Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android N: RIP, Slow as Hell “Optimizing Apps” Screen

Kellen March 10, 2016 44

What's our least favorite screen in Android? You don't need to answer that because I'm about to tell you. It's the "Optimizing apps..." screen that pops up just after you install a new update on your phone. You know you have seen this screen. It's the screen...

Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are Getting Marshmallow Today

Kellen March 10, 2016 30

As you all know, Verizon (somehow) became the first US carrier to introduce Marshmallow to a Samsung flagship from 2015. That phone was the Galaxy Note 5. We don't even want to know the politics behind Verizon being first, when they are almost always last, ...

Nest Intros Family Accounts, Home/Away Assist for Better Automation (Android Wear Support, Too)

Tim March 10, 2016 8

Nest is introducing two new features for owners this week - Family accounts and Home/Away Assist. For those who live in a household with others, and not just themselves, it makes sense that you would want others in your home to have the ability to control Nest...

Video: Android N’s App Switcher is Pretty Awesome Now

Kellen March 10, 2016 45

When Google first introduced the swipe-up gesture for Google Now, our minds start racing over the future and possibilities of navigation buttons. Before then, we all just sort of took those buttons to mean simple functions: back meant back, home meant home,...

SwiftKey Keyboard Intros Stats, Number Row in Password Fields

Tim March 10, 2016 30

SwiftKey's first update after being acquired by Microsoft is now available to the public through Google Play. Inside, SwiftKey has implemented SwiftKey Stats, which gives visualizations of how you, the user, type. This can be accessed by visiting the Settings...

Waze 4.0 Launches on Google Play, Fancy ETA Panel and Improved Power Consumption

Tim March 10, 2016 37

After much teasing, Waze 4.0 is officially available on Google Play, bringing a gang of changes to Android users. Inside, Waze has "significantly" reduced battery consumption, while also incorporating an entirely redesigned reporting menu for sharing road...

DEAL: Huawei Watch, One of the Best Android Wear Devices You can Buy, is Just $269 Today

Kellen March 10, 2016 35

The Huawei Watch, a smartwatch that is easily one of the two best available today, is discounted at Amazon for the day by as much as $130. You can read our Huawei Watch review for details on why we love this watch so much. Actually, here are 3 reasons you...

Nexus 6P Update to MHC19I Will Also Introduce a Number of Improvements

Kellen March 10, 2016 127

On Tuesday, a Nexus community manager showed up at reddit to inform Nexus 5X owners that they would finally be receiving their jank-fixing update. The update would rollout as special build MHC19J, with not only bug fixes and the latest security patches, but ...

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 44

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 44

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 44

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 44

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 44

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 44

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 44

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 44

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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