Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Heads-Up: You Can Still Type in Google Assistant Even if the Keyboard Button Disappeared

Kellen October 22, 2018

Google Assistant picked up a keyboard input option well over a year ago, giving those of use who may not like talking out loud to Google a way to get help with daily tasks. In a recent update (possibly just in a Google app beta build), for whatever reason, the...

Here’s How to Get a Free Week of Service to YouTube TV After Last Week’s Outage

Kellen October 22, 2018

YouTube and YouTube TV had a rough October 16, where services were down for hours before being fully restored. The timing was extra awful for sports fans, as the 16th marked the beginning of the NBA season and also featured MLB league championship games....

Razer Phone 2 Review: This is What a Sequel Should Be

Tim October 22, 2018

Razer Phone 2 is a direct followup to last year's original Razer Phone. Honestly, I wasn't expecting Razer to release a sequel so quickly, considering the company is very new to the smartphone game, but here we are and you aren't going to hear me complaining...

Floating Keyboard Now Available in Gboard Beta

Kellen October 20, 2018

Back in September, Google briefly activated a floating and movable keyboard within their Gboard app. It didn't last long and was quickly removed, but we assumed it would be back before long. It has now returned for good, we think. In the latest Gboard beta...

Verizon Stops SIM Locking Pixel 3 and 3 XL for Now

Kellen October 19, 2018

The SIM locking of Verizon Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL saga will be no more. Verizon reached out to us this afternoon to update us on the situation, telling us that they have temporarily removed the lock on devices, including those sold at Best Buy stores. To back...

Unsympathetic Apple Forces OnePlus to Bump 6T Launch Up to October 29

Tim October 19, 2018

All OnePlus wanted to do was show off its greatest phone ever on October 30. But no, big bad Apple had to come and ruin everything! This week, Apple announced it has an event planned for October 30, which just so happens to be the unveiling date for the...

Podcast: Pixel 3 Review!

Kellen October 19, 2018

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're running through our review of the Google Pixel 3! We have had the phone in house for almost two weeks now, put it through plenty of testing, and want to talk more about it on the show. In addition to Pixel 3 chat,...

Here’s the Verizon Carrier Lock Removal Message Pixel 3 Devices Will See (Updated)

Kellen October 19, 2018

The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, two phones that are fully capable of working on every major carrier without issue, are SIM locked out of the box when purchased as a "Verizon" model. That means they are locked to Verizon because Verizon says they have a...

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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