Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Sprint Moto X Now Receiving Android 4.4 “Kit Kat” as Build 13.11.3Q2.X-69-3-8

Kellen December 12, 2013 12

Sprint Moto X owners, you can finally stop feeling left out - your Kit Kat (Android 4.4) update has been approved and is ready to rollout as build 13.11.3. Motorola shocked the world a bit when it released Android 4.4 to the Verizon Moto X only three weeks...

Google Maps 7.5 on Android Secretly Matches iOS Version – Now Pulls Hotel, Flight and Restaurant Reservations From Gmail

Kellen December 12, 2013 37

Yesterday afternoon, an update to the iOS version of Google Maps rolled out, bringing with it hotel, flight, and restaurant reservation info that it had pulled from Gmail. In other words, Google Maps on iOS became a lot like Google Now. If you have emails from...

Download: Instagram Version 5.0 With IG Direct, Private Video and Photo Messenger

Tim December 12, 2013 17

We know how difficult it can be waiting for a staged rollout to hit your phone, so if you are trying to download version 5.0 of Instagram from Google Play, you no longer need to wait. Version 5.0 features Instagram Direct, which allows users to send private...

New Swiftkey Beta Introduces 500 Emoji, Optional Number Row

Kellen December 12, 2013 53

Swiftkey, a 3rd party keyboard that remains one of the favorites around this site, received a beta update to version 4.5 this morning that finally introduces emoji and an optional number row. Seems silly, right? That we're talking about an update that...

Instagram Announces Instagram Direct, Private Video and Photo Messenger Built Into Instagram

Eric December 12, 2013 26

Instagram, the filter-centric social network, took to the stage this morning before a small crowd of press to announce their latest experiment, Instagram Direct. Instagram already lets you share photos with everyone on your list, but no real option for...

Nightmare: Malaria Hits Google Play, a Fun Game That Battles a Real Issue

Tim December 11, 2013 30

A new game hit Google Play this week, one which is not only fun to play, but also helps those who suffer from malaria. The game is called Nightmare: Malaria, and it covers an adventure through the body of a young girl suffering from malaria. The goal is to...

Verizon Galaxy S4 Update Build VRUEMK2 Approved – Allows Non-Samsung Chargers to Work, Fixes Other Issues

Kellen December 11, 2013 127

A new update for the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon has been approved (and may even be rolling out already) as build VRUEMK2. The update appears to be pretty minor while addressing a few bugs here and there. Things like Email connectivity have been improved,...

Android 4.4.2 Build KOT49H Factory Images Available for Nexus 4, 5, 7, and 10

Kellen December 11, 2013 62

Go get your Android 4.4.2 (build KOT49H) factory images. They have now been posted for the Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (all 2013 and 2012 models), and the Nexus 10. Oh, binaries too. Factory Images | Binaries

Current Galaxy Z TriFold Pricing Has Samsung Losing Money With Each Sale

Tim December 29, 2025 62

A report out of South Korea is painting a suboptimal picture for Samsung and its current nice guy pricing of the Galaxy Z...

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025 62

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 62

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 62

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 62

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 62

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 62

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 62

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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Google’s Latest Ad Pokes at iPhone for Copying Its Features, iPhone 17 Rumors

Kellen May 6, 2025 12

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 12

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 12

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 12

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 12

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 12

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 12

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 12

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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