Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

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...

Sharing Your Location and ETA in Google Maps is Much Better Now

Tim October 18, 2018

In March, 2017, Google introduced real-time location sharing in Google Maps. The feature works fine and dandy, but apparently, Google thinks it can do better. In an update headed out to users this week, you'll see an improved experience when sharing your...

Verizon Pixel 3 Units Have to be Activated on Verizon First Before Heading to Another Carrier (Updated)

Kellen October 18, 2018

Thought about heading into Best Buy to buy a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL and then slapping a SIM card in from T-Mobile? You can't, even with the phones being capable of working on almost any network. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL sold as "Verizon" models are SIM locked...

RED Hydrogen One Hardware and Side-by-Side Size Comparisons [Gallery]

Tim October 18, 2018

We recently got our hands on a Hydrogen One from RED and I'm excited to check this thing out, to say the very least. I mean, there's a reason why many of the great Hollywood directors and YouTube personalities shoot with RED, right? While we're very limited in...

Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL First Factory Images are Available!

Kellen October 18, 2018

Google just posted the first factory image and OTA files for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Since today is basically launch day, the timing seems just about right. The files are available as Android 9.0.0 builds PD1A.180720.030 and PD1A.180720.031 for both phones...

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....

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More
Apple to Use Gemini to Power New Features on iPhone

Tim January 12, 2026

Google and Apple released a joint statement today, announcing a multi-year collab which will bring Gemini to Apple's...

Read More
Galaxy S25 Sales Going Up When It Should Be Going Down

Tim January 12, 2026

There's something funky going on with Samsung's Galaxy S25 series sales numbers. As one might imagine, after the first few...

Read More
Google Gave Your Gmail 3 Actually Useful Gemini Features for Free

Kellen January 8, 2026

Not that any of us expected Google to dial back on the Gemini push as we enter 2026, but I'm also not sure I anticipated them...

Read More
T-Mobile’s New “Better Value” Has Lots of Data and a 3-Line Requirement

Kellen January 7, 2026

T-Mobile announced its new Better Value plan with all of the data, included streaming perks, and a 3-line requirement. T-...

Read More

YouTube
Swipe

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...

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More
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,...

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More
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...

Read More