Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Google Messages Encryption is Super Live, Reactions Hit the Web

Kellen December 11, 2020 10

The feature list of Google Messages, as well as its flexibility for use across devices, continues to improve with each passing month. We learned a month ago that encryption was soon to arrive for RCS users, and that seems to be going live for more folks today,...

Poll: Did You Buy a New Phone in 2020?

Tim December 11, 2020 129

2020 had some great phone releases. We have Pixel 5, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 2, OnePlus 8T, and even the LG Wing (lol). Point is, lots of new phones in 2020! Our question to you is, did you buy one? While there's no shortage of new-new...

Disney+ Getting Price Bump Next Year

Tim December 11, 2020 28

Surprise, surprise, Disney+ is getting a price increase in March, 2021. Detailed yesterday alongside a ton of new content, subscribers will soon be paying an extra $1 for the service, bringing the total for a subscription to $8/month and $14/month for those...

Podcast: Holiday Giveaway Trivia Show!

Kellen December 11, 2020

For this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're celebrating the holiday season and end of year by running a giveaway/trivia show. This is the 2nd year in a row we've done this, where we don't really care what the hot topics are for the moment, we just want to...

Gboard’s Quick Paste Suggestions a Sneaky Best Feature of 2020

Kellen December 10, 2020 31

Throughout a year, it's easy to lose track of the dozens and dozens of features that our favorite apps introduce. We are all so stuck in our ways that unless something dramatically changes the way we work without asking us to do much, it can be hard to adopt...

Google Voice RCS Would Be Awesome, Google

Kellen December 10, 2020 31

For most of the past decade, I have used nothing but Google Voice for texting and calling. Through the hundreds of phones I've tested on various carriers, I almost never touch the dialer and place a call through that phone's actual number, because instead I...

YouTube TV Subscribers Receiving Free Chromecast With Google TV ($50 Value)

Tim December 10, 2020 37

Subscribe to YouTube TV? You may want to check your email! Google is sending out emails entitling subscribers of YouTube TV to a free Chromecast With Google TV. That's a $50 value and a solid holiday gift. Related: Chromecast With Google TV review! If you...

How To: Add Google Assistant Routines Shortcuts to Home Screen

Kellen December 10, 2020 6

As aware as I am of Google Assistant and its capabilities, my hesitance to use it more often has almost always been because I'd prefer to not have to speak out loud to it. When I use Assistant, it's typically by first activating it with a swipe rather than "...

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

Kellen December 19, 2025 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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 6

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 10

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 10

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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