Switching from iPhone to Android: Everything you need to know

So you’ve seen the light and are switching from iPhone to Android. Welcome! Here’s what you need to know!

Switching from iPhone to Android can be a bit daunting. If you’re unpacking a brand new Pixel or Galaxy S7, or something else equally exciting, let us help you get set up quickly and easily!

If you’ve never used an Android phone before, there are a few things you should know before taking the leap (even though it’s the leap home).

There’s a learning curve

Switching from iPhone to Android isn’t the same as upgrading the from the iPhone 6s to the iPhone 7. It’s more akin to switching from Mac to PC (though not as drastic). General functions are still similar, but major Android phone manufacturers will often have proprietary user interfaces, distinguishing them from other makers.

Therein lies the rub. There is no single version of Android in the way that there’s only one iOS. Companies take the Android operating system and interpret it and mold it according to their vision, meaning you’ll get a different experience using a Samsung phone than you would using an HTC phone or an LG phone.

Though all Android operate similarly on a fundamental level, it’s the little, finicky difference that set them all apart, so it may take some getting used to.

If you’re just about to turn off your iPhone and put your SIM card into a brand new Pixel, Galaxy or something else shiny, here’s what you need to know!

Turn off iMessage!

When you message other iPhones from your iPhone, they’ll communicate via iMessage when you’re connected to the internet. This is different from regular SMS texting, and if you leave iMessage turned on on your iPhone, many of your texts will still be routed through that service.

If you’re on your new Android phone, you won’t receive any of those messages. You need to disable iMessage before making the switch! (And while you’re at it, turn off FaceTime.)

• How to disable and deactivate iMessage on iPhone

You might have to buy your apps again

If you have pay-upfront apps on your iPhone that you paid for, you’ll likely have to buy them again from the Google Play Store if you want them on your Android phone.

The Google Play Store and the App Store are completely different entities, and the apps they house are made for different platforms. Some of the apps you had on your iPhone may not even be available for your Android phone and vice versa. That said, if you’re subscribing to a service like Spotify or Evernote, you just need to download the app and log in on your new Android phone to get going.

You may need to re-sync your life

If you have all of your contacts, calendar events, photos, documents, and more synced with iCloud, and everything’s on your iPhone, you’ll likely have to re-sync everything on your Android phone.

Android’s version of the cloud is housed in your Google apps, like Docs, Gmail, Contacts, Drive, and more. When setting up your Android phone, you’ll set up a Google account and from there, you can actually sync some of your iCloud content with your Google account, so that you don’t have to re-enter all of your dates, contacts, etc.

What you’ll need to bring with you

You don’t have to leave your life behind on your iPhone. You can bring your information with you so that you’re not taking hours to populate your Android phone with all of your stuff.

Contacts

Yes, Google and Apple are direct competitors and the two biggest competitors in the mobile game, but neither makes it too difficult to switch teams. Rather than manually enter all of your contacts into your new Android phone, you can export your iPhone contacts in a few different ways.

• How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android

Calendars

If your calendar is flush with events, it’d be a major pain in the behind to have to add them all in again once you’ve made the switch to Android. Luckily, all of your calendar info resides in files called ICS, which are widely used and easy to transfer.

• How to sync your iPhone calendar to your Android phone

Photos

Like most of us, your phone is probably your primary camera. You’ll want to take those precious memories with you when you leave the land of Apple, especially if you’re planning on erasing and selling your iPhone after. We recommend using Google Photos. Most Android phones have Google Photos pre-installed (and if not, it can be downloaded from the Play Store) and it’s a super quick and easy process.

• How to transfer iPhone photos to Android

Documents

If you use iCloud Drive, then you probably have a few documents socked away and you might want to get rid of iCloud Drive in favor of Google Drive when you switch to Android. Transferring those files is easy if you use the iCloud Drive and Google Drive desktop apps!

• How to transfer your iCloud Drive files to Google Drive

Manufacturer tools

Some manufacturers have their own tools to help you migrate your information from a computer. So if you have all your iPhone data on a computer, you can add it to your Android phone using the maker’s tool.

You won’t be able to add an iPhone backup to your Android phone, but you’ll be able to drag and drop contacts, music, and more from your computer.

Samsung Smart Switch

You’ll need to use the desktop client to be able to move your iPhone data to your new Samsung phone. It’s essentially the same as moving files around on your computer, but by connecting your Android phone to your computer, you’ll be able to transfer everything right to your phone.

• Download now
• How to use Samsung Smart Switch to back up your Galaxy phone

LG Bridge

LG Bridge lets you interact with your LG phone on your computer, where you can easily transfer all of the stuff you want to bring over when you migrate from iPhone to Android.

• How to use LG Bridge with your LG phone

Pixel Switch

Each Google Pixel comes with a USB-OTG adapter that allows you to quickly and easily transfer files, contacts, calendar entries and even iMessages from an iPhone to your new Android phone.

• Learn more about Pixel Switch at Google

Just remember

At the end of the day, switching to Android from iPhone is nowhere near as difficult as switching your writing hand, or even using that hand to write a test! An Android phone still performs the same basic functions you’re used to: making calls, messaging, surfing the web, playing games, etc.

It may take some getting used to, but you might find yourself feeling freed with all the customizable options that Android has to offer (I took three days to decide my home screen layout when I got my first Android phone after switching from iPhone).

Have fun with it and really do your research before buying your first Android phone so that you make sure you’re buying what’s best for you.

If you need some help with choosing, check out our Smartphone Buyer’s Guide, where we show you the particulars on just about every Android phone around, so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to switching over.

Questions?

Got a question about using and Android phone? Little nervous about making the switch? Let us know in the comments below!

Android 7.0 Nougat

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• All Android Nougat news
• How to manually update your Nexus
• Join the Discussion

HP’s Sprocket pocket-sized printer lets you print instant smartphone photos

HP has introduced the Sprocket, a compact, pocket-sized printer that can instantly print 2 x 3-inch photos from your smartphone. To print photos, you’ll need to open up the Sprocket app for iOS and Android and connect to the printer via Bluetooth.

The app can pull in photos from your phone, Facebook, Flickr and Instagram accounts and can also access live camera so you can take a picture and immediately print it.

HP offers a whole range of editing options from within the app, such as adding captions and borders which are then printed out on sticky-backed Zink paper. This paper doesn’t rely on ink cartridges, but tiny crystals that heat up to show colours, so you don’t need to worry about changing cartridges all the time. You can also share your images on social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook.

You can take the Sprocket around with you thanks to a built-in rechargeable battery, although HP doesn’t say how long it should last, but it does take around 90 minutes to fully charge.

The HP Sprocket is available now in white and rose gold or black and silver for £99.99. A 20-pack of Zink paper will set you back £9.99 a time.

Best Laptop 2016: EE Pocket-lint Gadget Awards nominees

It’s that time of year again where the team here at Pocket-lint is gearing up ready for our annual Gadget Awards. Our awards are now in their 13th year and with them will come 14 categories, each celebrating the amazing devices we have seen appear and reviewed in full over the last 12 months.

Every year we post a series of features in the the run up to the awards, each diving a little deeper into the individual categories and the nominees within them. The idea is to give you a run down as to why they have been shortlisted and what we think is great about them.

So far, you’ll be able to find the breakdown of the Best Game, Best Camera, Best Phone and Best Tablet / 2-in-1, all of which you can find in the Awards hub. Here we are looking at the nominees for Best Laptop of 2016. This is an exciting category this year, with several manufacturers really upping their game when it comes to design, but which of the six laptop nominees will take home the trophy?

Click here to see the Awards nominees for 2016’s Best Laptop in a little more detail to help you make your mind up about which one should get your vote.

Voting in the 13th annual EE Pocket-lint Awards is now open so you can let us know which one of these great devices you think should win the Best Laptop award for this year and give us your verdict on all the other tech across the 13 select categories.

Winners will be announced at the exclusive event in London on 23 November in association with EE. For now, keep an eye on the EE Pocket-lint Gadget Awards 2016 hub for all the latest on how the voting works, who the elite judges are and the EE Pocket-lint Gadget Awards shortlist.

Here’s how to make a robotic dress that can pour cocktails

This one’s for the ladies (and gents) tired of the same ol’ party dresses you can buy. Dutch fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht has shared detailed instructions on how to recreate her robotic, cocktail-pouring, leather-and-electronic masterpiece. She calls it the Drinkbot, and it looks like something Lady Gaga, the Hunger Games tribute from District 3 or the alien bartender on a space cruise would wear.

The designer listed out all the materials you’ll need and even where to get them, along with instructions on how to put it all together. If you have the technical skills to make it work, just follow the instructions, and you’re golden. Take note that you’ll need to do some coding on top of tinkering with hardware components. You’ll even have to 3D print the front piece that houses the shotglass if you have a printer — otherwise, you can get Shapeways to do it for you.

Wipprecht is known for creating out-of-this-world high-tech clothing. Back in 2014, she teamed up with Intel to create a 3D-printed spider-inspired gown that can defend its wearer when it senses motion. Compared to that one, this already looks much tamer and more approachable.

Source: Instrucatables

Netflix Shares Soar on Surprise Third Quarter Subscriptions Boom

Netflix has reported surprisingly strong third quarter results, sending the company’s share prices soaring 20 percent in late trade (via Reuters).

The streaming content company added over 50 percent more subscribers than expected, owing to original shows like Stranger Things and Narcos drawing significant numbers of new international viewers and retaining U.S. customers despite a price hike. The news led to a share price rise to $119.82 in extended trade from a close of $99.80.

The company’s performance signaled a distinct turnaround from its previous quarter, which indicated largely disappointing subscription growth. Netflix said it was on course to start collecting yields on its global profits next year, even though it was increasing spending on original programming.

Netflix said it had added about 3.2 million subscribers in Q3, far higher than a 2 million average estimate. In the U.S., the company added 370,000 subscribers, also above analysts’ estimate of 309,000.

Netflix has expanded into more than 130 markets worldwide, including most major countries, except China. It said on Monday it was temporarily dropping plans to launch a service in China in the near term, opting instead to license its shows for “modest” revenue.

The company plans to increase spending on original TV shows and movies from last year by $1 billion, for a total of $6 billion earmarked for 2017.

Netflix’s shares have surged in the past few years, thanks to rapid growth as the company achieved a significant shift in television watching habits. However, stock was down 12.7 percent this year as investors worried about slowing growth in the U.S. market and increasing competition from the likes of HBO Now, Amazon Video, and Hulu.

Tag: Netflix
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Five reasons to invest in a HomeKit device for your home

Apple’s HomeKit technology has many benefits. With support for HomeKit built into some connected devices, such as Elgato’s Eve range and its Eve Room indoor sensor, you can turn any home into a smarthome quickly and easily. You can then manage it from your mobile device using Apple’s Home app, as well as control it with your voice through Siri.

Your HomeKit-enabled connected devices can be controlled locally via your phone, or remotely via an Apple TV connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

You can program time-related commands, such as having your connected lamps turn on or off at specific times each day, for instance and HomeKit also supports non-scheduled events, such as turning on all your connected lamps when a connected motion sensor is triggered.

Here’s everything you need to know about HomeKit and a number of reasons why, when turning your home smart, it should be at the top of your list.

What is HomeKit?

Apple’s HomeKit technology might seem really confusing, but it’s not.

It basically allows connected devices from various manufacturers to work together, and it gives you a uniformed way of controlling all those devices at once, in a given scene, using an iPhone, iPad, and even an Apple Watch.

HomeKit lets you create “scenes” to control your connected devices in different combinations. You could create a scene called “leaving home” for example, which might turn off your smart lights, lock all your doors, and lower your smart thermostat – all with a single command.

Siri can recognise any HomeKit-enabled connected devices you have in your home, so you can ask Siri to turn a device on or off.

HomeKit-enabled connected devices are smart accessories with built-in support for Apple’s HomeKit technology. They can be lights, locks, thermostats, plugs, switches, sensors, shades, etc. Over 50 brands worldwide make accessories that work with HomeKit, including Elgato Eve.

Elgato’s Eve range currently consists of Eve Energy (switch and power meter) (Buy: UK, US), Eve Room (wireless indoor sensor), Eve Weather (wireless outdoor sensor), Eve Thermo (thermostatic radiator valve), and Eve Door and Window (wireless contact sensor).

Why should you invest in a HomeKit device?

Here are five reasons why you should invest in HomeKit-enabled devices:

Energy efficiency

HomeKit-enabled devices can offer energy efficiency opportunities. The Eve Energy Switch and Power Meter, for instance, lets you instantly see how much energy your devices are using and see their consumption at a glance over a set time. You can view graphs by week, day, or minute historically, with the accompanying Eve app being intelligent enough to forecast what your yearly electricity bill will be given your current usage. No more shock bills. Thanks to Bluetooth Smart, all Eve accessories are energy efficient enough to run on battery power (except for Eve Energy (Buy: UK, US) which obviously uses wall power).

Comfort

HomeKit-enabled devices are all about streamlining your day-to-day process, making life more automated and thus easier. The idea is you can not only make your home smart, but also make it just the way you like it. The accompanying free Eve app lets you seamlessly connect your devices, gain insights, build scenes, create automations and control your home right from your mobile device and even by voice commands.

Portability

While some HomeKit devices will involve bridges and installation, not all of them do. The Elgato Eve range for example, uses Bluetooth LE rather than Wi-Fi to connect directly to your phone or Apple TV.

That means you don’t have to invest in a starter kit or a costly installation, but also that you can easily move the devices around your home or take them with you when you move.

If you rent, it also means you don’t have to get permission to make your home smart. That’s especially handy when it comes to the Eve Thermo, the intelligent radiator thermostats that make individual radiators smart without having to call out a plumber.

All Eve devices can be installed in five minutes or less. Simply use the Eve companion app to connect an Eve device to your Home Wi-Fi network, then you can use Apple’s Home app in order to control it through Siri, as well as make it communicate and work with other devices. That’s it.

Siri control

One of the cool features about HomeKit is that is has been baked into Siri. Yep, you can simply tell Siri to turn your lights down, unlock your front door, or turn off a device plugged into the Eve Energy (Buy: UK, US), for example. There are a number of commands to give, and as you set up scenes, Siri automatically adapts. “Hey Siri, it’s movie night!”

Automation

Being able to control lights, plugs, and or check room temperatures from your phone is one thing, but where things get really clever is that HomeKit offers an array of automation options if you have an iPad or Apple TV 4 connected to your Wi-Fi network.

By doing so, HomeKit allows you to create a number of rules or triggers based on things that are happening in your system. That could be turning on devices when you get within a set distance of your house, or having something happen if a certain accessory is controlled. You can even go as far as automating things based on the time of day, giving you one rule for daytime and another for after hours.

Unlocked LG V20 costs $799 at B&H and Newegg, includes free LG G Pad

The LG V20 will be available unlocked from B&H and Newegg for $799. The phone will go up for pre-order starting October 19 at B&H, and all customers purchasing the phone will receive a 7-inch LG G Pad valued at $149 for free. The tablet has a 1200 x 800 display, Snapdragon 400, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB storage.

Newegg is now taking pre-orders for the phone, with deliveries expected to commence from November 11. The retailer will also throw in an ORICO Power Bank along with the LG G Pad for all customers purchasing the handset.

While the unlocked pricing is lower than the AT&T’s $829 price tag, it isn’t as enticing as T-Mobile’s $769 retail price. Both AT&T and T-Mobile are bundling a pair of $150 B&O BeoPlay H3 in-ear headphone for free, and they’re also offering a free tablet if you’re willing to buy the phone via monthly plans. If you go with AT&T’s Next plans, you get an LG G Pad X 10.1 for free. T-Mobile is giving out an LG G Pad X 8.0 or an LG G Pad to those buying the phone through its monthly plans. In-store sales kick off October 28 at both carriers.

Meanwhile, Verizon will kick off LG V20 orders starting October 20, with the phone slated for an in-store debut on October 27.

As for the phone itself, the LG V20 offers a 5.7-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 820, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, microSD slot, dual cameras at the back with a 16MP standard sensor and an 8MP lens for wide-angle shots, and a 3200mAh removable battery. The phone runs Nougat out of the box.

See at B&H See at Newegg

LG V20

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• LG unveils the V20
• LG V20 specs
• LG V20 vs. Galaxy Note 7
• Discuss the V20 in the forums!

Qualcomm’s X50 modem will make smartphone downloads lightning fast

Qualcomm has announced the world’s first 5G modem for smartphones, called the Snapdragon X50. The new chip is capable of download speeds of up to 5Gbps, which is crazily fast and nearly 400 times faster than the current average 4G download speed of 13.5mbps. The company has even said phones could theoretically access saved files in the cloud faster than from the phone’s internal flash storage.

Qualcomm has said it plans to send samples of the new chip to smartphone manufacturers by the of next year, and they should start appearing on the market in 2018.

But to take full advantage of the faster download speeds, mobile network providers need to install new 5G infrastructure. 5G works on the millimetre wave spectrum in the 28GHz band, but signal waves can’t be sent over long distances or travel through walls.

It means that instead of installing a few mobile network masts like the ones you see on top of tall buildings for coverage, several small-cell base stations will need to be installed, which will take some time.

• Best smartphones 2016: The best phones available to buy today

It’s likely we won’t see 5G take off in the UK until at least 2020, but South Korean network operator KT says it will launch the first 5G network in time for the 2018 Winter Olympics.