Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android L Features: Notification Manager Introduced in “Sound & Notifications”

Kellen June 30, 2014 28

In the past, if you didn't want an app showing notifications on your Android device, you had to either long-press on a notification from the app, then head into the app's specific info page, and disable notifications or take the longer route to unchecking its...

Android L Features: Heads-Up Notifications Will Eventually be Awesome

Kellen June 30, 2014 87

One of the more iOS-like features introduced by Google for Android L during last week's I/O, were Heads-Up notifications. Think of them as floating notifications that appear at the top of the screen no matter what you are up to. Not only do they allow you to...

Google Music Update 5.6.1608P Moves “Downloaded Only” Toggle to Slideout Menu

Kellen June 30, 2014 70

A new update to Google Music is rolling out today as build 5.6.1608P. The update isn't massive by any means, but does include a couple of tweaks here and there to the layout. First, in the slideout navigation menu, you will see a new toggle for "Downloaded...

Blek Finally Hits Google Play After Becoming Highly-celebrated Puzzler on iOS

Tim June 30, 2014 25

I can't talk about Blek without telling a brief story. Thanks to a few of my friends who exclusively run iOS devices, who are always showing off the latest games they have, I am continuously left feeling jealous of their access to certain titles. Heck, Tiny...

Android L Features: Android Beam Now a Part of Share Menu

Kellen June 30, 2014 30

In Android L, Google has included Android Beam in the sharing menu, making it arguably easier to share items using NFC. When you go to share an item now in the L version of Android, you will see an icon for Android Beam, along with your icons for Drive or Box...

Heads Up! App Brings Android L-like Pop-up Notifications to Your Android Device

Tim June 30, 2014 42

At Google I/O last week, Google introduced Heads Up notifications in Android L, which are essentially pop up notifications for applications. No matter which app you are in, at any given time, you can see notifications on your display, which also have the...

Tip: SIM Tray Stuck on Nexus 5, You Should do This

Kellen June 30, 2014 34

This is somewhat of a random tip, but since the issue just happened to the DL crew last week at Google I/O, we wanted to share to hopefully save as many of you as possible from doing something crazy should this situation occur. If you missed the titled, yes,...

T-Mobile LG G2 Receiving Update, Brings KnockOn Security

Tim June 30, 2014 41

KnockOn, a security feature introduced on the LG G Pro 2 back at MWC, is making its way to older devices. Announced this morning by T-Mobile, current LG G2 owners on the network will receive an update this week, bringing the KnockOn feature to their devices....

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025 41

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 41

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 41

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 41

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 41

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 41

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 41

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 41

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 28

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 28

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 28

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 28

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 28

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 28

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 28

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 28

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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