Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Essential Phone Receiving Update With December Security Patch

Tim December 5, 2017 23

Essential announced via Twitter that it's rolling out a new update to the Essential Phone, labeled as build NMJ51B. After installing the update, owners will be running December's Android security patch, which was just announced this week. Considering the Pixel...

Google’s Files Go App Now Available Globally for Anyone Running Lollipop or Higher

Tim December 5, 2017 6

In early November, Google launched a file management app in beta called Files Go. Today, the app launches globally for any Android devices running Lollipop or higher. If you haven't yet downloaded this app, it's a smart file manager, capable of recognizing...

December Security Patch Arrives as Android 8.1 and the Pixel, Nexus Images are Ready

Kellen December 5, 2017 93

After first releasing the December security bulletin yesterday, Google has gone ahead and posted the Android security update for December 2017 and the files are live for a number of devices, both Pixel and Nexus. This is also the Android 8.1 update that has...

Android Go Arrives With Android 8.1 “Go Edition”

Kellen December 5, 2017 12

Back at Google I/O, Google unveiled a new project called "Android Go" that targeted entry-level devices with 512GB to 1GB RAM. The goal was to provide a lighter and speedier, yet still solid Android experience for ultra-budget phones. With the launch of...

Google Says That Android 8.1 is “Rolling Out Now” (Updated: Yep!)

Kellen December 5, 2017 43

Wait, is it? We picked up a second Android 8.1 Developer Preview last week, which was mostly a final version, though we are expecting another update to the final version this month. We are also expecting the December security patch to reach Pixel and Nexus...

Mid-Range Honor 7X Launches Today in US for $199, High-End View 10 in January

Tim December 5, 2017 18

The Honor 7X, a followup to last year's 6X, was announced back in November. At the time, Honor didn't specify US launch details, but this morning at a press event, Honor provided all the nitty gritty, confirming that the Honor 7X is available today, priced at...

Samsung Wants Your Next Phone to Have 512GB of Storage

Kellen December 5, 2017 39

I don't know that I'd suggest that 256GB of storage in a phone has become commonplace just yet, but Samsung is ready to move well beyond that. The Korean electronics giant announced today that they are now mass producing 512GB eUFS chips for flagship...

DEAL: Buy Any Nest Product Over $99 Through Best Buy, Get a Free Google Home Mini

Tim December 4, 2017 9

For a limited time, anyone who purchases a Nest product that is priced over $99 through Best Buy will receive a free Google Home Mini. Why is this awesome? Well, because Nest products support Google Assistant, meaning you can do all sorts of things with...

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025 9

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 9

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 9

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 9

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 9

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 9

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 9

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 9

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 23

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 23

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 23

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 23

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 23

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 23

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 23

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 23

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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