Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android 13 QPR2 Beta Testers Need to Opt-Out Right Now to Get Stable Update

Kellen March 10, 2023 17

Google just confirmed that the Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 update is coming out next week ("week of March 13"), so we have to assume that means the QPR2 Beta program is coming to an end. If we go by their own words from this afternoon, that should mean that the big...

I Forgot About Pixel’s Squeeze for Assistant and Now I Miss It

Kellen March 10, 2023 21

The arrival of the Pixel 2 line-up in 2017 meant the introduction of Active Edge as a method for launching Google Assistant. We're talking about the squeezy sides that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL had that let you firmly grip your phone and fire up the Assistant...

Still Using a 3rd Party Launcher on Your Android Phone?

Kellen March 10, 2023 107

Finishing up my review of the Galaxy S23+ a week ago and switching to the smaller, extremely lovely Galaxy S23 meant it was time to put more of a personal touch on the Samsung experience. Since I can't stand the Samsung launcher and its obnoxious horizontal...

Galaxy S23 is the Small Phone King

Kellen March 10, 2023 32

The world of Android smartphones doesn't have many realistic options for those who prefer a smaller phone. That's not to say that there haven't been smaller smartphones in recent years, but they often lack in high-end specs or have predictably poor battery...

Double Storage on Pixel 7 Pro or Pixel 7 is $100 Off, Pixel 6a $299 Again

Kellen March 9, 2023 10

The Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 6a are almost always discounted, sort of like Google Nest devices. You should never pay full price for one because if one of those phones isn't on sale today, there's a good chance it will be in a couple of days. As...

TBT: 10 Years Ago, Your Custom ROM Friday Was ‘Shiny ROM’ for the Galaxy Nexus

Tim March 9, 2023 38

Holy craaaap, guys, we're getting old. 10 years ago, we were still doing a Custom ROM Friday post every single Friday. 10 years ago, on March 8, we posted up the Shiny ROM for the Galaxy Nexus. Written in my post, I noted that Pete Alfonso had left the ROM...

Google Keep Gets Its Single Note Widget

Kellen March 9, 2023 10

Google Keep has turned into a really solid note and list keeping app over the years. Google has expanded its feature set to make it one of the best free cross-platform note apps around. A little over a week, Google announced an incoming feature that has...

Laya’s Horizon, Same Developer as Alto’s Odyssey, Looks Awesome

Tim March 9, 2023 2

Snowman, the developer behind Alto's Adventure and Alto's Odyssey, is providing a sneak peek at its upcoming game, Laya's Horizon. In the video, we can see a relatively large world filled with obstacles for someone wearing a wingsuit. It's our assumption that...

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

Kellen December 19, 2025 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 17

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 17

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 17

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 17

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 17

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 17

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 17

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 17

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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