Android

Andrios is now available for download on Cydia

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 6, 2015

Andrios, the jailbreak tweak that brings some awesome Android-inspired features to iOS, was our top item on this week's episode of Let's Talk Jailbreak. It's rare when a tweak gets the thumbs up from Cody, Sebastien, and I, but Andrios was able to pull off that impressive feat.

Since our initial review aired, I've received numerous emails, tweets, and messages about Andrios and its launch. After a slight delay, I'm happy to tell you that the tweak is now available for purchase and download from Cydia's BigBoss repo.

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Andrios: an Android-inspired experience for iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Andrios has been a hot topic for jailbreakers as of late. The upcoming tweak, which should be touching down any second now on Cydia, brings many Android-inspired features to iOS.

The developers of Andrios, BrandDev & Logan O'Connell, have worked hard to make the tweak's tag line live up to the final product. Does it succeed in doing so?

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How to pair Android Wear without an Android Phone using a virtual machine on Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

I know, it may sound fairly niche, but hear me out. Recently, there's been a lot of buzz about using Android Wear devices with the iPhone, and that's the reason why I started exploring this topic to begin with.

As it turns out, when you buy an Android Wear device, you need an Android device to "activate" the smartwatch (go figure). Since I don't currently own an Android phone, my LG G Watch was stuck at the pairing screen.

Yes, there are more "in-depth" ways to go about getting passed this screen, but not everyone is up to that task. With this in mind, I've created a video tutorial that shows you how to run an Android virtual machine on your Mac with Parallels, and how to then pair an Android Wear device with the virtual machine.

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How to run Android apps like WhatsApp and Instagram on Mac

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 19, 2019

ARC, or App Runtime for Chrome, is a tool that allows you to run many Android apps right on a desktop machine. For the most part, the apps look and function like they do on an Android phone or tablet.

Why is this so cool? Well, it means that you can now have access to whole variety of new apps. Some apps, like WhatsApp, have no native desktop counterpart, so it's especially nice for apps like these.

While it isn't a perfect 1:1 solution, and some apps outright don't work, it's worth trying if there's an app that you want that isn't otherwise available on the desktop. In this post and video, we'll walk you through the steps of configuring Google's ARC Welder tool, and show you how to run multiple applications as well.

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Apple expands iPhone trade-in program to select Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone handsets

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 30, 2015

As promised, Apple on Monday started rolling out a new trade-in initiative aimed at Android phone owners who would like to upgrade to an iPhone. Part of Apple's existing Reuse and Recycling Program, the non-iPhone trade-in is now rolling out in the United States and several European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy.

Eligible non-iPhone devices include smartphones running Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone operating systems.

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Apple to launch new trade-in program for Android switchers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple will soon introduce a new trade-in program that will accept Androids and other non-Apple smartphones, reports 9to5Mac. Citing sources familiar with the upcoming rollout, the outlet says the program will be very similar to Apple's existing iPhone trade-in program, which provides customers with gift cards to be used towards the purchase of a new iPhone.

Trade-in values of smartphones will be determined by Apple Store representatives, based on the age of the device as well as its cosmetic and functioning condition. The reps are said to be beginning extensive training sessions later this week, which will better prepare them to appraise these new devices when the program launches sometime in "the coming weeks."

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Google allegedly working on an iPhone app that’ll bring iOS compatibility to Android Wear

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 3, 2015

Google is ostensibly working on an iPhone app that will bring iOS compatibility to all Android Wear-driven smartwatches on the market. Google's Android-powered software platform for wearable devices launched a year ago without official support for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Mac devices. Word of a possible solution came Tuesday via 01Net and was passed along to us by French blog iPhon.fr.

Whichever way you look at it, making Android Wear compatible with the iPhone could help extend the market for Android-driven wearable devices to include Apple users, too.

About 720,000 Android Wear smartwatches were shipped in 2014, according to Canalys, the research firm. Various analysts estimate Apple's Watch could sell about ten or more million devices in 2015.

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Apple grabs 89 percent of smartphone profits while Android captures record-low 11 percent

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

The latest indication that even with its minuscule share of smartphone units sold Apple is clobbering everyone when it comes to profits came Thursday via research firm Strategy Analytics. The research company reported that the Cupertino firm took home an astounding 88.7 percent of operating profit share in smartphones during the fourth quarter of last year.

This is no doubt the effect of strong sales of Apple's well-received iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus handsets. Android, meanwhile, has fallen to a record-low eleven (11.3) percent.

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iOS activation in enterprise jumps to 73 percent, increasing Apple’s lead over Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Thanks in no small part to strong sales of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, Apple has been able to extend its enterprise lead over Android during the fourth quarter of last year.

According to the new Mobility Index Report data (PDF download) by research firm Good Technology, iOS activations in the enterprise market jumped from 69 percent in the third quarter of last year to 73 percent during the last three months of 2014, while Android activations fell from 29 percent to 25 percent.

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Google says Android is ready for work, launches Android for Work initiative

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 25, 2015

Google on Wednesday announced a new initiative aimed at making greater inroads in enterprise, where Apple's devices are by and large the preferred choice.

Dubbed ‘Android for Work,’ the program revolves around four key technology components: work profiles, the Android for Work app, Google Play for Work and a set of built-in productivity tools. As is its wont, Google has partnered with a number of technology and solutions provider on the initiative.

Third-parties will help ensure consistent enterprise mobility management, Google said, adding it's given devs ability to create a single version of any Google Play app which can then be securely deployed to any Android device without alterations or wrapping.

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For the first time since 2012, Apple sells more phones in US than Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 4, 2015

Wednesday, TechCrunch relayed a new survey by market research firm Kantar Worldpanel which underscores a small victory in Apple's global rivalry with Android as the company overtook Android vendors in terms of units shipped in the United States during the last three months of 2014.

Driven by the introduction of its larger-screened iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple took a 47.7 percent share of the U.S. smartphone market. Android grabbed a 47.6 percent share and Windows Phone accounted for just 3.8 percent of smartphone sales.

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