Damien is 9to5Google‘s resident Video Producer and has over a decade of UK media experience. He worked within the sports industry and with numerous sports-focused publications — including golfing publication National Club Golfer — prior to joining the 9to5Google team.
After completing a BSc in Computer Science at the University of Hull with a major focus on data analytics and UX, he joined the Press Association (now PA Media), developing growing sports data products for the Barclay’s Premier League. These’s data packages included the now-defunct ACTIM Index which eventually evolved into the EA Sports Player Performance Index.
While working with the UK’s largest media agency, he attained a MA in Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University after completing his studies in 2014. This is where a love affair with all things videography surfaced after a brief stint in student TV. A major interest and constantly growing know-how of technology and videography have seen Damien lead 9to5Google’s official YouTube channel since 2018. He previously hosted the 9to5Google Daily podcast from 2019 to 2021.
Damien’s expertise and focus area lie in a number of beats including Android and OEM software updates, mobile applications, smartphone and accessory reviews, and just about anything that makes a modern mobile nerd tick. He says that he is “platform agnostic” despite primarily using Android devices and attempts to regularly test the iOS waters to better understand the nuances of the tech he covers on a day-to-day basis.
Outside of the tech space Damien is an avid supporter of his boyhood soccer team Hull City and is even a fully qualified Barista — with 3 years of experience making speciality coffee. Be sure to follow him on Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram for insights and upcoming video updates and tidbits. If you are interested, you can also check out just what video gear he is currently using on his dedicated Kit.co page.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series might not add a ton of new functions and features, but there are a few software functions and features being lifted right from Pixel phones.
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Very few changes, I think that sums up the Galaxy S26 series. Has Samsung dropped the ball? Is there anything really worth talking about here? Yes, let’s get into it.
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Chinese smartphone maker Tecno is channeling Project Ara with its latest Modular Phone concept, previewed ahead of MWC 2026.
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Months on from the original launch, the honeymoon is over, but do we still have that “spark” with the Pixel Watch 4? Discounts have been forthcoming, but with six or so months before we get a follow-up, just where did Google do well, and do poorly? Here is everything you need to know.
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With Samsung gearing up for the firm’s yearly smartphone launch, and with the benefit of hindsight, we sort of need the Galaxy S26 to at least make some notable improvements over its predecessors or risk losing potential buyers.
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After the better part of a decade heel dragging, the BBC Sport app now finally has a dedicated dark mode on Android devices.
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Rewind almost 15 years, and the Android ROM scene was thriving. Nightly builds, tons of projects, we truly were living in a golden age. Nowadays, things have changed significantly. Just what happened to the custom ROM scene, and can it be revived?
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We may be approaching six months on from the Pixel 10 launch, but with time comes the best deals. The latest is a steal with the Pixel 10 Pro dipping well below the $600 barrier on Amazon.
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While availability of Sony Xperia handsets has dwindled over the last couple of years, those with the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 IV might be happy to hear that LineageOS support is now available for the hardware.
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It’s not a new concept, but what is it with Android OEMs and straight-up ripping off or copying Apple so brazenly lately? Let’s get into the reasons why.
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2026 could be a blockbuster year for Google after some serious success across almost all areas in 2025. What should and could we expect? Here are a few early-year thoughts and expectations.
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Is the curtain falling on big-ticket Android updates? Does a yearly release cycle even matter anymore, or is it just a sign of the times that there isn’t much left to really add to our smartphones?
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Don’t ask us why, but some Android phones do not come with the best features enabled out of the box.
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On a recent trip to Japan, I ditched my most pocketable camera – the Panasonic Lumix S9 – in favor of the Pixel 10 Pro XL. After thousands of photos, as good as it can be, there are a few things that feel like they might need tweaking to be truly perfect.
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Last year, OnePlus unveiled a new Android 15 update that significantly addressed many complaints and common criticisms. However, with OxygenOS 16 and Android 16, things have changed again. And maybe not in the ways we expected.
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After a multi-year hiatus, popular battle royale Fortnite is now officially back on the Google Play Store.
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After a small-ish Android 16 update, One UI 8.5 is now available in beta for select Samsung smartphones – here are some of the biggest and best new features.
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Big Android updates used to feel few and far between, but in the last few months, we’ve had some big changes, including a ton of new features in Android 16 QPR2. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest update for eligible Google Pixel phones.
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Google’s latest lineup of devices is now even more heavily discounted, following some significant Black Friday deals, with the Pixel 10 Pro starting at just $699 as part of Amazon’s Cyber Monday offers.
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If you’re looking for a decent replacement for an older phone or a backup, and the Pixel 9 looks eerily similar to the Pixel 10, is it still worth it? Well, of course it is, but let’s get into why in this deep dive.
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I’m the kind of person who constantly tries to refine my travel kit so that I’m covered for every eventuality. I even buy travel tech accessories if I think they can make my life even 5% better. Over the past few years, I’ve spent countless hours and pounds (or freedom bucks for my American friends), and here are a few key items I can’t live without.
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We’ve had a decent amount of time to determine where the Pixel 10 Pro stacks up and what to expect. If you’ve been waiting, here’s everything you need to know.
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For whatever reason, we have two flagship-level OnePlus releases in a single year, but it asks more questions than it answers. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is a phone that compromises in similar ways to the OnePlus 15. Just how do they compare?
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By now, enough dust has settled, the prices have come down a wee bit, and you’re ready to upgrade. But which Pixel released in 2025 is right for you? Bear with us, here’s everything you need to know.
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