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
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.

Top Rated Comments

KazKam Avatar
145 months ago
Yeah, that's why I don't switch to an Android phone, because I'm worried about transferring my iCloud data. /s

o.O
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Someyoungguy Avatar
145 months ago
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.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
djtech42 Avatar
145 months ago
Have to admit this is a smart move
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kevinpdoyle Avatar
145 months ago
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 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.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Farplaner Avatar
145 months ago
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 :o
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solomani Avatar
145 months ago
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'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.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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