Google wants to help iPhone owners switch to Pixel with new video tutorial

If you are an iPhone user, but have heard of these new Android phones from Google called the Pixel and Pixel XL, you might be tempted to switch your allegiance and get one of these new Android 7.1 Nougat devices. Google has you covered with a new video that shows iPhone users how they can make the move to one of the new Pixel phones.

See also: Google Pixel XL initial review171

As posted on Google's official YouTube channel, the video shows how iPhone users can connect their Pixel first to a local Wi-Fi network, and then they connect the old iPhone to the new Pixel physically to start the transfer of content. The video itself is meant to be played on an iPhone, so if you are watching it on a tablet or PC, you may notice some black bars on either side.

Google has also posted a longer video which goes over the basic features of the new Pixel phones, and again you may notice black bars if you view it on anything other than a smartphone. Both videos have the same warm and inviting narrator offering instructions and tips, so even the novice smartphone owners should be able to get up to speed with their new Pixel in a short amount of time

If you are new to the Pixel or Pixel XL, or to smartphones in general, did these two new videos get you ready to use your new phone from Google?

Get it at Google Store

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Batman: The Telltale Series Episode 1 now available for free for Android

Android gamers have been waiting patiently for Telltale Games to launch its highly anticipated Batman episodic series on their platform. Today, Telltale finally launched episode one of Batman: The Telltale Series, and it can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.

See also: Check out TellTale's BATMAN trailer2

Fans of the Dark Knight superhero will be able to check out the action-adventure series starting with episode one, Realm of Shadows. The series puts a lot of emphasis on Batman's alter-ego, billionaire Bruce Wayne, and the player has to make choices as both Batman and Wayne that could have far-reaching consequences in later episodes as he fights crime in Gotham City. Of course, many of Batman's supporting cast and villains are in Telltale's series, such as Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman and more.

While gamers can choose to play Batman: The Telltale Series as a standard adventure game, it also contains an all-new feature from Telltale called Crowd Play. Basically, you go online and allow other people to vote on which decision you make next in the game. It's an interesting take on multiplayer.

Keep in mind that this is just the first episode; iOS, PC and console owners have already been able to check out the next two parts of this series. There's no word on when Android gamers will be able to download and play the remaining Batman episodes. When they are available, gamers will be able to purchase them in the app itself, or get all four remaining parts at a discount as part of a Season Pass.

If you have downloaded and played the first episode of Batman: The Telltale Series, did you end up enjoying this new take on the Dark Knight? Did you also use the Crowd Play feature and if so, what do you think of this twist on online multiplayer?

Get it at Google Play

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Google Allo v2.0 rolling out with multi-window support, direct reply from notifications

Google Allo, Google's new smart messaging app, is getting an update to version 2.0 today.

The biggest new feature in this update is support for multi-window mode for folks who are running Android 7.0 Nougat and above. With Allo v2.0, users will be able to chat in one window while also working with another app on the same screen. It was quite odd that Allo launched without this functionality, but we're happy it's here now.

See also: Google Allo: Everything you need to know35

Also new in this update is support for Direct Replies from the notification shade, which was also a feature first introduced in Android 7. Now when you receive an Allo message, you can simply swipe down on the notification, hit reply, and you'll be able to send a message without having to jump into the app.

Google Allo now supports multitasking in #AndroidNougat. Chat in split-screen and reply directly from notifications: https://t.co/xBY4GlVPpd http://pic.twitter.com/8j05HjEBtz

— Nexus (@googlenexus) October 26, 2016

All in all, this seems to be a pretty handy update for Google Allo, especially if you are using Android 7.0 or 7.1. No, it doesn't come with SMS support, a desktop client, or any other major new features we've all been asking for, but we have to start somewhere, right? Keep in mind that this update has just started rolling out so it may take a little while to reach your phone.

What do you think of these improvements? Will the addition of multitasking make you use the app more? Let us know your thoughts and impressions in the comments.

Get it at Google Play

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Latest Todoist update brings multi-window support for Android 7.0, In Apps search and more

Fans of the popular mobile to-do list app Todoist will be happy to hear that a pretty big update is rolling out now in the Google Play Store. The update adds a number of features that have been previously tested in the Todoist Beta channel.

See also: The best to do list apps for Android35

According to Android Police, the new update will add multi-window support for folks running Android 7.0 Nougat or above, allowing users to work while also using another app on the same screen. Nougat users will also be able to use the app's Quick Reply to comments feature for tasks from the notification shade.

Also, if you happen to own the new Google Pixel or Pixel XL (or have the new Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview on your Nexus device), this new Todoist version can take advantage of the new app shortcuts feature found in the OS update. Also, Todoist now supports Google's recently-announced In Apps feature.

Again, all these feature are already available to beta testers, and you can apply for the program here. Otherwise, if you don't mind waiting a little while, you can simply wait until the Todoist update for the non-beta version makes its way to all users starting this week.

Get it at Google Play

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 banned from flights in China, starting October 27th

As if numerous flight bans imposed on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 around the world weren't enough, China is now taking action to bar bringing the phone onboard airline flights as well.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced today that, starting October 27th (tomorrow), it will no longer allow passengers to board aircraft in the country while carrying the Galaxy Note 7. The ban is obviously part of efforts to ensure the safety of passengers from the device's defective battery which has been linked to a number of accidents where the Note 7 has overheated and caught on fire.

See also: Galaxy Note 7 recall: what you need to know (Note 7 officially discontinued)453

CAAC previously moved to outlaw using and charging the handset aboard flights from China on September 14, following the first recall of the device. China's decision to ban the Galaxy Note 7 from airline flights completely is a logical next step following Samsung's move to discontinue the global production of the phablet. This move should also help convince Note 7 owners to return their potentially hazardous phones, if Samsung's rollout of a battery-limiting update to the handset won't suffice.

See also: You can now exchange the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in airports14

Previously, the United States government prohibited taking the Note 7 onboard all US airline flights in response to the threats from the phone's battery, and so it was really only a matter of time before more regions followed suit. What are your thoughts about the rising number of flight bans on the Galaxy Note 7? Anyone out there still clinging on to the Note 7 despite the recall?

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These side-by-side comparisons make a strong point for bezel-less devices

The just revealed Xiaomi Mi MIX generated a ton of internet buzz, thanks to its borderless display that allows for the large-screened device to take up a smaller overall footprint. But how does this new display design work when the Mi MIX is compared to other Android phones?

See also: Watch Hugo Barra unbox and explain the Mi MIX and Mi Note 222

The folks at Swedroid have decided to do just that, as they compare and contrast the bezel-less concept phone. The Xiaomi Mi MIX has a 6.4-inch screen but, as you can see from the image below, the actual size of the phone is not much bigger than the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, with its 5.5-inch screen, or the Galaxy S6 edge+ with its larger 5.7-inch display.

The difference in phone size is even more evident when you compare the Mi MIX to the Samsung Galaxy Mega, which has a 6.3-inch display. Yet, the Xiaomi Mi MIX has a larger display but yet the overall size of the phone's casing is much smaller than the Galaxy Mega.

You can check out more phone size comparisons between the Xiaomi Mi MIX and other smartphones on Swedroid. The phone itself is slated to go on sale in China on November 4 for RMB 3,499 (~$516) for the 4GB of RAM version with 128GB of internal storage and RMB 3,999 (~$590) for a 6GB of RAM/256GB/18 karat gold version. The company considers the phone to still be a concept device, and as such it does not have plans to release it outside of China.

Do you think the bezel-less display on the Mi MIX should be adopted by other future smartphone companies?

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Leaked product page confirms even more Samsung Chromebook Pro details

By some fortuitous incident, Samsung leaked details of the upcoming Chromebook Pro a few weeks ago. But the Korean tech giant was quick to realize its misstep and immediately took down the product page, much to our chagrin. Thanks to ChromeUnboxed, we now have a new glimpse of all the information about the convertible again.

See also: The best Chromebooks42

ChromeUnboxed managed to reconstruct the lost landing page unofficially, confirming the key features of the Samsung Chromebook Pro. As we already know, the transformer laptop is 12.9mm thick when closed and the device weighs 1.08kg. It has a screen resolution of 2400 × 1600, with a QHD-class HD display and a 3:2 screen ratio.

Other details also seem to confirm what we already know. The convertible laptop has a 360-degree rotating screen that can take the form of a tablet when folded all the way back. The device will still be pre-loaded with the ArtCanvas app. There's still the stylus PEN, which closely resembles the S Pen in Samsung's Galaxy Note line of phablets.

The reconstructed site also confirms the presence of a keyboard with curved keycaps and the battery that is supposed to keep the device working for up to 10 hours. Samsung also keeps beating the drum with mentions of regular security updates for the Chrome OS plus a range of new features coming with the Chromebook Pro. Of course, the device will be fully compatible with Android apps out of the box even without an internet connection.

See also: How to run Android apps on your Chromebook22

While we've recently covered much of the details about the Chromebook Pro, it's another thing to find a recreated outline of the now defunct product page. With that in mind, feel free to sift through the Chromebook Pro's landing page with the images below.

Thoughts? Are you excited to get your hands on the new Chromebook Pro?

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