Technologies

Update Your LG Smartphone Now. Soon, You Won’t Be Able To

If you have an old LG phone, you’ll need to update it soon — LG stopped creating new smartphones in 2021 and is shutting down its update servers on June 30.

When LG left the smartphone industry in 2021, the company laid out a three-year plan to continue supporting customers with new updates for eligible phone models. While that support has continued for a little longer than the pledged time, LG is finally shutting down its smartphone update servers on June 30.

At the end of June, LG smartphones will no longer be able to install any new Android OS updates. This means you’ll be limited to the last version you downloaded before the servers were shut down.

Even if you’re downloading before the servers are discontinued, you can only upgrade to Android 12 or Android 13 and download any missing security patches, depending on your device.

LG is also shutting down the LG Bridge PC app. This software allows you to manage your phone’s contacts, images and videos on a desktop. More importantly, the app interfaces with LG smartphones to create data backups and install software updates. The LG Bridge software will also be sunsetted on June 30.

LG kept its phone update servers ‘past the typical use date’

Avi Greengart, a mobile analyst and president of Techsponential, says LG kept the lights on for a fairly long time in an environment in which consumers typically upgrade their devices every two or three years. Even so, he told CNET that today’s phones are being used longer than before — and they’re getting more support as well.

«Companies like Samsung are promising to update both the OS and security for up to eight years, which means that (those phones) will get new features long into the future,» Greengart said.

LG’s decision to end support for its smartphones will affect a «vanishingly small number of users,» according to Greengart. He advises that users upgrade their phones when they stop receiving security updates.

While many modern phones have outpaced the technology in older LG models, Greengart said that some customers hold onto their devices because of unique LG design traits like the rear fingerprint reader placement and dual-screen cover displays.

Greengart suggests that these customers look for alternatives that offer «secure face ID or fingerprint readers on the side power button» and «large fold phones from Samsung and Google in the US, along with Oppo and Honor in markets where those are sold.»

A representative for LG didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

You Can Easily Switch From an iPhone to an Android Phone. Here’s How

Transfer your texts, photos and more from Apple’s iOS to your new Android phone.

Making the big leap from an iPhone to an Android phone, you’ll find yourself with a pretty long checklist of things to do. Whether you’re transitioning to Google’s Pixel 7 or a new Samsung phone like the Galaxy Z Flip 4, switching operating systems can quickly become a hassle if you don’t know the most efficient way to move your data.

The secret to an easy-peasy transfer process lies with the tiny plastic adapter that Google and Samsung (sometimes) include in the box. It’s like hiring professional movers to move your stuff, unpack it and decorate your new house just like your old one! The adapter has a USB-A connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other that allows you to connect your new phone to your old iPhone. You can also use a USB-C to Lightning cable for newer phones like the iPhone 11.

With the adapter, you can transfer your photos, videos, files, music and wallpaper. You can even use it to automatically download any Android versions of free iOS apps you had on your old Apple phone. While iMessage, Apple’s messaging service, won’t work on an Android phone, you can even move your message history and threads to your new phone.

Switch from iPhone to a Google Pixel phone

If you’re switching specifically from an iPhone to a Google Pixel, the first thing you want to do is to charge up both phones. Next, you’re going to turn off iMessage across all of your Apple devices — any device that uses your AppleID. Go to Settings, then Messages and then toggle off iMessage.

If your new Pixel came with a SIM card, install it, turn the phone on and tap the Start button. Next, connect to a Wi-Fi network and then select Copy your data. Now unlock your old iPhone, and put your lighting power cable into the bottom. Then, plug the other end into the «magic adapter» which Google calls a Quick Switch Adapter (QSA). Finally, plug in the QSA into the Pixel. You can also use a USB-C to Lighting cable.

When prompted, tap Trust on your iPhone. Then sign into your Google Account on the Pixel. Next, choose what exactly you want to copy (photos, music, messages, etc.), then tap Copy.

Now it’s time for your Pixel to actually transfer everything. Depending on how much stuff you’re moving, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. While the transfer happens, you can continue setting up your phone like adding a PIN or setting up Google Assistant and Google Pay. Once the transfer completes, you’re done. Check to make sure everything you wanted to migrate actually did and enjoy your new Google life.

Switch from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy phone

If you got a new Samsung Galaxy phone, it also comes with an adapter, though you can move your data over Wi-Fi, too. I recommend using the adapter because it’s faster. You can also use a USB-C to Lighting cable to connect the two. Just like the Pixel transfer, the first thing you need to do is make sure both phones are charged up and turn off iMessage on your iPhone.

However, unlike the Pixel, you have the option to set up your Galaxy phone as new and then transfer the data which means you can start using your phone right away instead of waiting. To start the transfer, open the Smart Switch app on your Samsung phone. Your phone might take a minute to download the app.

Once you have it opened, you might be prompted to send or receive data. Tap Receive. Then, choose how you want to transfer: Wi-Fi or cable. Next, connect both phones with the adapter and your iPhone’s lightning cable — if you’re transferring over Wi-Fi, there’s no need to connect the phones together with a cable.

On the iPhone, tap Trust and on the Samsung phone you’ll see a message pop up that reads Connecting to your iPhone. If your iPhone uses encryption for backup, you might be prompted to enter your password. It should be your Apple ID password.

Next, the Samsung phone will scan your iPhone for data. This can take a few minutes after which you can choose exactly what kind of data you want to bring over. Then, tap the transfer arrow. The actual transfer can take a couple of minutes to an hour. Once it’s done, go through your new Samsung phone and check on your data. If you’re not finding your photos and videos in the Gallery app, check the Google Photos app.

Five surprises switching from iOS to Android and back again

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 20, #574

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 20 No. 574.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition included A’s, B’s and C’s as clues, which made the grid look kind of funny. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Golden State sports.

Green group hint: Beantown teams.

Blue group hint: Do you believe in miracles?

Purple group hint: Keep running.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: California baseball teams.

Green group: Shortened nicknames for Boston teams.

Blue group: Associated with the Miracle on Ice.

Purple group: World marathon majors.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is California baseball teams. The four answers are A’s, Angels, Giants and Padres.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is shortened nicknames for Boston teams. The four answers are B’s, C’s, Pats and Sox.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with the Miracle on Ice. The four answers are 1980, Brooks, hockey and Lake Placid.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is world marathon majors. The four answers are Berlin, Boston, Chicago and Tokyo.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, April 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 20

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I found this puzzle a nice, easy one, Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.