Android

Apple’s new videos aim to lure Android users into switching to iPhone

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2017

Apple on Monday shared five short switcher videos through its official channel on YouTube. Titled “Photos”, “Jump”, “Fast”, “Privacy” and “Music”, each runs sixteen seconds long.

The latest ad campaign uses the new tagline “Life's easier on iPhone”.

The new clips promote some of the benefits of being an iPhone user, ranging from the official “Move to iOS” Android app (available free on Play Store) to the company's in-house designed chips that make iPhone the fastest smartphone in the world in terms of single-core CPU benchmarks to Apple's commitment to privacy and more.

Here are the videos.

Photos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-kbqiLxZwM

“Switch to iPhone. The Move to iOS app makes it simple to move your photos, music and more to iPhone,” reads the video's description.

Jump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmdC2eEeQAI

Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99w8cdTcliA

Fast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IKxOIbRVxs

“iPhone is designed to run fast. Life’s easier when you switch to iPhone.”

Privacy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poxjtpArMGc

“We build iPhone with your privacy in mind. Life's easier when you switch to iPhone.”

Apple also updated its “Switch to iPhone” webpage with a new design and additional information aimed at encouraging Android customers to consider switching to Apple's phone.

The mini-site offers additional information on switching from Android to an iPhone with FAQ-style answers to questions like “Is the camera as good as they say?”, “Why is iPhone so fast?”, “What makes Messages so great?” and “Will I love my iPhone”, among other topics.

How do you like Apple's new switcher videos?

Apple’s revamped “Switch to iPhone” webpage offers additional information to Android users

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2017

Apple's webpage dedicated to Android users who would switch to an iPhone has been refreshed with a modern web design and additional FAQ-style information on key iPhone features like speedy Apple-designed chips, Apple Pay, iMessage and more.

The refreshed webpage is divided into the following sections:

Will it be easy to switch to iPhone?

“Yes, it will,” says Apple. “There’s no need to save your stuff elsewhere before switching from Android.” This section promotes Apple's “Move to iOS” Android app. Available at no charge on Google's Play Store, the app can securely transfer a switcher's content from an Android phone to their brand spanking new Apple smartphone. “And you can trade in your old smartphone, if eligible, for credit toward your new iPhone,” reads the section.

Is the camera as good as they say?

Apple prides itself with the fact that more pictures are taken on iPhone than any other camera in the world, as per Flickr's camera stats. This section mentions some of the most popular iPhone photography features and shooting modes, such as Slo-Mo, Portrait and Time-Lapse.

“iPhone also has cool features like Memories, which automatically compiles your favorite moments into a movie,” says the company. As of recently, Apple is promoting iPhone photography via a series of mini-video tutorials on getting the most from your iPhone 7 camera, hosted on its “How to shoot on iPhone” webpage.

Why is iPhone so fast?

Even the last year's A9 chip that powers iPhone 6s is faster in single-core CPU benchmarks than today's top of the line Android handsets with quad-core chips outfitted with four gigabytes of RAM or even more. As you know, iPhones run on high-performance chips that are custom-designed by Apple for power efficiency. “Combine all that with the latest iOS updates offering smart new features, and everything you do on iPhone feels fast and fluid,” says Apple.

Will iPhone be easy to use?

Apple promotes its legendary ease of use, which it says is at the core of everything it creates. “With a swipe of your finger or a single tap, you can open apps, make a purchase with Apple Pay or customize your iPhone,” reads the webpage. Apple also mentioned the Tips app, preloaded on each iOS device to help users get the most out of their device, but that's hardly something I'd choose to highlight iOS's simplicity and intuitiveness.

How does iPhone help protect my personal information?

This is all about Apple's commitment to privacy and security, two major priorities with them. Since iOS 8, everything on your iPhone is “encrypted from the start” and protected by your passcode. Most flagship Android handsets have encryption disabled by default because full-disk encryption makes them sluggish due to the lack of hardware-assisted encryption.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R17WDY3BIfo&t=5s

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“Apple will not sell your information to anyone for any reason,” adds the mini-website.

The Cupertino giant notes yet another huge advantage it has over Android: its timely and easy-to-install software updates that don't have to be vetted by carriers and device vendors like major Android firmware updates do.

Can I get help from a real person?

“No matter where you are, we have real human beings ready to help,” says the firm. Apple's support team will help Android users learn about topics ranging from the switching process and software on their new iPhone to troubleshooting any issues they may have with their new phone. Support options listed here include phone, online chat, Apple's Support app and a dedicated Twitter handle @AppleSupport.

What makes Messages so great?

The expressive Messages app on iOS 10 “doesn’t just send messages, it also lets you hail rides, book restaurants, and even shoot lasers.” Apple is referring to new Messages features on iOS 10, like downloadable stickers, fullscreen effects and iMessage apps, as well as strong end-to-end encryption. “And, of course, you can use other messaging apps like WeChat, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger, too,” adds the company.

What about the environment?

Apple says:

We think about the environment all the time. Every time you send an iMessage, make a FaceTime call, or ask Siri a question, those tasks are handled by Apple data servers running on 100 percent renewable energy. And when you switch to iPhone, we’ll even recycle your Android phone for you.

Will I love my iPhone?

Of course you will.

Tim Cook likes to highlight Apple's customer satisfaction numbers that are the envy of the industry (customer sat, as he likes to put it), with a 451 Research-estimated 97 percent of people who have an iPhone saying they love it.

“That’s a lot of smiling selfies. A lot of happy emoji. And a lot of people who are glad they chose the world’s most loved smartphone,” reads the webpage.

How do you like Apple's reworked “Switch to iPhone” mini-site?

Be sure to watch short switcher videos Apple uploaded today to its YouTube channel.

iPhone hacked by jailbreak developer to interact with NFC devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 19, 2017

iPhones have come equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology since the iPhone 6 launched in 2014. NFC's primary use in the iPhone is for Apple Pay and allows contactless payments via supported merchants at the point of sale.

On the other hand, well-known jailbreak developer Elias Limneos was tinkering with iPhone NFC on his spare time and managed to hack it to work in ways that are typically locked off by Apple out of the box.

Google shows off Android version for touchscreen car consoles and infotainment systems

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 15, 2017

Google is placing its Android operating system right inside cars, showing off on Monday an Android version of touchscreen car consoles and infotainment systems.

According to Bloomberg, Google Assistant is at the heart of the new Android system which hosts popular apps such as Spotify and Google Maps with 3D mapping and satellite images (for safety reasons, they're keeping YouTube off the screen).

Patrick Brady, Google's Vice President of Android Engineering, said the system will make its way to Audi and Volvo's entire fleets, along with other manufacturers.

“Where cars are going, everything is integrated into one display,” he said. “We think the future is a much more seamless, integrated system.”

From the Bloomberg article:

This version of the software had three main windows for users: a central panel for playing music, making calls and navigating; another with a grid of core car functions; and a third that lists installed Android apps. A button on the steering wheel and a voice command can activate the Google Assistant.

Android for the car might eventually extend to dashboard items like speedometers and backseat screens. Google will permit each Android software car partner to customize the controls, interface and apps preloaded into the operating system.

And with smart home integration, a user in a compatible car could ask the Assistant to, say, turn on the lights at home before arriving. Brady added that Apple's CarPlay could run on top of cars with the embedded Android system.

As it's said to take over the underlying software on the car, the forthcoming software will be able to control car features like seat positioning and temperature.

According to the company:

That means your car’s built-in infotainment system could allow you to control your air conditioning, sunroof, and windows, find the nearest restaurant with Google Maps, listen to Spotify or NPR, or just ask your Google Assistant for help—even when you leave your phone behind.

Google showed a concept of the software running on a Chrysler vehicle earlier this year.

The search giant is reportedly partnering with Audi and Volvo to ship car systems running the Android operating system. Because Google's new software is embedded right in the car software, a driver won't need to plug in an Android phone to run it.

And with built-in Google Assistant, drivers will be able to accomplish tasks like searching on the go, asking for directions and making phone calls. Google is showing off the new software today, ahead of its annual developers conference scheduled to run from May 17 through May 19, 2017 in Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View in California.

At I/O 2017, the search monster will show off live demonstrationss of the new Android operating system running on the Audi A8 and Volvo V90 SUVs. Apple is expected to update us on CarPlay advancements at WWDC 2017 next month.

CarPlay supports wired and wireless connections and requires an iPhone.

That's because unlike Google's new software, CarPlay is not embedded directly into the underlying car software. Apple is thought to be working on an autonomous driving software, too.

Google's in-car Android solution shouldn't be confused with Android Auto, a CarPlay-like system introduced in 2014 that lets people project content from their Android smartphones to their car's screen. Google said it's working on bringing the voice assistant to Android Auto.

Android Auto now runs on 300 car models.

According to the Bloomberg report, Amazon has reached agreements with carmakers for its own digital assistant. That said, the in-car software battle between Apple, Google and Amazon is only going to intensify going forward.

Apple Music 2.0 for Android brings iOS 10 style interface, integrated lyrics & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 4, 2017

Apple today pushed a major update to the Apple Music client for Android. Available on Google's Play Store for free, the app has been bumped from version 1.2.1 to 2.0 and now features a refreshed user interface that mimics iOS 10 styling that should bring greater clarity and simplicity.

Aside from the facelift, the software comes with half a dozen new features including the consolidated For You, Library, Browse and Radio sections, a Now Playing screen with integrated lyrics, and more.

Google previews Android O, check out the top new features ahead of iOS 11’s June beta

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 21, 2017

If you think Apple's innovation in the smartphone OS space has stalled, wait until you see the next major revision to Google's Android operating system.

Today, the search giant released a developer-only preview of Android O (it's the working title). While it won't release for public consumption before the fall, developers can download Android O and begin testing it right away. Android O adds many of the same features Apple customers have enjoyed for more than six months with iOS 10, or even longer.

These include things such as richer notifications, picture-in-picture modes, wide color gamuts in apps, limits on what apps can do in the background to improve battery life and more. Here's our preview of Android O's enhancements and new capabilities available to customers and developers.

Google starts rolling out Assistant to Android Nougat and Marshmallow smartphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2017

LG's latest G6 flagship may have become the first non-Pixel phone to have Google's new Assistant feature, but the search giant is focused on bringing its new personal assistant to as many other smartphones as humanly possible.

Keeping true to its promise, the Mountain View firm just started rolling out Assistant to smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow versions.

With Assistant, you just long press on the Home button or say “Ok Google” to get started. The advanced feature leverages Google's knowledge graph, artificial intelligence and machine learning to better understand context of your questions.

Get Android Nougat-like folder icons with this tweak

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 25, 2017

If you’re looking for something you can do to change the appearance of your Home screen on your jailbroken device without going overboard, then you should look into a new free jailbreak tweak called NougatFolder by Elton Goci.

Essentially, this tweak transforms your Home screen’s folder icons to look more like those on an Android Nougat handset.

iOS 10 now powers 79% of active devices, Android Nougat’s adoption barely 1%

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 22, 2017

iOS 10 now powers nearly eight out of ten active devices—less than six months since officially releasing to the public in September of last year, as measured by App Store on February 20, 2017.

To be precise—iOS 10 now powers 79 percent of active iPhone, iPad and iPod touch device out there, representing a three-point increase over iOS 10's adoption rate of 76 percent recorded 48 days ago on January 5, 2017.

Contrast the rapid pace of iOS adoption to Google, whose latest and greatest version of Android is currently found on less than one percent of active devices. Over and over again, Google's lack of control over hardware and other factors are hurting its ability to deploy the latest Android features to its customers.

Will iOS be next to mimic Snapchat?

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Everywhere you look today, large social media ventures are seemingly ripping a page out of Snapchat’s playbook. Instagram did it, Facebook’s Messenger app has done it, and we are about to witness Facebook itself clone Snapchat’s daily stories big time. As much as Apple are primarily known for their hardware, it goes without saying that this major shift in what consumers want from their applications (or: spike in perceived self-importance) will not have gone unnoticed by Apple’s software department.

Coincidentally or not, Snapchat-like features are spreading like wildfire at a time where Apple are beginning to talk more openly about the prospect of tying Augmented Reality into a future iOS version. Against the backdrop of Pokemon GO’s success with augmented camera images and Snapchat’s unrivalled popularity based on selfie filters, it is not far to seek that Apple will be looking to capitalize on such trends as well - and what better way to jump on the bandwagon than to provide built-in effects for the stock camera?

Like the sound of it or not, it has got to be a proposition almost irresistible to Apple, mainly for two reasons: the ability to deepen monetization of their in-house apps and chance to reel in a whole lot of new Gen-Y customers. Here’s why filters on iOS could happen in 2017.

Sign up on Google Play Store to be notified when Super Mario Run launches on Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 29, 2016

Following its December 15 debut on App Store, Nintendo's one-handed side-scrolling platformer Super Mario Run will be coming to Android sooner than later: you can now pre-register on Google's Play Store to be alerted when the game is available to download.

Super Mario Run is free to download on iPhone, with a $9.99 In-App Purchase required to unlock the 24 levels across six worlds.

Backdoor in some Android devices sold in the US found to send data to China

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Security firm Kryptowire recently discovered that some Android smartphones have a backdoor that secretly sends data to China, reports the NY Times. Maybe even more concerning, American phone maker BLU Products said that 120,000 of its phones were found to have the backdoor installed in its software, which has since been updated to remove all track of that secret backdoor.