Apple decides how you should hold your iPhone4!!!

The internet is full of posts, videos and discussions about the iPhone4 antenna issues. I just could not pass this opportunity without giving my 2 cents. Every antenna designer knows this for a fact that touching an antenna will cause signal attenuation. When Apple decided to tout the antenna as feature in its release presentation of the iPhone4 people were talking about Apple having the answer for AT&T's issue of signal and coverage. Instead of spending time and money on such important aspect of the iPhone Apple decided it would be more fruitful to invest the same on breaking down Jason Chen's door. Apple's response to this issue is that you are holding the phone incorrectly or get yourself an Apple bumper paying $29. I have a feeling Apple decided to make this antenna issue a feature so that they can sell more bumpers (I know this sounds far fetched, but I will not be surprised if it is true).

Renewing your Indian passport!!!

Everyone has always expressed nightmarish experience when renewing their Indian passport. I am going to share my experience of renewing my passport, surprisingly it was a pleasant experience. I had gone to apply for the passport in person; if you apply in person you have to collect it in person too. I am not going to go in detail about the documents required as I believe that all required documents are clearly mentioned on the website. Take copies and original of all required documents. One thing to keep in mind is that the consular section is not located along with the Indian embassy. It is located at a different address, mentioned on the website as the mailing address for application of passport by mail.

One and only rule that you need to adhere to is to get to the consular office as early as you can. The doors of the consular office open at 9:30am but the counters do not open until 10:00am. I would suggest getting to the consular office by 9:00am. If you plan on driving, like I did, you will have to park on the street parking available on one of the side roads. Majority of the street parking are 2 hour limit, plan accordingly. Read the signs on the road regarding parking twice before actually leaving the car, signs can be confusing at times.

Once the consular office doors open you need to go in and get yourself a ticket from the ticket dispenser at the center of the room. You will be served only if you have a ticket, do not believe in the appointment time given on the website. When your ticket number is called go up to the counter, there is a middle aged Indian lady who will check you application and give you receipt. If you need you passport under the "tatkal" scheme you will have an interview with the passport officer. I will not go into the details about the "tatkal" scheme as it is quite confusing and it is best left to the lady at the counter. Be nice when you talk to the lady, she is just doing her job and it is pointless to behave like an idiot. Aggravating her does not help your case in anyway nor does it help the others who are waiting in line after you.

I applied for the passport under the tatkal scheme. The lady noted my name down and called me once the passport officer had come between 11:00 - 11:30am. The passport officer checked my application and asked me the reason for applying for the passport under the "tatkal" scheme. I wrote a letter stating my reason for applying and once he double checks everything you go back to the counter and hand in the application form and the fee and collect your receipt. The passports under "tatkal" scheme are given the same day at around 4:30PM.

I hope that this does help you if you are applying for an Indian passport, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am not an authority on it but will help you to the best of my knowledge. Please note this experience is accurate as of June 1st 2010, when I renewed my passport.