[Devils Workshop] “Microsoft partners Nokia: Is it a Marriage of Convenience!” and 1 more...

Microsoft partners Nokia: Is it a Marriage of Convenience!

Posted: 11 Feb 2011 07:44 AM PST

In a post yesterday by Pratik Parekh, he discussed the potential rumor of Microsoft buying Nokia or RIM. Today Microsoft announced that it is partnering with Nokia. This was news that was not exactly shocking or surprising and most people were already discussing it a lot around the web.

Microsoft – Nokia partnership!

It seems that Windows Phone will power Nokia when it comes to smart phones. Smart Phones are a sore point for Nokia. It has sat by and seen its share in this category dwindle considerably, thanks to iPhones and Android.
Nokia Maps will become of core importance to Bing Maps. This is a very interesting development as Nokia is quite good with mapping and Bing is losing steam to Google Maps. This sort of cooperation will help Bing maps become a lot more locally relevant.
Bing will power search on Nokia phones. This is crucial again for Bing for survival. Search in recent times is used more and more through phones.
Nokia might benefit when their application store is integrated with Microsoft Marketplace.

Why this marriage could fail!

Nokia and Microsoft are different companies. Nokia has a more open corporate culture when efforts are made to keep allow employees network and work freely with each other. Microsoft on the other hand is slightly more bureaucratic. Such diverse corporate cultures can always be difficult for one partner if not both.
For Microsoft this is a way to expand, while for Nokia this partnership is a life-line. It needed a shot in the arm but I am not sure Microsoft was the what they were looking for.

Microsoft does one thing very well. That is they really good at working with other companies. Remember Apple! It has this very efficient way for working with another company and giving itself an advantage over competitors. I am not sure that is good news for Nokia in the long run.

What are your views on Nokia and Microsoft partnering up? Is it too little too late for Nokia? Do drop in your comments.

-- This Post Microsoft partners Nokia: Is it a Marriage of Convenience! is Published on Devils Workshop .

Enable 2-step verification on Gmail [Security]

Posted: 11 Feb 2011 04:19 AM PST

Google had announced two-step verification for some of its Google Apps accounts back in September 2010. Now it is rolling out this extra security feature for all Gmail users. This is a good step as it means two sets of verification instead of just one which is the password.

The second verification step will be a code sent through a SMS on your phone. It is highly unlike for a hacker to be in possession of both your password and your phone, so this security measure will be almost foolproof.

Once you sign-in to your Google Account, just look up Account settings page.
Here there is a new link to enable 2-Step verification (as seen in image above).
Here you will be prompted to enter your mobile phone number and a verification code sent. From then on you need to use your password and also the verification code.
A feature to remember your code for 30 days is also available.

Why is 2-step verification better?

Most people will be happy with just a password as their security. But now a days it’s not just your email that is managed with a google account. We have photos, access to various apps and so many other important services with Google that having 2 step verification is a much desired feature.

What are your views on 2-step verification with Google? Will you opt for it, especially for accounts which are linked to Adsense? Do drop in your comments.

Source: Google Blog

-- This Post Enable 2-step verification on Gmail [Security] is Published on Devils Workshop .