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The complete guide to switching from Apple to Android (Contributed Content)

Guest Blogger
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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be considered an editorial endorsement

For the last several years, there has been an ongoing debate in the technology world over which is better: Apple or Android. While Apple users are convinced there’s nothing quite like a top of the line iPhone, Androids have proven to be fierce competition. Not only is the Android operating system available on a wide array of devices, but these devices also tend to give you more for your money than Apple products. Many of Android’s most powerful devices have better specs, such as clearer cameras, better screen resolution, and faster, more powerful processors.

As a result, many Apple users have decided to give Android devices a try. However, many people may not know how to switch devices, and there is a bit of learning curve when using a phone with a different operating system. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make sure your transition from Apple to Android is as smooth as possible. Keep reading for the complete guide to switching from Apple to Android.

Look for Cell Phone Trade-In Programs

Although two-year contracts have essentially become a thing of the past, many customers may still feel locked into using their iPhones because of leasing programs. Although leasing your phone requires you to make a certain number of payments before you own the phone, you might be able to trade your device in and switch to an Android phone.

For example, T-Mobile has a trade-in phone program that allows customers to exchange their iPhones for credit toward buying an Android device. If you go this route, you’ll also have access to the nation’s fastest network.

Get Familiar with Google

Credit: César Solórzano via Flickr

It goes without saying that the feeling of starting over can be one of the most stressful things about getting a new phone. Planning ahead to make sure all of your important information is moved from one device to the next is very important.

Android devices often come fully loaded with Google Drive and other Google-based applications. It’s important that you do some research on the different Google services so that you’re not completely blindsided when you get an Android device.

Before switching from an iPhone to an Android, you should get familiar with Google Drive. This platform will allow you to easily sync and transfer things like contacts, images, and calendars from your iPhone to your Android.

Get a Gmail Account

If you don’t currently have a Gmail email account, you’ll definitely want to consider creating one to use with your Android device. Your Gmail account will essentially play the same role on your Android device that your Apple ID played on your Apple device.

Although a Gmail account isn’t required to use the phone’s basic features, it is required if you want to use any of Google’s services.

Think About Which Apps You Want

Unfortunately, there is no way to transfer your apps from an iPhone to an Android, so you’ll have to be mindful of which apps you’ll need to re-download when you get your new device. The good news is that many (if not all) of the apps you loved on your iPhone will be available on your Android, as well.

If you have a lot of apps, think about which ones you’d like to have on your Android device. The process of downloading apps on your Android will be similar to what your experiences with your iPhone. All you’ll have to do is acess the Google Play Store and search for any app you wish to download.

Turn Off Your iMessage

Since iMessage was introduced, there have been several reports of people who have switched from Apple devices having difficulty receiving messages from current Apple users. In lots of instances, the messages fail to send altogether, which has been a big source of frustration for many people who have switched from Apple to Android.

In order to help you eliminate this problem, it’s important that you go to your iPhone’s settings and turn your iMessage off before getting your Android phone.

Switching from Apple to Android may seem overwhelming, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You’ll likely discover that transferring your contacts, photos, and other information is simple and seamless. Once you switch from an Apple to an Android, you may find that it’s one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

Samsung Galaxy S9 rated as best smartphone by Consumer Reports

Alexandra Arici
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Samsung’s latest Galaxy S9 and S9+ flagships been crowned number one among smartphones by Consumer Reports.

Both the Galaxy S9 and S9+ have taken the first place with a total of 81 points, thus defeating other top-rated phones. The previous Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and S8 Active follow with 79 points, while the iPhone 8 Plus has only taken the sixth place. The iPhone X, according to Consumer Reports, deserves the eight spot.

Given that the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are but incremental updates over last year’s models, it’s quite surprising they managed to come out on top of the back. But as Richard Fisco, head of smartphone testing at Consumer Reports explains:

“It really comes to personal preference when you’re talking about high-end phones these days.”

So you’re probably wondering why Consumer Reports was impressed with the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Well, the watchdog highlighted the durability of devices, stating that the S9 duo is much more durable than its predecessors.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 brings some notable improvements

Consumer Reports usually subjects all the devices its tests to a series of 100 drop tests. The Galaxy S9 managed to get through the entire series of tests with only minor scratches. The Galaxy S9+, on the other hand, didn’t fear out so well. The phone survived the first 50 drops but cracked in the next 50.

Even so, these results are superior when compared to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, which were badly damaged after 50 drops. It seems that Samsung made the right call when it implemented stronger metal and thicker glass on its new flagships.

UAG Galaxy S9 Smartphone Cases

Other strengths highlighted by Consumer Reports include the snappy Snapdragon 845 processor, the great-sounding stereo speakers and keeping the 3.5mm headphone jack.

The watchdog also saluted Samsung’s decision of moving the fingerprint sensor below the camera.

While Consumer Reports recognized the Galaxy S9 duo’s strengths, it also penalized the devices for average battery capacity, producing oversharpened photos and the award AR Emoji.

But will the Galaxy S9 manage to keep its crown for long? With the OnePlus 6 and LG G7 ThinQ just around the corner, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Mobvoi’s TicPods Free could be the true AirPods replacement for Android

Andrew Myrick
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Ever since Apple’s Airpods were released, the Android market has been on the hunt for a proper competitor. Over the last year, we have seen quite a few different options arrive. But none may be more intriguing than the new TicPods Free.

The TicPods Free come from Mobvoi, the company behind the TicWatch. As for what these AirPods competitors offer, the list is extensive:

  • In-ear detection
  • Intuitive touch controls
  • Noise isolation
  • Voice assistant support
  • Fast-charging
  • Ambient noise cancellation
  • 18-hour battery life
  • IPX5 water resistance

Moving back to the battery life, the advertised 18-hours comes from both the headphones and the case. The TicPods Free themselves are advertised as having a 4-hour battery life. This is expanded to up to an extra 14 hours with the included charging case.

TicPods Free

Now for pricing, the TicPods Free will sport a retail price of $129. However, if you head over to the Indiegogo campaign, you can pick up the TicPods Free for $79.

At the time of this writing, almost 1500 units have been claimed at the $79 price level. Then, the next tier is priced at $99, which is still a savings of more than 20%.

What is rather surprising is just how quickly Mobvoi has reached its goal of $50,000. Currently, the campaign is sitting at almost $290,000 thanks to the help of more than 3000 backers.

READ MORE: Zolo Liberty+ Review

Finally, the TicPods Free is expected to launch in July of this year. Although we are likely to learn more about these new headphones as the days go on.

If you want to check out the Indiegogo campaign, hit the button below. Be sure to let us know what you think about these headphones and if you’ve backed the campaign.

Back the TicPods Free!

Sprint’s Google Voice integration is coming to an end on June 1st

Andrew Myrick
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In case you weren’t aware, Google Voice and Sprint have been working alongside one another for the better part of 7 years. However, all of this is coming to an end on June 1st.

Google has announced that Voice integration with Sprint will be ending. The way this worked in the past is that you would connect your Voice number with your Sprint account and calls/messages would ring to Google Voice.

Adios Voice + Sprint Integration

Unfortunately, all of the fun is coming to an end. Google is recommending that you disable the integration from your Voice account before June 1st.

After June 1st, these are the major changes that are coming:

  • All outgoing calls (including international calls) and texts will be made through Sprint at Sprint’s calling and texting rates, if applicable.
  • All new messages, calls, and voicemails sent from your Sprint phone will not be stored in Google Voice. You will still be able to see your messages, voicemail, and call history from before June 1, 2018 in Google Voice on your Sprint device. You can also export this data from your Google Voice account at takeout.google.com.
  • You won’t be able to use Google Voice-enabled capabilities such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, spam detection, and other Google Voice features. These capabilities can be enabled from your Sprint device. Click here for more information on these features and how to enable from your Sprint device.

This means that you will need to re-install the Voice app if you want to continue using that number. For those who want to continue using their old number, you can port it to Voice. However, you will then need to get a new number from Sprint.

As for the reasoning behind this move, Google states that the changes are coming “due to upcoming upgrades to Sprint’s network”. Regardless, there’s not much else that can be done now.

If you want to learn more about the changes to Google Voice, hit the link here. Let us know if have been affected by this update and if you will continue to use Voice.

LEGO DC Mighty Micros lacks depth and purpose (review)

AndroidGuys
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Two of the most revered properties in the world (LEGO and DC) combine powers for a character-driven racing game for the kiddos and kids-at-heart. COUNT ME IN!

Oh, wait, you’re not really racing per se?

Ok, well, at least there are several awesome heroes and villains to unlock.

Uh, so, I’m just doing the same exact thing over and over regardless of who I’m controlling?

But, I mean, surely there are cool environments as I whip around the city?

Three of them? Ugh.

I can’t sugarcoat it. LEGO DC Mighty Micros is about as shallow as Bizarro himself. To be fair, the intended audience ranges from ages five to twelve. More on that later.

LEGO DC Mighty Micros Bizarro

Set Up

Head on over to the Google Play Store, download and you are right in the action starting off as Batman w/ Batcopter. There are literally no settings to fiddle with.

Gameplay

Mighty Micros is described as a racing game. As I was brought to a cutscene showing my character and vehicle, then an opposing villain and their mode of transportation, I assumed I would need to outrun them to a finish line.

What unfolds is a constant chase where you never pass the villain, there is no finish line and the various speed ramps you encounter mean absolutely nothing. You steer and collect weapons and studs until the action slows down and you disable the villain’s vehicle by launching character-specific projectiles. Once you hit them three times, you have accomplished your mission.

LEGO DC Mighty Micros Gameplay

Each time an enemy is thwarted, a cutscene focuses on the hero tossing a broom to the villain to … clean up the city? I dunno. If you accumulated enough studs you are then given an oversized gift to open which will either be a new character/vehicle or a horn sound effect (the horn is used for hovering a bit, nothing more).

Once you start grinding and unlocking more characters, you will have the option to assume the role of the baddy. With the roles reversed, there is only one difference in gameplay; you are positioned in front of the protagonist until it is time to launch your weapons.

LEGO DC Mighty Micros Joker

Strength In License

If there is one redeeming quality of Mighty Micros it certainly lies in the recognizability of LEGO DC characters. There is a bit of excitement when unlocking new heroes and villains with their respective vehicles:

  • Batman (two versions)
  • Superman
  • Wonder Woman
  • Robin
  • The Flash
  • Joker
  • Bizarro
  • Catwoman
  • Bane
  • Captain Cold
  • Doomsday
  • Killer Moth

It’s an impressive roster with rides and projectiles for each. But once all characters are unlocked there is almost no incentive to continue playing.

LEGO DC Mighty Micros Characters

What Could Have Been

This game is targeting an age group of five to twelve. I myself have a seven-year-old gamer son, I am willing to say that the age span is a bit overzealous.

The assortment of characters, although plentiful, all basically operate the same. This is one more aspect where the devs could have scrutinized more with special abilities or separate sound effects. As it stands, the only differentiating features are the skins. Yes, they have different weapons, but they all do the same thing — as is also the case with the vehicles.

LEGO System A/S would have been better served with something more along the lines of the kid-friendly kart racer, Angry Birds Go! Unfortunately, Mighty Micros is not ambitious enough even for the youngest of fans.

Quick Wrap-Up

LEGO DC Mighty Micros Flash

LEGO DC Mighty Micros seems to exist as just a showcase for the involved properties. The lack of depth or even fun is evident all throughout the game. Sure the graphics are top notch, the music and sound effects are great, but the overall package is a stale endeavor.

This kid-at-heart was expecting “Mighty,” but instead “Micro” describes the game very well; offering very little.

You can grab LEGO DC Mighty Micros at the Google Play Store

Check out this mouse pad that’s also a wireless charger for your phone

Alexandra Arici
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Traditionally mouse pads have served one function – provide a slick and even surface for the mouse to slide on. But modern mouse pads are a lot less boring than that.

Take for example, the MousePad+, a product created by New York-based studio Takieso Graft Design.

Like the name indicates, the accessory provides a surface for your mouse to slide on, but also doubles as a wireless charging pad for your smartphone. So if you own a Samsung Galaxy S9 or LG V30, all you have to do is place your phone on top of the MousePad+ and it will start charging.

The MousePad+ is more than a pad for your mouse

The MousePad+ is made of two parts: the wireless charging one is covered in brown/black or blue leather, while the mouse pad portion is made from wool fiber. You can plug the mouse directly into your mouse or PC.

The company is marketing the mouse as portable because you can easily fold it and pack it into a bag or backpack.

The MousePad+ is currently up on Kickstarter gathering funds. And with 40 more days to go, the project already surpassed its funding goal.

If you hurry up, you can still get a MousePad+ (with USB-A) for only $29. The expected retail price is $69. The mice should start shipping to backers come July 2018. A MousePad+ plus USB-C bundle is available for $35.

Computer mice have been around for around 50 years or longer, and for most of that, they’ve been paired with mouse pads. But modern optical and laser mice can track on just about any surface. So for many people, mouse pads don’t serve a purpose anymore.

While a mouse pad isn’t technically necessary these days, there are still a lot of folks out there who like adorning their desks with one.  For them, the MousePad+ could be a great purchase. So if you fall into this category, head on to Kickstarter.

Android Oreo on 4% of all devices, April 2018 distribution numbers show

AndroidGuys
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Android Oreo arrived in the mobile world on August 21, 2017. Since then, we’ve seen a number of new and current smartphones receive it.

And yet, some are curious as to just how much of a trickle-down effect Oreo is having within Android. April 2018 distribution numbers show that Android Oreo is still a mobile newborn.

Android Oreo is making its way into the Android world very slowly

According to Google’s own April 2018 distribution list of active Android devices, only 4.6% of Android devices have some form of Android Oreo (whether 8.0 or 8.1). Of that percentage, 4.1% have 8.0, with 0.5% living on 8.1.

 

The April 2018 distribution numbers show the majority of Android users living on 6.0 Marshmallow (26%) and 7.0 Nougat (23%).

Nearly the same percentage of users are using Lollipop as are using 7.0 Nougat (22.9% Lollipop vs. 23% Nougat). Android 4.4 KitKat still has a double-digit percentage share of the OS pie with 10.5%.

Android Oreo brings Google Play Protect, a feature that scans apps before downloading and updating them.

Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode allows users to do two things side-by-side. Notification app badges and battery improvements are strong additions as well. We’ve got 8 killer reasons to want Android 8.0 Oreo we encourage you to check out.

Android Oreo is making its way, slowly but surely, through the Android world. Oreo has already landed on the OnePlus 5 and 5T, LG V30, Samsung Galaxy S8, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Oreo numbers are sure to improve in the future.

iHeartRadio now offers free curated playlists to everyone

Alexandra Arici
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iHeartRadio, a free service known for merging live radio and a curated catalogue, is adding a new feature this week, which will be available for all users, free and paid.

Called Playlist Radio, the new option allows music lovers to listen to iHeartRadio-curated playlists without paying a subscription. To get started, you’ll need to head over to the playlists tab in iHeartRadio. From there you’ll be able to choose from any of the mood- or genre-specific playlists available.

Playlists are curated and programmed by radio DJs and other iHeartRadio staff. This means the new feature doesn’t use an algorithm to decide what you’d like to hear next. Instead, it relies on real people. But there’s a catch.

iHeartRadio opens Playlist Radio to everyone

While you’ll be able to pick your playlists, you won’t be able to choose individual songs to play or save the playlists for offline listening later on. These options are still reserved for iHeartRadio Plus and iHeartRadio All-Access subscribers.

The songs will play in their given order, but you can still skip up to six songs per hour within a playlist. The same is available for free users listening to iHeartRadio’s artist stations.

iHeartRadio says playlists will be updated every week. Except for those who focus on a certain particular era, like for example 80s music.

With the introduction of Playlist Radio, iHeartRadio’s 1,000+ existing playlists become available to a wider audience. Previously, these playlists were available only to subscribers of iHeartRadio Plus ($4.99/month), or All Access ($9.99/month).

Playlist Radio is currently rolling out users on iOS or Android. So if you’re curious about the new feature, don’t forget to check the playlists tab in iHeartRadio.

Don’t forget that in order to be able to save tracks from curated playlists or to listen to music offline, you’ll still need to sign up for a subscription. However, iHeartRadio gives you a free 30-day trial, so you can try out these features and see if you like them.

Nokia 6 (2018) lands in the US at Walmart and Amazon

AndroidGuys
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The Nokia 6 (2018) was a China exclusive at launch. Fans have been eagerly awaiting it to hit the shores of the US and now the wait is over. The device is now available at Walmart and Amazon. Walmart is only offering the 32GB storage configuration, while Amazon is offering the 64GB storage option.

The Nokia 6 (2018) features the same 5.5-inch IPS Full HD (1080p) display as its predecessor. But, this time around the home button has been moved to the rear of the device. You’ll get the same cameras on the front and back (8MP, f/2.0 and 16MP, f/2.0, respectively) and the Carl Zeiss optics for which Nokia’s old Windows-powered Lumias were renown. The Nokia 6 also includes an additional microphone for HMD’s new OZO Audio.

The drawbacks in all of this are that there’s one less speaker to enjoy in HMD Global’s 2018 offering.

Other features of the Nokia 6 (2018) include a 3,000 mAh battery, a USB Type-C port, fast charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Dual Sight (or Bothie) Mode for simultaneous front and rear camera video recording. Though running Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, the phone has been upgraded to Android 8.1 Oreo a few days ago. The 801.4 MB update brings a revamped power menu, Bluetooth battery percentage, and the April 2018 security patch.

If interested, head on over to Amazon and Walmart and check it out. Let us know if you’ve been waiting for the Nokia 6.

The Razer Phone is updated with Android 8.1 and is coming to Best Buy

Andrew Myrick
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The Razer Phone was launched in November of last year, and has become the “go-to” device for gamers. However, Razer had delayed the release of Android Oreo for various reasons.

Android Oreo incoming

The company started beta testing Android 8.0 Oreo, before pulling that round of tests. Instead, Razer opted to update its first smartphone with Android 8.1 Oreo.

READ MORE: The best Android phones for Gaming

Starting today, the beta program is officially over, as the latest version of Android starts rolling out. This is impressive considering that Razer, a new player in the phone space, kept to its schedule of mid-to-late April.

In addition to bringing Oreo to all of the Razer Phone lovers, it will now be easier for you to get your hands on one. Starting today, you can purchase the Razer Phone for $699.99 from Best Buy’s online storefront.

The company states that the device will be coming to retail locations, but there’s no specific information as to when that may be. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how well the Razer Phone performs when it comes to sales.

Obviously, the device was not available in any storefront locations and was only available online. That is all about to change as Razer prepares to bring its device to more users.

READ MORE: Best cases to protect your Razer Phone

As a reminder, the Razer Phone marked the first smartphone to ship with a 120 Hz display. This has been combined with HDR playback, Dolby Atmos sound, and flagship specs for an excellent overall experience.

Let us know what you think about the Razer Phone and if you are interested in picking one up.

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