Samsung has released their new Galaxy S6 and if you’re disappointed you waited, or tried it out and decided it wasn’t for you, here’s how to switch — or switch back to the iPhone.

The only constant with Samsung is change. Every year is feels like they try something different. That can make it both interesting and maddening for those already using one of the company’s phones, or waiting to see what using one might be like. Take the all-new Samsung Galaxy S6 by way of example. It swaps out the plastic casing, replaceable battery, SD card slot, and water-proofing of last year’s model for a metal chassis, and Touch ID- and Apple Pay-like features that seem right out of the iPhone’s playbook. So, whether you feel like Samsung is no longer filling your needs, or if you’re going to iPhone-like you might as well go iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus proper, here’s what you need to know to switch — or switch back — to iPhone.

How to switch from Samsung to iPhone

If you’re already using Google services, it’s ridiculously easy to switch from any Samsung phone to the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. That’s because Google makes almost all their apps for iOS, including YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, Hangouts, Google+, Google Authenticator, Chrome, Google Search, Google Drive, Google Play Music, and more. It’s no secret Google covets iPhone owners, so they make sure the company’s best apps are there, and provide a great experience. In most cases, switching to iPhone is as simple as downloading the Google apps and logging in.

• Read all about how to move your data from Samsung to iPhone
• Read all about how to move your music from Samsung to iPhone

Why to switch from Samsung to iPhone

If you’re still on the fence about making the switch from a Galaxy S to an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, there are lots of reasons to consider it. Apple Stores and AppleCare, better apps, and better privacy and security are just a few of them. Our readers have given us many, many others.

emanwis:

I switched from the S5 to the iPhone 6 for a couple of reasons. I like iOS better and couldn’t get used to Android software. I think iOS is smoother and has less problems. Also, I did not like the water resistant charging port cover. It was cheap, prone to breaking, and a royal pain. I am much happier after switching back to iPhone.

Ninjarette:

I love Android, and thought I would miss the customization options and a few apps that aren’t available on iOS. However, iOS 8 is VERY nice and I find iOS to be a much more “peaceful” phone experience – everything works together and the notification center is stellar. It’s a very “comforting” phone and with all the tips and tricks, it’s a beast.

mattjohnson78:

When I decided to switch back to iOS I also decided to take the plunge and went all Apple. I sold off my Surface Pro and Android tablet and decided to buy an iPad Mini 2 and used MacBook Pro. Recently I have upgrade to the iPhone 6, iPad Mini 3 w/LTE and MacBook Pro Retina. All I can say is the best decision I have made, less problems all around. Would have never seen myself as a Mac person but I am now and happy to be a Mac person. Now I recommend Macs to my friends and co-workers.

jerrelltaylor85:

I was a long time and hardcore android user. I basically became bored with android in general and wanted to try something new. My only complaint with iPhones were the size. And now that we have bigger versions there was no more excuses. I’m definitely upset that I waited so long. iOS is so smooth. No lag. Battery life is great. I’m definitely surprised.

mattyb1085:

I’ve been an android user since 2010 and finally made the switch last week to an iPhone 6 for two reasons: camera and battery. 10 out of 10 would switch again.

borg_cube:

I had an S4. I switched to the iPhone 6+ once Apple came out with a large screen device. I was tired of waiting 4+ months for Verizon to release the latest Android OS updates. Additionally the phone was filled with bloatware– both useless carrier and Samsung apps. I’ve been really satisfied with the iPhone 6+ and the quality of the apps is often higher than their equivalents in Android. I’m also enjoying the benefits of paying with Apple Pay as I had my credit cards replaced twice in 2014 due to the Target and Home Depot hack-ins.

Time to switch!

The Samsung Galaxy S6 is here, and whether it’s not what you wanted or just a reminder of what Apple does best, it’s absolutely worthwhile checking out the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to see if it better suits your needs. If it does, it might just be time to switch.

• iPhone 6 review
• iPhone 6 Plus review
• iPhone buyers guide
• Switch to iPhone guide

Adding apps and software to OS X Yosemite can clutter up the menu bar. Fortunately there are easy ways to fix that problem.

Creative Cloud, Dropbox, Time Machine. Before you know it your menu bar is crowded from both ends. Especially when you’re using a smaller screen, like on the MacBook Air, you might like to keep your menu bar tidy. Here’s a few of my top recommendations for unflattering your Mac menu bar:

Uncheck “show in menu bar”

Many system tools like the Network and Sound system preferences have options to show in the menu bar. Uncheck the option and that’ll make them go away. Take ten minutes and go through them, and you’ll find your menu bar looking a lot less nasty. Just don’t turn off “show in menu bar” if it’s something you need to use frequently.

By the same token, many apps that populate the menu bar offer an option to turn off as well, so check carefully.

You can also re-sort the placement of system preference menus by holding down the command key and clicking on the icon, then dragging it to its new spot.

Bartender

If you want to be a bit more proactive to keep the menu bar under control, you can install Bartender. Made by Surtees Studios, it’s a very cleverly named tool that tends to the menu bar.

Bartender moves your Mac menu bar clutter to a separate palette. You have control over what menu bar items you see in Bartender and what remain in place. You can assign hotkeys to activate Bartender from the keyboard, too.

You need to download Bartender from its web site instead of the Mac App Store. That’s because of Apple’s “sandboxing” requirements for apps sold in the Mac App Store. Bartender is very well supported and the web site manages secure transactions, so you can trust them.

Fortunately, Bartender supports a four-week trial that lets you kick the tires before spending your money.

• $15 – Download now

MenuBar ReArranger 2

Fabrice Leyne’s MenuBar ReArranger 2 is another excellent choice. It works similarly to Bartender by removing excess clutter from your menu bar, but lets you do more with that clutter.

You can create two custom profiles that you can quickly switch between: One for work and one for home, for example. Populate the work one with the software you need to do your job and populate the home one with the stuff you do outside the office.

You can reorder and rearrange the display of different menu bar items with fine control. You can also set keyboard shortcuts to activate the different profiles, expand the menu bar and show or hide the MenuBar ReArranger 2 icon itself.

MenuBar ReArranger 2 works similarly to Bartender in that it can’t be sold at the Mac App Store, but just like Bartender the developer makes a trial version available for download so you can try before paying.

• $9.99 – Download now

Whether it’s by disabling, de-installing software you don’t use or adding a third party tool to clean up the menu bar, you can get it under control. What’s your favorite way to modify the Mac’s menu bar? Let me know in the comments.

The Spatials, is a new space-based simulation game that puts you in charge of the galaxy’s most popular tourist attraction.

Now available for Mac, The Spatials starts you on a lone asteroid in a randomly-generated galaxy, and you’ll need to build out your space station, make contact with new alien species, and fight off space pirates to build your business. You are responsible for everything from the size of the rooms and shops to decorations and store merchandise.

The game uses a combination of mechanics from 4X strategy games as well as action RPGs, and when you start the game you’ll be placed in a randomly-generated galaxy with over 100 planets. You can explore those planets and asteroids, and you can participate in real-time combat against dangerous enemies, receiving dynamically-generated loot as a reward for victory.

The Spatials is available from Steam at the special launch price of $9.74. Starting April 7, the game will be sold at its regular price, $12.99.

• $9.74 (until April 7) – Download Now

Be sure to check out our favorite games for Mac

For those of you who utilize alternate browsers on your device, you may remember Browsie Browser. This native third-party browser offered a variety of features to help you with your browsing experience. These included ad blocking, speed dials, useragents, private browsing, export/import, and the ability to lock the app with a pin.

Read More »

Apple sells only one external monitor: The Thunderbolt Display. Is it worth $1,000?

Given that the Mac can work with just about any display using the right adapter, what exactly do you get with the Thunderbolt Display, anyway? That’s the question I’m trying to help a reader with this week.

M.J. writes:

What is your opinion of the Apple Thunderbolt Display? I want it as a second screen for my 2014 13″ MacBook Pro.

I’m a fan of the Thunderbolt Display. It has a beautiful color gamut, looks like a Mac peripheral and sports oodles of screen real estate with its 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution.

What’s more, it hooks up to the Mac using a single built-in Thunderbolt cable (hence the name), but provides three powered USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, Gigabit Ethernet, and additional Thunderbolt port for you. There’s also built-charging cable for MacBooks old and new alike (it’s a MagSafe charger which works with older MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, but Apple includes a MagSafe 2 adapter to connect to all the newer MacBooks too — except for the MacBook — the new MacBook, which uses USB-C. What’s more, the Thunderbolt Display has a built-in FaceTime camera and speakers, so you won’t have to clutter up your desk with an external webcam or external speakers.

If you’re looking for the best-integrated display that looks and acts like a proper Apple product, you won’t find anything that works, looks and sports the same features as the Thunderbolt Display.

Having said that, it’s pretty ferociously expensive compared to other 2560 x 1440 resolution 27-inch displays. You can find displays for less than $300 with the same resolution and the same screen size. And connecting them to a Mac with Thunderbolt is trivial: You usually just need a Thunderbolt to DVI or HDMI adapter to make it happen.

These dramatically less-expensive displays are not going to be calibrated the same way as the Thunderbolt Display and they’re not going to look the same as the Thunderbolt Display. But if you’re on a budget and you just want to see more stuff on the screen, such displays are the way to go.

There are a few things that make me pause when considering the Thunderbolt Display. Its design is one of them. It was created before Apple moved to the thinner design used by the iMac in 2012, which means it still has a thick black bezel, it’s heavy and awkward to move. Customers in the store I work in often confuse our demo model, connected to a new Mac Pro for an older iMac. Also, it has three USB 2.0 ports: Fine for mice, keyboards and slower storage peripherals. But much of the USB peripheral world, especially hard drive makers, has moved to faster USB 3.0. Those devices will work with the older USB 2.0 interface, they just won’t work at optimal speed.

I’d like to see Apple update it, but I don’t think that’ll happen right away. Apple’s newest hotness is the 5K iMac, which came out in late 2014. That device uses a screen with such high resolution that there isn’t a Mac that has an external interface that can handle it.

That won’t happen until Apple updates Macs with Intel Skylake processors, which aren’t expected to go into distribution until later this year. There’s no guarantee that Apple’s going to be early with Skylake-equipped Macs, either.

Bottom line: If you want a display for your Mac that looks and acts like a Mac display should, Apple’s Thunderbolt Display is a good choice. Especially if someone else like an employer is paying the bill. But if you want to get more for your money, shop around and accept that the display you’re looking at won’t have an Apple logo on it.

If you have an iPhone 6 and don’t want to cover it up, but also don’t want to sacrifice protection, there’s always an awesome clear case for that.

The iPhone 6 has a gorgeous design and for many folks, it’s not something we want to cover up, particularly if you opted for the gold model. That being said, if it makes you nervous to think about carrying your iPhone around naked, we understand that too. That’s what a great clear case is for. This way you can rest assured your iPhone 6 is safe, without adding a bulky or unattractive case you really didn’t want in the first place.

However, not all clear cases are created equal. These are currently our favorite transparent cases for iPhone 6!

Case-Mate Naked Tough Case

The Naked Tough case by Case-Mate consists of two parts, a bumper and an outer shell. From afar you won’t even notice this case, especially if you opt for the completely clear model. It gives you just enough grip to hold on to but won’t stick to the insides of your pockets or pick up lint. The buttons are also super easy to press, a must with cases like this. There’s a smoke black transparent option too.

• $16 thru $20 – Buy now

Poetic Atmosphere series

I have always loved the feel of Poetic Atmosphere cases and their clear case for iPhone 6 is no exception. This case is slightly more rigid than most silicon clear cases making it more durable. The edges can also be outfitted with an accent color if that’s your thing. For less than $15, it’s by far one of my favorite budget clear cases that still looks and feels super high quality.

• $10 thru $14 – Buy now

Case Ace Crystal Clear

If ultra clear and ultra thin is what you want, the Case Ace is one of my favorites. It’s one of the best see through cases since it’s so thin. Buttons are easy to push and for the most part, you’ll forget you have a case on your iPhone 6. Just remember that thin, light, and ultra clear also means minimal protection.

• $10 – Buy now

Caseology iPhone 6 Clear Case

If you want clear but also want a touch of color, the Caseology Clear Case for iPhone 6 gives you just that. It functions more of a bumper with a built-in back guard that happens to be clear. You can choose many different colors as trim color, or just opt for clear. The lip around the edges is also raised just slightly in order to protect the screen should you drop your iPhone face down.

• $11 – Buy now

Spigen Case Capsule Clear Case

Spigen makes awesomely laser precise and high quality products. Their Capsule Clear case for iPhone 6 is no exception. It’s clear, grippy, and looks great. Spigen also treats their clear cases with a coating to prevent against yellowing in the future. If you’ve had that issue, Spigen may be your safest bet.

• $11 – Buy now

Case-Mate Tough Air Case

If you want something with a little more texture and grip, the Tough Air Case by Case-Mate is a great choice. It features grids on the back that allow your iPhone 6 to stay in your hand, and on a table or not so flat surface. There are tons of fun edge colors to choose from too, and of course you can go for straight up clear as well if you prefer.

$10 thru $20 – Buy now

Your picks?

These are our absolute favorites when it comes to keeping our iPhone 6 protected without complete covering it up. We know there are lots of transparent case options out there to suit all kinds of personalities. If you found something different that you think is totally awesome, be sure to let me know in the comments!

Ed: Welcome to this week’s edition of The Pixel Project: a weekly comic from Diesel Sweeties‘ Rich Stevens on Apple, technology, and everything in-between. Today: Cat on a Quad-Core Roof

Read more comics from the Pixel Project on iMore.com.

T-Mobile on Monday said its new coverage map is based on “customer usage data points” rather than theoretical coverage. I call bullshit.

I’ve had T-Mobile service for about two years now. I became a T-Mobile customer after a brief dalliance with Straight Talk Wireless, back in 2013. The company had just brought the iPhone 5 online — its first iPhone.

At the time, T-Mobile was still managing a transition to 4G LTE coverage from what it had before and things were rough. I went a long time before I saw any data speeds or coverage close to what I was accustomed to as an AT&T customer. Even now, though I’m having problems. Which makes T-Mobile’s new more accurate map questionable, in my eyes.

In all fairness to T-Mobile, they’ve improved leaps and bounds in the surrounding area since then. They’ve really improved data speeds and coverage, and plan to continue to do so. When I go up to Boston, about an hour and a half from where I live, I get really good service (at least when I’m outside; go into buildings and things still go pear-shaped quickly).

But in my local area, about 60 miles as the crow flies from Boston, there are still lots of areas where I’ll watch my coverage go down to one or two bars, or my iPhone 6 will tell me I’m now on GPRS or EDGE.

So it was with curiosity that I read T-Mobile’s press release on Monday. The company claims it is a “more transparent and accurate map showing, for example, where to expect 4G LTE, 4G, 3G or other levels of coverage.”

Here’s what the map looks like where I live.

I live in almost the center of this map. which is almost edge-to-edge magenta: Indicative of 4G LTE coverage. When I zoomed in closer I found plenty of points on the map to show the actual customer data they’re talking about. But that’s not a realistic portrayal of T-Mobile’s coverage in my area at all.

The area at the top of the Mac – Sandwich, MA — has a downtown area that’s almost a total dead zone for T-Mobile. I can barely make a phone call in some area, let alone get anything close to 4G LTE data speeds. It’s not unusual to see “No Carrier” appear on the iPhone 6.

Driving home, I’ll watch my phone jump from three or four bars of LTE — in close proximity to Route 6, what we locally call the “Mid-Cape Highway,” one of the main thoroughfares tourists use to get to their vacation destinations in my area — down to GPRS in the space of less two miles. Most of the ride from there may indeed be LTE, but it’s only one bar, and pretty close to useless. And that’s another problem I have with this map: It doesn’t tell the whole story. Just because a phone registers LTE doesn’t mean that LTE actually does anything.

I understand full well that any customer-facing content a company like T-Mobile is going to put on its own web site is going to be heavily skewed to favor its own marketing message, but this announcement that the map is more accurate rubs me the wrong way.

As a tech reporter, I’ve gotten accustomed to getting regular PR and marketing updates from T-Mobile in my in-box. They’re continuing to sink a lot of money into getting the word out about their network, and they’re making a lot of noise. I truly believe that T-Mobile is causing some beneficial disruption in the American wireless market, too — some of their efforts have caused Verizon, AT&T and Sprint to change the way they do business. I hope they keep it up. Just based on my own experience, however I remain skeptical of T-Mobile’s claims about the overall speed and reliability of their network. They have a long way to go before they have anything as robust as their leading competitors’ networks, at least where I use them.

Despite all of my ranting about T-Mobile lying, I still remain a customer. I like their position as scrappy upstart; I admire their plain-talking (often profane) CEO John Legere, I like the perks, like using my iPhone as a hotspot, rollover data (or whatever they call it), no data charge against streaming music services like iTunes Music and more, and I still appreciate the considerably lower monthly bills my family pays for coverage through T-Mobile compared to the competition.

But I don’t like being lied to. And this new map lies. T-Mobile, quit lying. It insults us both.