Android

Remix OS will bring Android to your Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 7, 2016

Are you itching to see for yourself what life is like on the “other” mobile platform, Google's Android, but the very thought of switching sends shivers up your spine? Enter Remix OS, a software platform founded by three ex-Google employees that lets you boot straight to Android on your Mac or Windows PC.

Unlike similar solutions that let you run Android apps in a windowed mode, Remix OS has a dedicated desktop user interface, runs a custom engineered version of Android Lollipop with Google Play services, meaning you can download and run just about any Android app no your desktop, including Microsoft Office, YouTube, Google Maps and many more.

Federal judge dismisses iMessage lawsuit over undelivered texts to Android phones

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 23, 2015

A lawsuit centered on an iMessage issue which turned former iPhone owners' phone numbers into a black hole for text messages after making a switch to Android has been tossed out of the window by United States District Judge Lucy H. Koh, Business Insider reported this morning.

The lawsuit alleged that Apple's messaging system interfered with the delivery of texts, going as far as to suggest that Apple wiretapped those users by intercepting, and then failing to deliver, text messages sent from an iPhone to an Android phone.

Apple Music beta is now available for Android on Google Play

Jeff Benjamin ∙ November 10, 2015

The Apple Music beta has launched for Android devices, and is now available as a free download via the Google Play store. If you have a compatible Android device, you can click this link to be taken directly to the Apple Music page on Google Play.

The download, which is version 0.9.0 and comes in at 29MB, officially brings Apple Music and Beats 1 to Android devices for the first time. Keep in mind that this is still a beta version, which means that not everything from the iOS version is there.

Apple launches new app on iOS and Android for controlling its Beats Pill+ speaker

Cody Lee ∙ October 29, 2015

Apple on Thursday released a new application for Android and iOS called Beats Pill+. As the name suggests, the app allows device users to manage and control their Beats Pill+ Bluetooth speaker, which was announced earlier this month.

In the description, Apple says the Beats Pill+ app "puts you and your friends at the center of your music like never before." You can use it to easily pair your device with your Pill+ speaker, rename it for fast identification and much more.

Angered Android fans vent their frustration at Apple in ‘Move to iOS’ reviews on Play Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 17, 2015

Apple's new 'Move to iOS' app is now available on Android and a lot of fans of Google's mobile platform have already posted hate-spewing reviews on the Play Store. The app lets people switch over from Android to iOS by wirelessly migrating their data, settings and personal information to an iPhone.

The vast majority of reviews have nothing to do with the app itself and instead criticize Apple's closed ecosystem and walled garden approach.

In venting their frustration at Apple, angered Android fans are taking advantage of Play Store reviews to ridicule Apple, call its fans 'iSheep', criticize the iPhone's battery life and diss the Apple Watch as an overpriced luxury device in an apparent absence of any real arguments.

How to migrate your data from Android to iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2017

Apple just released its Move to iOS app for Android. This is an app that you can download from the Google Play store that will make it easier for Android users to migrate to iOS.

During the initial iOS 9 setup, users are given the option of how they want to proceed with setup, and migrating from Android is one of those options. If a user selects Move Data from Android, they will then be pointed to the Move to iOS app on their Android device for easy migration.

In this post, I'll walk you through the full migration process, which involves pairing the two devices together in order to transfer Android user data to your iOS device.

Review: Motorola Moto X Pure Edition from an iPhone user’s perspective

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 13, 2018

As you guys know, I'm a fan of the Moto G—Motorola's off-contract budget phone that packs in a surprising amount of good features for a super-cheap price. As I stated in my review, the Moto G is a good choice for anyone wishing to dip their toes into the Android waters, or for anyone who needs a cheap second smartphone.

The Moto X Pure Edition ($399.99 on Amazon), is a whole different beast altogether. It looks similar to the Moto G in build material, but it's way bigger, has a 5.7" QHD screen at 1440p, a 21 megapixel rear-facing shooter, a front-facing flash, captures 4K video, and features extremely fast charging.

Unlike the budget Moto G, the Moto X Pure Edition is Motorola's de facto flagship offering for 2015. At $399 for the base model, it's more than double the price of Motorola's popular Moto G, yet much cheaper than major "flagship" models from big named Android OEMs.

How does it stack up with the competition? How does it compare with the iPhone 6 Plus—its closest iOS competitor? Check out our full video review for all of the details.

Apple said to release ‘Move to iOS’ Android app alongside iOS 9 tomorrow

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 15, 2015

At its 'Hey Siri' media event last Wednesday, Apple said it would soon be releasing a brand new Android app, called 'Move to iOS,' to make it even easier for Android customers to switch to an iPhone.

It seems that 'Move to iOS' and 'Move from Android' apps will be released on the App Store and Google's Play Store, respectively, alongside the iOS 9 software update tomorrow, September 16, Czech blog LetemSvetemApple reported Tuesday.

“Just download the Move to iOS app to wirelessly switch from your Android device to your new iOS device,” Apple writes on its iOS 9 webpage.

Review: Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 – a budget Android phone with a unique feature

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

It's almost unfair how many great budget smartphones there are that run Android. I think it's safe to say that there is an embarrassment of riches for Android platform users in the budget phone category.

I've already reviewed phones like the Asus ZenFone 2, and the 3rd-generation Moto G—both highly competent phones. Today, I get to go hands-on with a similar phone, as far as price is concerned, in the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 ($249.99 on Amazon).

Huawei announces a new Android phone with a Force Touch-inspired pressure-sensitive screen

Jeff Benjamin ∙ September 2, 2015

The IFA trade show in Berlin is well under way, and Huawei, Chinese OEM of Android smartphones, just announced its Mate S—a new smartphone with Force Touch-esque technology incorporated into the screen. Of course, Huawei isn't officially calling it "Force Touch" in its press materials, but it is doing so via hashtags in tweets from its official Twitter account.

During its press event, Huawei took the opportunity to show off its new force-sensing screen weighing an orange by placing the piece of fruit on top of the Mate S' screen. I have to admit, that's kind of cool, but it also seems a bit odd at the same time.

Android Wear for iOS found incompatible with Apple’s HealthKit

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 2, 2015

Google's Android Wear for iPhone software debuted earlier this week and while we suspected ahead of its release it might not offer tight integration with iOS like the Apple Watch does, I don't think many people expected it to be incompatible with HealthKit, Apple’s platform for developers of health and fitness apps.

Sadly, that's exactly what transpired here.

As discovered by BuzzFeed, the decision to make Android Wear incompatible with HealthKit was entirely Google's as the search company wants iOS users who own Android Wear devices to log their steps and physical activity through its own Google Fit dashboard.

Android Wear now works with the iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 31, 2015

As has been rumored for quite some time now, Android Wear now officially supports iOS. In a blog post on the Official Google Blog entitled "Android Wear now works with iPhones", Google outlines the specifics behind the iOS compatibility.

Right now, only the LG Urbane, one of the latest Android Wear devices to hit retail, works with the latest update that's rolling out to users throughout the day. Eventually, however, more Android Wear devices from Huawei, Asus, and Motorola will work.