Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Google Details Load of Helpful Features Coming to Google Maps

Tim May 18, 2021 7

Google announced a solid lineup of new features headed to Google Maps this year at this week's Google I/O. Whether it's helping you get to your destination more safely or to help you avoid crowds, Maps has been evolving at a rapid pace and we're here for it....

What’s New in Android 12 Beta 1!

Kellen May 18, 2021 40

Alright, so we have spent the past couple of hours with the Android 12 Beta 1 and are ready to start sharing our findings. There are some big changes to be aware of, including a brief preview of the Material You experience that will take over Pixel phones, but...

Wear OS is Getting a YouTube Music App and Spotify is Adding Offline Music to Theirs

Kellen May 18, 2021 10

I know this isn't the biggest bit of news from Google I/O today, but we need to make sure all of you Wear OS users saw it. YouTube Music is finally coming to watches after all this time. That's right, non-Wear OS users who are out of the loop, Google has not...

Download Android 12 Beta for Your OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro (Update: Don’t Do It!)

Tim May 18, 2021 4

The Android 12 beta is up for select devices, most notably for select Pixel and OnePlus devices. We've already discussed the update for Pixel phones, but now OnePlus has completely detailed the Android 12 beta for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. While this is...

Samsung Commits to Support Old Tizen Galaxy Watches for 3 Years

Kellen May 18, 2021 10

You may have questions surrounding the future of your Galaxy Watch that runs Samsung's Tizen, the wearable OS it just said it will ditch in favor of a co-developed Wear platform they are working on with Google. Can't say I blame you! The $400 Galaxy Watch 3...

The Fitbit-Wear OS Mash-Up is Happening

Kellen May 18, 2021 16

As a part of today's big Wear OS reveal, where Google said they are making a unified wearable platform with Samsung, the future of Fitbit was also revealed. After a couple of years worth of confusion around Google's plans for the fitness company they acquired,...

Android 12 Beta 1 Now Available for Google Pixel Phones!

Kellen May 18, 2021 26

As expected, Google announced Android 12 Beta 1 today for its supported Pixel phones and you can download it right away. Since this is a beta and not just a developer preview, there are a couple of ways to get it on your Pixel 5, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 3a,...

Google, Samsung Join Forces for New Unified Wear OS 3.0 Platform

Tim May 18, 2021 15

Whoa, Google just dropped a massive wearable bomb at Google I/O. Announced this morning, Google has been working with Samsung on a unified platform between Google's Wear OS and Samsung's Tizen wearable systems. What does that mean? A completely revamped...

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.1 Released for Pixel Phones!

Tim December 23, 2025 15

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 15

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 15

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 15

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 15

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 15

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 15

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 15

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 7

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 7

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 7

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 7

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 7

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 7

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 7

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 7

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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