AppleInsider Staff
An inspection of code in Apple's "Move to iOS" migration tool for Android users, its first app for Google's mobile operating system, reveals the title might be a simple rebranding of software already on offer in the Google Play Store.
Following the launch of Move to iOS on Wednesday, Android-centric blog Phandroid downloaded and unpacked the app to discover what is basically a rebadged version of migration software developed by UK firm Media Mushroom.
Called Copy My Data, Media Mushroom's app can currently be found on the Google Play Store. The developer also fields a sister app in the iOS App Store called Device Switch, which reverses the migration procedure from iOS to Android. Move to iOS is a basic migration assistant that "securely transfers your contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars," Apple says.
According to the publication, Move to iOS and Copy My Data share chunks of code. In many cases Apple left Media Mushroom's original com.mediamushroom.copymydata code strings intact and didn't change the Android package name from android:name="com.mediamushroom.copymydata". In essence, Apple gutted out the original's graphics, replaced it with Move to iOS art and tacked on licensing agreement text.
Apple most likely purchased usage rights from Media Mushroom, a service the UK developer advertises on its website, Phandroid notes. It seems, then, the title of "Apple's first Android app" will go to Apple Music when it launches later this year.
In light of the findings, and assuming Move to iOS is indeed a rebranded version of Copy My Data, Android users have yet to experience a true Apple app offering. Ironically, since its release Move to iOS has been the subject of intense ridicule on the Google Play Store, where it's received thousands of one-star reviews.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
34 Comments
It's interesting that the original app has a 4 star rating on Google Play, but when you put Apple's name is on it the reviews are considerably worse. It's almost as if Android users are being irrational, rash, and emotional. [LIST][*] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediamushroom.copymydata&hl=en [/LIST] At least one person gave Media Mushroom a heads up about Apple's [I]nefarious[/I] actions: Josh Thrasher — "So apple stole your stuff The new Apple "move to ios" app kanged your app and even left the original package name in the manifest... Just so you know." LOL [QUOTE]The developer also fields a sister app in the iOS App Store called Device Switch, which reverses the migration procedure from iOS to Android. [/QUOTE] Now we know Apple will allow this sort of app. edit: Those comments! So much hate. So many lies. Very entertaining.
"Ironically, since its release 'Move to iOS' has been the subject of intense ridicule on the Google Play Store, where it's received thousands of one-star reviews." At last they get it... they finally get it!
Ironically, since its release Move to iOS has been the subject of intense ridicule on the Google Play Store, where it's received thousands of one-star reviews.
Apple does not need to bother. Thousands of people migrating to an iPhone is good for them. And these people certainly did move, how else would they have tested and rated that app .
I heard the 5 star reviewers are kicking the fandroid's a**es!! Wish I could read the reviews. There was an article that posted some. It was good.
Android weenies!