Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Google Appears Ready to Turn Android Messages Into Android’s iMessage

Kellen February 9, 2018 46

Back in August, a reliable source of ours told us that Android Messages would gain a web portal, just like Allo's, that you would access via QR code. We assumed that Google would have launched it by now (that was 6 months ago), but only yesterday, the folks at...

DEAL: Essential Phone Drops to $449 at Amazon, 360 Camera to $50

Kellen February 9, 2018 14

Friday is here and so is the first good deal of the day. Amazon has dropped the price of the Essential Phone from $499.99 to $449.99. That may not be the biggest price cut in history, but you have to remember that the phone is already heavily discounted to $...

Here’s DeX Pad, the Dock That Turns Your Galaxy Phone Into a Touchpad

Tim February 8, 2018 10

Over the last few months, we learned Samsung was readying a new DeX product, one that could turn your smartphone, namely the upcoming Galaxy S9, into a touchpad for whatever monitor you have hooked up to the dock. Thanks to @evleaks, we're now getting our...

Here are the New Emoji You Can Expect in 2018

Tim February 8, 2018 5

Unicode announced its list of new emoji for 2018, and thanks to Emojipedia, we're getting an idea of how they may shape up when released by the various OEMs who create their own interpretations. The highlights from the new list include a llama, toolbox, salt...

Android Feature Request: Let Us “User-Initiate” App Updates on Google Play, Just Like System Updates

Kellen February 8, 2018 18

The introduction of staged rollouts for Android apps is probably my least favorite Android happening in the history of covering this industry. While I'm fully aware of the reasoning for them to exist (act as a test group, catch bugs early before everyone gets...

Google Assistant Coming to Chrome OS, Hotword and All

Tim February 8, 2018 5

Thanks to the digging of XDA, we're learning this week that Google is working to bring Google Assistant to Chrome OS. While Assistant is already present on Google's Pixelbook, this move would allow all Chrome OS users to utilize the company's digital assistant...

Big Essential Phone Camera Update Adds Auto-HDR, New HDR Algorithm

Kellen February 8, 2018 21

The Essential Phone, even with its below-average performance, touch responsiveness, and camera, still has me holding out hope for update magic that'll eliminate its flaws and allow the phone's software to stop embarrassing its incredible build and design. It'...

Google’s New Winter Sports and Blocks AR Stickers are Here for Your Pixel, Pixel 2

Kellen February 8, 2018 5

New AR stickers are here for your Pixel and Pixel 2! Google told us that new sticker packs were coming and they went live today. We've got Winter Sports and Blocks AR stickers, both of which need an update to the AR Stickers app in order to work on your Pixel...

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

Kellen December 19, 2025 5

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 5

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 5

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 5

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 5

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 5

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 5

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 5

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

Kellen May 6, 2025 46

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 46

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 46

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 46

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 46

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 46

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 46

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 46

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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