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.
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.
Sony has officially launched the budget-friendly Xperia L4 which might actually be an interesting entry into the affordable Android smartphone space.
You might not be aware that your Bluetooth headphones support an array of codecs for streaming wireless audio. With the Android 11 Developer Preview, it’s now slightly easier to see just which codecs your Bluetooth headphones support right on your device.
On the tail of the recent update for the OnePlus 7 Pro, the OnePlus 7T is now receiving the OxygenOS 10.0.8 update with fixes and improvements for many of the same issues, plus the January 2020 security patch is also in tow.
A recent update to Google Fit has now made it even easier to check your current fitness tracking stats on Android and iOS.
Even with the rush and amount of invested resources going into the S20 series launch, Samsung has now promptly delivered the February 2020 security patch for the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 — to match the recent S10, Note 9/10 updates.
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.
With the Galaxy Z Flip attracting controversy due to the softer than suggested “glass display,” a recent teardown of the device hints that the foldable might actually be easier to repair than first thought.
The rollout of dark mode to all of the first-party Google apps has been reasonably steady, with some notable exclusions and setbacks.
The Android 10 update for the T-Mobile variant of the OnePlus 6T is now rolling out after quite a substantial delay.
Apex Legends is one of the most popular battle royale games on the planet, yet we still await an official launch on Android and iOS.
The OxygenOS 10.0.4 update is now rolling out for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, with the update bringing some notable changes alongside the January 2020 security patch.
The reviews have been pretty damning of the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL, but we don’t think it’s all warranted, as they arguably remain the best Pixel devices to date.
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.
Coming as part of the first official Pixel Feature Drop, Call Screening and its automated answering service has now steadily rolled out to all Pixels in the United States. However, with this rollout, it appears that some Pixel owners are now unable to save audio from the Call Screen.
A new report confirms our suspicions that YouTube is the dominant force in online streaming, as the platform accounts for over 70% of the total time we spend using streaming services on mobile.
OxygenOS Open Beta 9 is now rolling out for the OnePlus 7 Pro with a number of fixes, while also including the January 2019 security patch.
The Google Assistant Ambient mode for OnePlus devices is rolling out right now, with all previously “flagship killers” also included — as far back as 2016’s OnePlus 3/3T.
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.
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.
WhatsApp has now reached the 2 billion user milestone, making it one of the biggest messaging platforms on the planet.
An undoubted showstopper, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip looks very much like it could be the most-wanted smartphone to come out of Unpacked 2020. But with the S20 series also launching during the very same event, you might have missed some interesting little Galaxy Z Flip details including the new Flex Mode, the “Hideaway Hinge,” plus a little more on top.
The Samsung Galaxy Home Mini has now drifted from vaporware to a real deal as the Bixby-powered speaker is set to come as a pre-order gift with the Galaxy S20 series — but only in South Korea.
We have always touted the wealth of designs and form factors as one of the core strengths of Wear OS. The latest addition is the ToryTrack Tory Smartwatch from designer Tory Burch.