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.
With the COVID-19 coronavirus changing the way we keep in touch with the people that mean the most to us, the latest WhatsApp beta update hints that we’ll gain Facebook Messenger Rooms integration.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
TCL, still better known for mid-range TVs, is now dipping its toes into the smartphone waters with the 10L and 10 Pro — two budget-oriented smartphones that look surprisingly compelling.
A new report from data research firm Strategy Analytics suggests that buyer habits during the Q1 2020 have shifted substantially, with the mid-range Samsung Galaxy A51 topping the sales charts for this early portion of the year.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 might have been superseded by the S20 series, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a fantastic smartphone.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
OxygenOS 10.5.8 now appears to be rolling out for the OnePlus 8 Pro with supposed fixes for numerous display issues alongside the April 2020 security patch.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Not quite so hot on the heels of the trailblazing Poco F1, the Xiaomi offshoot has now officially unveiled the follow-up Poco F2 Pro with some impressive specifications at a knockdown price.
Google has today officially announced the Change the Game Design Challenge encouraging students to submit their own original ideas for the next wave of mobile games.
OnePlus has often encouraged developers by offering the community with kernel sources for its flagship smartphones — the latest being the OnePlus 8 series.
Huawei is re-releasing the firm’s last Google-supported flagship with a fresh lick of paint but the same internals in the form of the P30 Pro New Edition.
The public beta for the recently announced Microsoft Family Safety app is now up and running for those on Android and iOS.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
The next Google Pixel device is set to come as the follow-up to the superb value Pixel 3a, with familiar compromises but the familiar “Pixel” experience. Even with no proper launch event, the rumor mill is rife with what the Pixel 4a might bring to the table.
Qualcomm has officially unveiled its latest 5G-enabled chipset in the form of the Snapdragon 768G.
Straight up, the 2020 iPhone SE is a good phone. It probably won’t replace the phone in your pocket unless you happen to own a really old device, but it really is impressive — even if it does run iOS.
The latest Google Doodle for the UK celebrates one of English footballs most trailblazing stars Frank Soo — often referred to as the “forgotten footballer.”
After the first wave of Google Doodle games, we’re now seeing the latest selection or “second wave” roll out over the course of the week.
Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
After teases and leaks, the LG Velvet has now finally been officially unveiled in South Korea.
OxygenOS Open Beta 13 is now rolling out for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, with the update replacing the now pulled Open Beta 12.
RCS messaging has had a rocky rollout so far, but Samsung and Google are now teaming up directly to enable the rich text message service on more Galaxy phones.
The latest Android 11 Developer Preview is now available for those with a compatible device but for those with the Pixel 4, a bug is causing the time and battery within the status bar to be cut off.