Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Essential Continues to Show Other OEMs How Updates are Supposed to be Done

Tim February 4, 2019

Should you care about timely updates, there are only a couple of Android makers you should be buying from. Technically, there's only one, because one of the companies doesn't make phones currently, but we've already discussed that at length. Anyway, we're...

The Huge Change Included in February’s Android Update

Kellen February 4, 2019

Big things are happening in this month's Android security update, guys. Google is referring to it as a quarterly update and has said that it contains "many functional updates and improvements to various parts of the Android platform and supported Pixel devices...

Nest Guard Picks Up Google Assistant Functionality

Tim February 4, 2019

Starting this week, Nest is adding Google Assistant functionality to its Nest Guard product, the brains of its Nest Secure system. Announced in late 2017, Nest Guard is a keypad-featuring hub that should typically sit right by your front door. That means it's...

February 2019 Android Security Update Goes Live for Pixel Devices

Kellen February 4, 2019

Google just released the February 2019 Android security patch for Pixel devices. It appears that we already have both factory image and OTA files ready to be downloaded for those willing to do some manual labor, or as always, you can sit back and wait for the...

OnePlus Seemingly Out of New Software Ideas, Asks Customers for Theirs

Tim February 4, 2019

Do you have the next great smartphone software idea bouncing around in your noggin? If so, OnePlus would very much like to hear it. Thanks to a new contest the company is running, OnePlus is accepting any idea for software features you may have. If you have a...

Google Releases Two New Apps: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier

Kellen February 4, 2019

Google dropped two new apps on us this morning, both of which should help deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The apps are called Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier, and they are available right now for download. The names for the apps explain pretty well what...

T-Mobile has Free Tacos for You

Kellen February 3, 2019

T-Mobile Tuesdays got a big boost on this fine Super Bowl Sunday, thanks to a new partnership with Taco Bell. Every Tuesday, starting February 5, you'll get a free taco (Soft Taco or Crunchy Taco) as a T-Mobile customer. How do you get free Taco Bell tacos for...

Cool if Real: Supposed Gmail Leak Shows Incoming Inbox Features

Kellen February 2, 2019

You guys know that when Inbox is officially retired in about a month, I may retire from tech for good and go back to a flip phone. I can't stand Gmail after using Inbox since the day it was released over four years ago. The transition away is going to be rough...

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025

A small fixer update is rolling out to Google Pixel devices, labeled as Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1. It doesn't appear to be...

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Pixel 10 Pro XL at $400 Off is Crazy Stuff

Kellen December 22, 2025

Last minute shoppers, the greatest Pixel 10 Pro deal in history is here at the perfect time. You can take up to $400 off the...

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Google Decides That Google Assistant Can Stick Around a Bit Longer, Pushes Gemini Switch to 2026

Kellen December 19, 2025

You may have forgotten the timeline, but Google was pushing to force all off of Google Assistant and onto Gemini by the end...

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What’s New in Android 16 QPR3 Beta: At a Glance, Flashlight, Navigation Buttons, More

Kellen December 18, 2025

Google may have released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 at the worst possible time of the day, but we're still going to dive into it...

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta Program Goes Live for Pixel Devices

Kellen December 17, 2025

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 released. Google shipped Android 16 QPR2 to stable channels this month as the December Pixel update,...

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Verizon Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 Devices Get New December Update (Updated)

Kellen December 17, 2025

All of Google's still-supported Pixel devices received a huge QPR2 update in early December with new features and tons of bug...

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Google Makes Controversial Pixel Search Bar Change

Kellen December 17, 2025

Within the past several days, a group of Pixel owners noticed a change to the way the Search bar at the bottom of their Pixel...

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Samsung December Updates Continue Roll Out to All These Devices

Kellen December 17, 2025

Samsung started sending December updates to a batch of devices earlier in the week, but they weren't quite done with 2025....

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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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