Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

New Google Home Device Stops at FCC, but What the Hell is It?

Kellen May 31, 2019

I don't know what exactly it is, but a new Google "media device" showed up at the FCC this morning with a model number that looks like it would fit nicely into the Google Home or Google Nest families of products. The device is listed under Google's FCC ID as...

Google Play’s Latest Redesign is Rolling Out, Brings That Bottom Bar Hotness

Tim May 31, 2019

The latest redesign for Google Play is now hitting user devices, spotted by the fantastic folks over on reddit. The major change is the addition of a bottom bar for navigation. There are dedicated sections for Games, Apps, Movies, and Books. Previously, these...

#TBT: 8pen is Just as Painful in 2019 as It Was in 2010

Tim May 30, 2019

If you have been following Android for a while, then maybe you'll remember 8pen. The app was a keyboard replacement, but unlike Swype or SwiftKey, 8pen was a complete reimagining of what we know as a keyboard. 8pen used gestures and swipes for input, and after...

Google Maps Can Now Show You Photos of Popular Dishes at Restaurants

Tim May 30, 2019

I heard a long time ago that if you go to a restaurant and there are pictures of food on the menu, don't expect anything life changing to come out of that kitchen. In direct opposition of this, Google is making an effort to turn restaurant menus into a very...

Not Back: Galaxy Note 10 Reportedly Ditches Headphone Jack, All Buttons

Kellen May 30, 2019

It never fails, guys. This never-ending saga of the world hating Kellen by providing the opposite of what I hope will happen, continues. Just this morning, I talked about how the smartphone world appeared to be warming back up to the idea of the headphone jack...

Plex Update Exits Beta, Brings Refreshed UI and Picture-in-Picture

Tim May 30, 2019

Plex announced that an update featuring a refreshed UI and new features has exited beta for Android users and is now rolling out. Inside, the updated look offers a new video UI, the same as what's available currently for music playback. In addition, folks...

Silly Name and US Unavailability Aside, the $245 Meizu 16Xs Looks Impressive

Tim May 30, 2019

Meizu, a company we hardly ever discuss because their phones are not readily available in the US, has me wishing just a little bit that America and China were getting along. With pre-orders up in certain markets and priced at around $245 is the Meizu 16Xs, a...

Sprint Launches Mobile 5G Network in 4 Markets

Tim May 30, 2019

Sprint's mobile 5G network goes live today in four markets: Atlanta, Dallas-Forth Worth, Houston, and Kansas City. In the coming weeks, Sprint says it will also launch in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, and Washington DC. Once those nine markets...

Galaxy Z TriFold In US Samsung Stores Tomorrow, But You Can’t Buy It

Tim January 22, 2026

Galaxy Z TriFold launch is literally right around the corner, with units headed to select Samsung Experience Stores across...

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What’s Your Carrier’s Device Unlock Policy: T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T

Kellen January 21, 2026

One of the hottest topics of the moment for the US wireless industry is device unlock policies or SIM unlock policies. With...

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Verizon Wastes No Time Switching Device Unlock Policy to 365 Days

Kellen January 20, 2026

When the FCC cleared Verizon of its 60-day device unlock policy a week ago, we talked about how the government agency, which...

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Samsung Makes New Bixby Official in One UI 8.5 With Perplexity AI

Kellen January 20, 2026

The betas of One UI 8.5, as well as supposedly leaked screenshots, showed a potentially renewed investment in Bixby from...

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How to Claim the $20 Verizon Outage Credit

Kellen January 15, 2026

Verizon announced today that it would give all of its customers a $20 credit after experiencing a 10-hour outage yesterday....

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 Just Released for Pixel Phones

Kellen January 14, 2026

Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 for all of its still-supported Pixel phones, tablets, and foldables. After...

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Google Just Gave Gemini “Personal Intelligence”

Kellen January 14, 2026

Google's Gemini now has Personal Intelligence and can reason across your data, assuming you give it access. For AI as an...

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2026 January Pixel Update Available for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen January 12, 2026

We've entered 2026 and the first Google Pixel update of the year is here. For those with a still-supported Pixel phone or...

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Google’s Latest Ad Pokes at iPhone for Copying Its Features, iPhone 17 Rumors

Kellen May 6, 2025

The iPhone 17 won't arrive for months, likely after Google releases its Pixel 10 series. For the most part, all talk around...

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Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023

Some of you have been lucky enough to receive your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro pre-orders a day early, thanks to Google's wildly...

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Pixel Watch 2 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023

The Pixel Watch 2 has been on my wrist for a full week and my list of notes has only grown. I've tested sleep tracking, put...

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Video: Galaxy Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5 Unboxing!

Tim July 27, 2023

Samsung was gracious enough to send us its latest foldables devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Naturally,...

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Google Pixel 7a Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen May 10, 2023

Because the Google Pixel 7a is available today for you to run out and buy at $499, you may not want to wait around for our...

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VIDEO: Galaxy S23 Ultra Unboxing!

Tim February 3, 2023

Unboxing time, baby! We have the Galaxy S23 Ultra in-house, a bit before they're set to make their way to buyers later this...

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Pixel 7 Pro: First 10 Things to Do!

Tim October 13, 2022

Fancy new Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro just show up at your doorstep? Perfect, then this video is for you. As is tradition, we've...

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Pixel Watch: First 10 Things To Do!

Kellen October 13, 2022

The day that most of you will receive your Google Pixel Watch from pre-orders is here. It's time for you to slap Google's...

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