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Motorola Hopes to Lure iPhone Owners to Moto X with New iCloud Data Migration Tool

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Google's Motorola arm is attempting to streamline the process for iPhone users to switch to its flagship Moto X device by enabling it to extract contacts and calendar events from iCloud backup files. The new tool was announced yesterday by Motorola vice president of product manamgenet Punit Soni on Google+ (via GigaOM).

motorola_icloud_service.png
The service, which also has an official support page, is powered by syncing service Mark/Space and is done through Motorola's MotoMaker web service, which allows users to customize the color and details of a Moto X device. The iCloud transfer service can be intiatied after a user has bought a Moto X from MotoMaker and selects the "I have an iPhone" option from within the Migrate feature, and transfers the data to a Google Account after the user has signed into their iCloud acocount.

Addressing the new iCloud migration tool, Soni notes that "There is a long way to go, but its a start", which may indicate that the transfer service will see updates in the future.

Motorola originally announced the Moto X in August, with the device including a number of features such as a 720p AMOLED display and Touchless Control via Google Now integration. In February, handset manufacturer HTC launched a similar service for iPhone owners switching to the HTC One, but offered data migration direct from iPhone backups, which transfers more data compared to Motorola's iCloud sync service.

Article Link: Motorola Hopes to Lure iPhone Owners to Moto X with New iCloud Data Migration Tool
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/10/17/motorola-hopes-to-lure-iphone-owners-to-moto-x-with-new-icloud-data-migration-tool/
Interesting...

The reason many Apple users stick with Apple is, I imagine, due to Apple's ecosystem that simply works. Motorola/Google is using this to their advantage.

With Google's ecosystem that, like iOS, syncs contacts, calendars, todos, notes, documents, etc. across devices, Apple may have to try a little harder to keep us Apple fans with them. ;)
 
This is really nice actually, if only google made an app for your phone that could sync everything with iCloud. I like to have my notes in sync etc and Apples solution I prefer over more complicated apps like evernote
 
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o_O
 
I agree, although I think my main reason that I stay is iMessage. I love the ability to send high resolution photos and video. The notification that someone is replying is very useful as well, it saves me time from sending a text and putting my phone back into my pocket, only to pull it out seconds later. Might sound small but I work in a profession where I wear nitrile gloves and or get my hands dirty... So again it's a super feature!
 
When they make it iTunes compatible, then I *might* take a look. Until then they can continue to hope.

I have too much invested in iTunes music to switch to another platform.
 
Well I don't think this is a big deal since contact and calendar can be synced easily across platforms. On the other hand, if google were to, say, let you re-download all your apps purchased on the app store on from its play store without repurchasing, things could get really interesting. Sadly that will never happen as developers won't allow it.
 
KazKam said:
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o_O
Click to expand...

I'm sure that for the majority of people who prefer iOS over Android to begin with, among the Top Ten Reasons.... "Because I desperately gotta have my iCloud!" is simply not one of them.
 
I found it interesting that they just plain ask for your icloud username and password. If this wasn't Motorola it would basically be a security risk :eek:
 
I actually don't really use iCloud. I use Gmail for my contacts and calendar on my iPhone, so if I were to ever switch to Android it would be really easy.

The big problem would be re-buying all of my apps. :(
 
I plan on moving to Android next year (June) probably not the Moto X but maybe the Nexus 5. I already use Google for mail but I still use iCloud for calendar, and contacts. Maybe when I get closer to my upgrade I'll start slowly moving my stuff to google (Music, contacts, calendar)
 
I'm not necessarily saying this will make people want to switch, but it's a very nice and useful feature for Moto to add. Smart.
 
KazKam said:
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o_O
Click to expand...

I doubt this is aimed at tech board readers so much as people who were on the fence about switching but don't want to deal with the hassle of transferring from one OS to the other. This is for the casual phone user and not the pro user.
 
kevinpdoyle said:
I doubt this is aimed at tech board readers so much as people who were on the fence about switching but don't want to deal with the hassle of transferring from one OS to the other. This is for the casual phone user and not the pro user.
Click to expand...

I still don't understand how people on these forums think Apple specifically caters to them.

I guarantee Apple makes the MAJORITY of their money from "average users". Those who just do basic things on their devices. The ones who would rather stick with one service and don't know how to manage multiple accounts.
 
KazKam said:
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o_O
Click to expand...

It's a concern for less tech savy people.

----------
WhackyNinja said:
I plan on moving to Android next year (June) probably not the Moto X but maybe the Nexus 5. I already use Google for mail but I still use iCloud for calendar, and contacts. Maybe when I get closer to my upgrade I'll start slowly moving my stuff to google (Music, contacts, calendar)
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat. Have to do the full transition. Just makes more sense to use Google services since they are much easier to access from any device anywhere.

I need to flip my contacts, calendars and notes over to gmail from icloud.

----------
Madmic23 said:
I actually don't really use iCloud. I use Gmail for my contacts and calendar on my iPhone, so if I were to ever switch to Android it would be really easy.

The big problem would be re-buying all of my apps. :(
Click to expand...

At least a lot more of them are free which would make it a bit easier. Problem is Android doesn't have one key app for me which is Mailbox. If they get this or add similar functions to gmail I'm all aboard the Android train.
 
keithers24 said:
I agree, although I think my main reason that I stay is iMessage. I love the ability to send high resolution photos and video. The notification that someone is replying is very useful as well, it saves me time from sending a text and putting my phone back into my pocket, only to pull it out seconds later. Might sound small but I work in a profession where I wear nitrile gloves and or get my hands dirty... So again it's a super feature!
Click to expand...

WhatsApp? And works cross-platform?
 
Motorola Hopes to Lure iPhone Owners' data into Worlds Largest Advertising Company database with New iCloud Data Migration Tool.

T;FTFY. :p
 
newyorksole said:
I still don't understand how people on these forums think Apple specifically caters to them.

I guarantee Apple makes the MAJORITY of their money from "average users". Those who just do basic things on their devices. The ones who would rather stick with one service and don't know how to manage multiple accounts.
Click to expand...

That isn't what I was saying at all.

I was saying that the service Motorola/Google is offering may not be something people on these forums are interested but is probably something the average phone user IS interested in because it gives them piece of mind via a seamless process.
 
sethlution said:
Well I don't think this is a big deal since contact and calendar can be synced easily across platforms. On the other hand, if google were to, say, let you re-download all your apps purchased on the app store on from its play store without repurchasing, things could get really interesting. Sadly that will never happen as developers won't allow it.
Click to expand...

Totally agree! This option is only useful for some very-very light iOs users, haven't invested much in iOs eco-system
 
I tried switching, and now I'm happily back, and it wasn't because of missing iCloud synch. They still need to solve photo and iTunes music synch, device backups that are thorough and reliable, and lots of usability issue with Android.
 
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