Rajendran.



Google, an American multinational company, is known for primarily its search engine technology. But the major revenue streams for Google are from advertisement to the extent that 99% of Google's revenue is driven by advertisement and smart marketing (Google AdSense and AdWords).

What impressed me about this advertisement was the 'personal' element of the campaign. Being an Indian it certainly touched my heart that Google went out of its way to understand its Indian customer (in this case, we the Indians as well as G.Ravindran, the original user of Google's AdSense and AdWords services).

While the advertisement is certainly aimed at boosting its own revenues, it gives me the feeling that Google wants its customer along in its growth. And for that, Google has earned a fair bit of respect from me. An Indian customer.

In this age and time where advertisements, and marketing in a broader sense need a moral revamp, it is certainly refreshing to witness some creativity and innovation.

As well as socially responsible behaviour.... (Check: http://www.google.org/).