We’re at a strange time when unique smartphone designs are falling into some weird places, and the Nubia Z20 is one such oddity.
Nubia Z20 review: A decent device with an unnecessary second screen gimmick [Video]
Author
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.
9to5Google Daily 389: Google is developing a new OS, Translate gets a dark mode, plus more
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.
OnePlus TV update adds Spotify integration, option to disable Dolby motion smoothing
The latest OnePlus TV update is bringing with it a ton of fixes and tweaks for the Android TV-integrated set, including the ability to disable Dolby motion smoothing and Wi-Fi hotspot sharing directly to your TV using your OnePlus smartphone.
Huawei to sue Verizon over alleged patent infringements
Huawei is set to launch legal proceedings against Verizon over alleged patent infringements.
The Google Play Points loyalty program is now available on web
The Google Play Points loyalty program is now rolling out to the web store, allowing you to accrue and spend your Play Points, no matter what device you use.
Visible speed limit tracking returns to Google Maps in the UK
Almost a year ago, Google Maps started a wide rollout of speed limit tracking during navigation across the globe.
Updated dark mode tweaks come to latest WhatsApp beta build
After the latest beta build finally brought dark mode to WhatsApp, the latest update is now giving those using the cross-platform messenger further options to tailor their experience.
[Update: More renders, Amazon UK listing] Moto G8, G8 Power specs and renders leak w/ mid-range hardware, familiar design
Renders of the upcoming Motorola Moto G8 and G8 Power have leaked giving us a closer look at the design and the specifications of the yet to be released handsets.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip rumors: Everything we know so far [Video]
Last year Samsung was able to keep a lid on the Galaxy Fold until the final hours before the Unpacked 2019 event. This time around we know quite a bit more on the rumor front ahead of the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip — the firms second-generation foldable.
9to5Google Daily 388: Google Assistant unified notifications settings incoming, YouTube’s classic desktop interface to be killed off, plus more
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.
First real-life image of Galaxy S20 Ultra showcases its bulbous camera setup
As we patiently await Unpacked 2020 and hope that it isn’t affected by the recent Coronavirus outbreak, we’ll likely see a deluge of leaks leading up to the event. The most recent leak being a live hands-on image of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
5 reasons to go with a mid-range smartphone over a flagship [Video]
9to5Google Daily 387: Google sends videos uploaded to Photos to strangers, YouTube generates $15B a year in ad revenue, plus more
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 January 2020 security patch is now rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S7
As part of the proposed quarterly maintenance schedule, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is now receiving the January 2020 security patch.
The Poco X2 goes official w/ 120Hz display, Snapdragon 730G, 6GB RAM, $225 price tag
After being teased for a few weeks, the Poco X2 has now gone official with a laundry list of specs and an enticing low entry price point.
Google has now paid out over $80 billion to Play Store developers
Google has confirmed that it has now paid out over $80 billion to Play Store developers since the launch of the digital marketplace in March 2012.
[Update: US unlocked S10, Note 10] The Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Note 10 beat the Pixel to the February 2020 patch
Samsung has really upped its game recently, pushing updates in good time and has even managed to beat Google Pixel to the February 2020 security patch, as it is now rolling out for the Galaxy Note 9 and Note 10 right now.
9to5Google Daily 386: How to create a virtual traffic jam with 99 smartphones, Gmail dark theme goes missing, plus more
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.
Alleged Nokia 5.2 code-named ‘Captain America’ leaks in hands-on images
Nokia has done a great job at bombarding the mid-range with affordable devices that feel premium while retaining a great software experience. The latest potential recruit to their lineup of smartphone superheroes could be the Nokia 5.2 — code-named “Captain America.”
MediaTek adds the Helio G80 to its mid-range gaming chip arsenal
MediaTek has added another mid-range gaming chip to its catalogue of affordable device CPUs in the form of the Helio G80.
[Update: 6T rollout restarted] OxygenOS 10.3.1 now rolling out for OnePlus 6/6T w/ 5Ghz WiFi fix, December patch
The latest update based upon Android 10 for the OnePlus 6 and 6T is now rolling out in the form of OxygenOS 10.3.1.
[Update: US rollout] Android 10 is apparently now rolling out for the LG G8 ThinQ
Considering how poorly LG treats devices with regards to updates, the suggestion that the Android 10 update is heading out for the LG G8 ThinQ is impressive for a company that can barely send out Android Pie.
[Update: Available now] Samsung Good Lock 2020 with Android 10 support is coming February 3
The One UI 2.0 update is steadily rolling out for a plethora of Samsung Galaxy devices, but one side effect was the issues with the popular customization tool Good Lock on Android 10.
9to5Google Daily 385: Google’s ADT-3 Android TV dongle on sale, Huawei now 2nd globally, plus more
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.