Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Report: Google Requires More Google From Manufacturers, Because Android has Evolved and Google Apps are Still King

Kellen September 26, 2014 284

A report out of The Information this morning suggests that Google's revamped MADA (Mobile Application Distribution Agreement) for 2014 - the agreement that manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, or Lenovo sign in order to add Google's suite of apps to their Android...

Moto Maker Now Available for Verizon’s Moto X (2nd Gen)

Kellen September 26, 2014 59

The new Moto X (2nd gen) became available last night through Verizon, an hour or so before the clock flipped the day to September 26. We pointed it out, but also noted that Moto Maker was not available just yet. If you were hoping to customize a new Moto X or...

Moto X (2nd Gen) Now Available From Verizon for $99

Kellen September 25, 2014 161

The date is September 26 (well almost), and the Moto X (2nd generation) is available from Verizon, only a day later than sources of ours from two months ago told us to expect it. The device is available for $99 with a new 2-year contract, $24.99 per month on...

Don’t Play This Game, but Maybe Check it Out Anyway

Tim September 25, 2014 6

We found a new puzzler game of sorts thanks to the trending section over in Google Play, a game called Don't Play This Game. Of course, with a title like that, I had to download it. Priced at $0.99, the game features curiously weird puzzles, with the main goal...

AT&T Sends Minor Update Out to Galaxy S4 Active

Tim September 25, 2014

A minor update is being pushed out to the Galaxy S4 Active on AT&T, build number I537UCUCNH3, filled with fixes for network connectivity and security patches. In the official changelog posted on AT&T's support site, the company notes that connectivity...

Verizon Issues Update to DROID DNA, Brings Security Fixes and More

Tim September 25, 2014 42

An update is headed out to owners of the DROID DNA on Verizon, which brings security fixes and resolution for "device root vulnerability." On top of those fixes, HTC and Verizon added in improved Miracast functionality, improved Softcard functionality, and an...

So, is This Motorola’s “Shamu” Nexus Looking All Sorts of Massive Next to a G3?

Kellen September 25, 2014 347

Umm, I don't know if it is. Either way, the phone pictured is a massive Moto X-looking phone next to the LG G3, which is already a massive phone, and absolutely stomping all over it. Is this the Motorola Nexus aka "Shamu" aka Nexus 6 aka Whale Wars aka Free...

How to: Upgrade Phones at Verizon and Keep Unlimited Data

Kellen September 25, 2014 244

Continuing to hold on to your unlimited data plan at Verizon is becoming increasingly more difficult, assuming you want to upgrade to a new phone at some point. The options to upgrade are disappearing quicker than we can count, but there are still a handful of...

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

Kellen December 19, 2025 244

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 244

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 244

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 244

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 244

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 244

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 244

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 244

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 284

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 284

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 284

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 284

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 284

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 284

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 284

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 284

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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