What you need to know about whatsApp *na2day

With WhatsApp, you can ping across phones running on BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone, iPhone, Symbian S60 and even S40. Yes, those phones can all message each other on a synchronous basis! WhatsApp is an instant messaging app that has always-on functionality, just as the BlackBerry Messenger.

Download is available at http://www.whatsapp.com/. In addition to basic messaging, WhatsApp users can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages.

Now, let me talk about the main theme of this note; receiving all your WhatsApp messages on your phone, no matter the SIM on it.

I HAVE AN ETISALAT LINE ON MY PHONE, BUT IF I WhatsApp YOU, MY REGULAR MTN NUMBER WILL APPEAR [or the name you saved it with]

It doesn't matter what line I have on my phone, what will appear as the sender if I WhatsApp you is my regular MTN number [or the name you saved it with on your phone].

I have noticed that some people do register their WhatsApp with a line different from their regular line. By regular line, I mean the line most people associate you with. That way, most people who have your regular line won't know you are on WhatsApp. Only you can see the number of your contacts who have registered their line(s) on WhatsApp. And when you WhatsApp your contacts, they will be asking who you are because they usually don't have the new line.

I have discovered a way to make your regular line appear as the sender to recipients of your WhatsApp messages irrespective of the SIM card you have on your phone

First, I downloaded WhatsApp [available at http://www.whatsapp.com] My regular line (MTN) was on the phone. After the download, I opened the application and was prompted to register my line [and name] which I did.

I removed my regular MTN SIM card from the phone, and inserted my Etisalat line, which I use majorly for Net surfing and instant messaging. Since it was unknown to WhatsApp, it prompted me for register the line. But instead of inputting the Etisalat number in the registration box, I put my MTN number which I have already registered. And it was successful...

Now it happens that when my friends who have stored my regular MTN number on their phone WhatsApp a message to my MTN number, I am notified even though it is an Etisalat line that is on my phone. And if I WhatsApp my friends, what appears as the sender is my MTN number [or the name they saved my number with], even though it is an Etisalat line that is on my phone.