Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Unlocking Xperia Z3 Compact Bootloader Worsens Low-Light Camera Performance, May Affect Other Apps

Kyle October 2, 2014 127

The message from most smartphone manufacturers seems abundantly clear - bootloaders are better locked. Even OEMs which ship so-called developer devices seem to do all that they can to dissuade the average user from flashing unauthorized firmware, whether by...

Android L for the Galaxy S5 Gets an 8-Minute Video Preview

Kellen October 2, 2014 227

Curious as to how ugly interesting TouchWiz would make Google's Android L? We now know, thanks to an 8-minute video preview of Android L running on the Galaxy S5, courtesy of SamMobile. The video shows an early build running on the SM-G900F model of the GS5,...

Google Play Newsstand Receives Shiny New Material Design Makeover (Updated: APK Available)

Kellen October 2, 2014 45

Google Play Newsstand - not to be confused with the newly revamped Google News and Weather - received an update this morning (or will soon) that brings in a touch of Material Design, along with a new magazine reading experience. As a refresher, Newsstand is...

DROID MAXX Drops to “Free” at Verizon, Bring on the DROID Turbo

Kellen October 1, 2014 65

Real 2-day battery life can now be had at Verizon for free with a new 2-year contract, thanks to a price drop of the DROID MAXX. The phone was previously listed at around $50 on-contract, but with the DROID Turbo headed to Big Red in the very near future, it's...

Samsung Galaxy Alpha Unboxing (AT&T)

Kellen October 1, 2014 103

When Samsung first introduced the Galaxy Alpha back in August, we weren't exactly sure what to make of it. Was Samsung trying to take on the iPhone by using premium materials like metal? Was Samsung trying to set a new standard for their design going forward?...

Bulkypix Publishes Nimble Squiggles to Google Play, on Sale for $1.19

Tim October 1, 2014 5

From the game studio Bulkypix, who are responsible for a ton of great games on Google Play such as Dead Effect and Type:Rider, comes a new title called Nimble Squiggles. In this game, you play as a glob of something-or-other, trying to escape a word of puzzles...

Deal: Pre-order Pocket-sized Karma Go LTE Hotspot for $99

Tim October 1, 2014 27

For a limited time, folks who have been itching for a more portable data solution can pre-order the upcoming Karma Go LTE hotspot. Set to be priced at $150, but available for $99 through a pre-order promotion, Karma Go allows users to pay for the data they use...

This is the Nexus 6 in Black and White (in renders).

Kellen October 1, 2014 206

Well, these images are creations that are based off of information we have received, just like every other "leak" you have seen over the last couple of weeks. With that said, we have confidence in presenting these in-house made renders of what we believe the...

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

Kellen December 18, 2025 206

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 206

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 206

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 206

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 206

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 206

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 206

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 206

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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 127

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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