Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android 16 QPR2 Finally Can Lightly Theme All of Your App Icons

Kellen August 20, 2025 2

As a part of the new Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 that dropped this week, Google said they were adding an "Auto-Themed App Icons" feature. We fired up the beta and immediately looked for this first, as Google's attempt at icon theming up until this point has been...

Android 16 Lock Screen Widgets - Pixel Tablet

Android 16 QPR2 Adds Lock Screen Widgets to Phones Again

Kellen August 20, 2025 2

Lock Screen widgets are fully back! In the first Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 that was just released, Google added a toggle in lock screen settings on phones to allow "Widgets on lock screen." We've come full circle on this feature, after Google removed them so many...

Gemini Coming to Replace Google Assistant on Google Home Devices

Tim August 20, 2025 20

Huge news this afternoon, on top of the Pixel 10 announcement and Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 release, Google has confirmed that Gemini is coming to replace Google Assistant on the company's lineup of smart speakers and displays. Slated for early access release in...

What’s New in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1!

Kellen August 20, 2025 8

Google has already had a wild enough day with the unveiling of its new hardware line-up, but they apparently weren't satisfied with just that. To top off the day, Google has released Android 16 QPR2 with a first Beta 1 build for all of its current Pixel...

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 Released for Pixel Devices

Tim August 20, 2025 1

If today wasn't fun enough, Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel devices. It's available for the Pixel 9 series back to the Pixel 6 series, bringing a lot of new things to check out. Highlights in the changelog include an expanded dark theme,...

Here’s When the Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4 Actually Ship to You

Kellen August 20, 2025 12

You read through all that was announced today from Google and you might want to order a variety of items. From the Pixel 10 to the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a, everything is up for pre-order right now. However, not everything is shipping at the same time,...

Pixelsnap is Here as Qi2 for Pixel 10 Series, and Yes, Magnets are Built-in

Kellen August 20, 2025 13

Google's Pixel 10 series is essentially the first major Android phone line-up to truly embrace Qi2 wireless charging by building the magnets into the phone. We all know that Samsung found a little carve-out for their "Qi2 Ready" nonsense on Galaxy S25 and Fold...

Pixel 10 Gets Voice-Powered Photo Editing in Google Photos

Tim August 20, 2025

Google announced this morning that Google Photos is getting a new feature, first on the Pixel 10 series, followed by other devices soon. With the feature, users can simply speak desired edits to Google Photos and the app will handle the heavy lifting. Google...

How to Claim the $20 Verizon Outage Credit

Kellen January 15, 2026

Verizon announced today that it would give all of its customers a $20 credit after experiencing a 10-hour outage yesterday....

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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 Just Released for Pixel Phones

Kellen January 14, 2026

Google has released Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 for all of its still-supported Pixel phones, tablets, and foldables. After...

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Google Just Gave Gemini “Personal Intelligence”

Kellen January 14, 2026

Google's Gemini now has Personal Intelligence and can reason across your data, assuming you give it access. For AI as an...

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2026 January Pixel Update Available for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen January 12, 2026

We've entered 2026 and the first Google Pixel update of the year is here. For those with a still-supported Pixel phone or...

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Apple to Use Gemini to Power New Features on iPhone

Tim January 12, 2026

Google and Apple released a joint statement today, announcing a multi-year collab which will bring Gemini to Apple's...

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Galaxy S25 Sales Going Up When It Should Be Going Down

Tim January 12, 2026

There's something funky going on with Samsung's Galaxy S25 series sales numbers. As one might imagine, after the first few...

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Google Gave Your Gmail 3 Actually Useful Gemini Features for Free

Kellen January 8, 2026

Not that any of us expected Google to dial back on the Gemini push as we enter 2026, but I'm also not sure I anticipated them...

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T-Mobile’s New “Better Value” Has Lots of Data and a 3-Line Requirement

Kellen January 7, 2026

T-Mobile announced its new Better Value plan with all of the data, included streaming perks, and a 3-line requirement. T-...

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

Kellen May 6, 2025 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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 2

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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