Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

That Was Quick: Essential Already Pushing May Security Update

Tim May 7, 2018 32

Google dropped the May security patch about an hour ago, but already, Essential Phones are receiving the update via OTA. Listed as build OPM1.180104.166, nothing besides the update to the May patch is listed in the changelog, but provided this is happening so...

JBL Link Bar is an Android TV-Powered Soundbar, Launches This Fall

Tim May 7, 2018 17

Ahead of tomorrow's #IO2018 kickoff, Google and JBL have announced Link Bar, an Android TV-powered soundbar with a healthy amount of ports on its backside and all of the features you'd expect from a set-top box running Android. Said to be available this fall,...

May’s Android Security Update Goes Live for Nexus, Pixel Devices

Kellen May 7, 2018 56

Google just dropped the May 2018 security patch for Nexus and Pixel devices on us. If that seems odd to you knowing that Android P Developer Preview 2 is probably coming tomorrow, try not to stress. Google (almost) always drops each month's security patch on...

Android Things Hits 1.0 as Devices From LG, JBL, and Lenovo Ready for Launch

Kellen May 7, 2018 1

Google's IoT platform, also known as Android Things, reached v1.0 today ahead of Google I/O. With the launch of Android Things 1.0, we're now at the point where the platform is ready for production devices, like Smart Displays. Google said today in a blog post...

Fitbit Launches Female Health Tracking, Quick Replies for Versa and Ionic

Tim May 7, 2018 3

Starting this week, Fitbit users have access to two new features previously announced by the company. Inside of the Fitbit app, you'll find tracking for female health, as well as quick replies for messaging on Versa and Ionic devices. For female health...

LG’s New Wear OS Watch Hit the FCC Today

Kellen May 7, 2018 28

We're only hours away from Google I/O kicking off and a new Wear OS watch from LG just showed up at the FCC. Is this the rumored hybrid Wear OS device from LG that's both regular timepiece and smartwatch? Under model number LM-W315, the giveaway that this is...

You Can Now Set Your Android Phone’s Assistant Default to Use Alexa Instead of Google Assistant

Kellen May 7, 2018 18

I'd imagine there are a few of you out there who purchased a bunch of Amazon Echo devices out of the gate instead of Google Home, since Echo had such a head start on Google's smart speakers. And if that's the case, you might want quicker access to Amazon Alexa...

Weekly Recap: AndroidQ isQ FunQ

Kellen May 4, 2018 2

What happened in Android this week? Oh, a couple of things. T-Mobile and Sprint decided to merge. LG announced the G7 ThinQ. HTC told us when their new phone was coming. Google announced a bunch of stuff before Google I/O, which is next week. Samsung and...

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

Kellen December 18, 2025 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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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Galaxy Z TriFold Sells Out Quick in South Korea, Even With High Price Tag

Tim December 12, 2025 2

We shouldn't be surprised, folks. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z TriFold this week in its home country of South Korea, with in...

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YouTube TV Will Offer 10 Genre-Specific Plans in 2026

Tim December 10, 2025 2

More choice and more flexibility. That's what everyone has been clamoring for lately. If you'll recall, YouTube TV used to be...

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December Pixel Watch Update Rolls Out to Pixel Watch 2 and Above

Kellen December 9, 2025 2

Google announced new features for the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 this morning, but didn't tell us exactly how those...

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

Kellen May 6, 2025 32

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 32

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 32

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 32

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 32

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 32

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 32

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 32

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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