Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android 12 Most Installed Android Beta ‘By Far’

Tim June 10, 2021 16

Google's Dave Burke, VP of Engineering for Android, detailed this week that the Android 12 beta is by far the platform's most downloaded and installed beta ever. That, obviously, is fantastic news for Google. Unfortunately, Burke doesn't provide specifics and...

This Android 12 Beta 2 Animation is Everything

Kellen June 10, 2021 19

The change to the notification panel in Android 12 Beta 2 is still a bit of shocking experience each time I swipe down the statusbar, even 24 hours into this. But here's the thing - if you do it slowly and watch the careful animation that Google introduced...

Chromecast With Google TV Gets Its Stadia Support Update

Tim June 10, 2021 5

As you can see above, Google is shipping out the QTS1 update to the Chromecast With Google TV, the update that brings along support for Stadia. If you've been waiting patiently for this support, the day has come. In addition to support for Stadia, the...

Verizon Galaxy S20 Family Gets June Security Patch

Tim June 10, 2021 5

Verizon and Samsung are sending out the June security patch to owners of Galaxy S20 devices. This continues Samsung's ongoing legacy of being the King of Android updates, and if you can't tell by now, we're having a lot of fun with that title. All that's...

Samsung Could Show Off the Galaxy Watch 4 and New Wear OS Later This Month

Kellen June 9, 2021 1

The folks in Barcelona are hosting their big MWC conference at the end of this month for the first time in over a year as both an in-person and virtual event. Most of the big companies already (smartly) bailed on it, but organizers appear to have talked some,...

Verizon Galaxy Note 10, Note 20 Lineups Get June Security Patch

Tim June 9, 2021 3

Verizon is shipping out the June security patch and a small system performance update to owners of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 20 devices. With this move, Samsung continues its reign as the King of Android Updates Whose Name Isn't Google. Solid stuff,...

Google Preps Messages App for Android 12’s Colorful Material You

Tim June 9, 2021 4

Recently spotted, Google is preparing its Messages app to beautifully integrate with Android 12's Material You user interface, bringing a bit of dynamic color to the messaging app. On Android 12, the UI's accent color can intelligently match whatever wallpaper...

Android 12 Beta 2 Made Quick Settings Even More Powerful With New Tiles

Kellen June 9, 2021 3

The Quick Settings area in Android has been one of its most powerful areas for a number of years. There's a reason in our "First 10 Things" videos that we always recommend that you customize this, especially the first few settings to keep them handy. In the...

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

Kellen December 19, 2025 3

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 3

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 3

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 3

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 3

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 3

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 3

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 3

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 16

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 16

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 16

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 16

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 16

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 16

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 16

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 16

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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