iOS 9 Features & Release Date: Apple Launches Move to iOS App to Help Android Users Switch Platforms

iOS 9

Apple recently launched the latest version of its iOS platform along with a new app specifically designed for Android users.

Dubbed as Move to iOS, the Cupertino-based tech firm's latest app helps Android device users switch easily to gadgets running on the iOS operating system.

According to the app's description posted on Google Play, Move to iOS eliminates the need for users to save content from their Android handset into a different device before transferring it into an iPhone or iPad.

Instead, the app works by prompting an Apple device to establish a private Wi-Fi network. Through this network, the device will then look for an operational and nearby Android handset.

Once a connection has been made between the two devices, the app will require the user to enter a 10-digit security code. This can be obtained from the device or through the iPhone setup option.

It will then begin transferring data such as message history, videos and photos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars and contacts from the Android device into the user's Apple handset.

The app will also notify users if certain files were not successfully transferred. And, to further promote the use of an iPhone or iPad, Move to iOS will even suggest users to turn in their old Android device at a local Apple Store to be recycled, according to 9to5Mac.

The app has a size of 2.6M and can be used on Android version 4.0 and up. This means it will work even for the old Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

As for Apple latest operating system, iOS 9 comes with new features designed to improve the platform's user interface. One of this is an updated version of Siri, the company's virtual personal assistant, Wired reported.

Aside from assisting users through a variety of new features like CarPlay and Homekit, Siri also has a Proactive mode which enables the virtual assistant to predict and execute common smartphone activities.

Based on a variety of factors such as location and time, Siri will be able to launch apps and other various functions that users regularly open. For instance, if the user always launches the music app every time he or she hops aboard the subway train, Siri's Proactive mode will take note of this. So, the next time the user takes the train, the virtual assistant will automatically open the app even without being told to do so.