In a bid to declutter notification drawers, Google decided that disabling Play Store update notifications was something that was needed, despite being pretty useful.
You can now bring back Play Store update notifications with AppNotifier
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.
Sony Xperia 5 review: The not-so-compact, ‘compact’ phone [Video]
Finding a flagship phone in compact form is something that has become increasingly difficult as OEMs steadily move to building more oversized devices. However, Sony has persisted with their now-defunct “Compact” series, and more recently the Xperia 5.
9to5Google Daily 378: WhatsApp dark mode is finally here, Twitter for Android keeps crashing, 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.
[Update: Mint Green P40 Pro render] Alleged Huawei P40 press images show dual punch-hole notch, triple camera setup
The first official-looking press renders of the upcoming Google-free Huawei P40 have appeared online, showcasing some of the upcoming features of the smaller P40 model.
[Update: S9/S9+] January 2020 security patch now rolling out for the Galaxy S8/S8+, Note 9
The January 2020 security patch is now rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ and the Galaxy Note 9.
WhatsApp finally gains a dedicated dark mode in latest app beta update
The long wait for a dedicated WhatsApp dark mode is over, with the latest app beta now finally adding the native darkened theme to the messaging app.
[Update: Now available in US for $129] The Nokia 2.3 unveiled with Android One, 4000mAh battery but micro-USB
HMD Global has unveiled its latest budget Android One smartphone in the form of the Nokia 2.3.
9to5Google Daily 377: Next-gen Pixel Buds get Bluetooth certification, YouTube TV heading to PS4, 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.
Qualcomm unveils 4G-only Snapdragon 720G, 662, and 460 chipsets
Qualcomm has launched three brand new 4G-only chips aimed at improving connectivity in areas where 5G adoption is likely to be low. The brand new Snapdragon 720G, 662, and 460 chips offer faster 4G internet speeds with extended hardware features.
Expand Expanding CloseDigital Wellbeing gains a 30-minute pause for Wind Down mode
The Wind Down feature that comes as part of Google’s Digital Wellbeing tracking feature is now getting a 30-minute pause option.
OnePlus 7T: 5 reasons to still pick up the cut-price flagship [Video]
The OnePlus 7T is arguably the best mainline OnePlus phone to date for a wide variety of reasons.
9to5Google Daily 376: OnePlus 8 Pro appears in first hands-on pics, EMUI 10 update schedule announced, 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.
Supposed OnePlus 8 Pro 120Hz display settings, punch-hole leaked in hands-on photo
We already know that OnePlus is planning on slapping an ever higher 120 Hz refresh rate AMOLED display into the upcoming OnePlus 8 Pro.
You can now customize your Android 10 gesture experience with gesturePlus
If you have fully switched over to use the new Android 10 gestures, you might be wishing you could customize them even just a little bit.
Google Chrome on Android may soon add ability to copy images directly to your clipboard
Chrome on Android might be preinstalled as standard, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best mobile (and desktop) browsers. Tons of new features have been added to the Android-version of Chrome over time, and one that might soon be added is the ability to copy images directly to your device clipboard.
Samsung Electronics appoints Roh Tae-moon as its new mobile chief
Samsung Electronics has appointed Roh Tae-moon as its new mobile chief, who will take over from DJ Koh in a move aimed at tackling the growing pressure from Chinese smartphone manufacturers on the Korean firm.
WhatsApp is only the second non-Google Android app to hit 5 billion installs
There are only a few apps on the Google Play Store to have reached the mythical 5 billion install figure, bar some of the pre-installed Google options. Third-party messaging app WhatsApp is now only the second non-Google app to do so, having amassed the figure over a decade on Android and the Play Store.
Huawei partners with TomTom for mapping data as a Google Maps alternative
With Huawei basically blocked from using Google services and infrastructure, the firm has taken steps to replace Google Maps on its hardware by signing a partnership with TomTom to provide maps, navigation, and traffic data to Huawei apps.
Samsung Galaxy S20 rumors: Everything we know so far [Video]
The rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S20 are rife and we’ve sifted through the noise to filter out everything that you need to know ahead of the official launch event — Unpacked 2020.
9to5Google Daily 375: Steam is coming to ChromeOS, POCO goes solo and Duo on web doesn’t need a number
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.
POCO splits from Xiaomi to become completely independent brand
Xiaomi has spun off its popular POCO sub-brand into an independent brand in its own right.
The stable Android 10 update now rolling out for the LG V50 ThinQ in Korea
Right on the heels of the LG G8 ThinQ receiving the Android 10 update, the LG V50 ThinQ is now joining the update party in South Korea.
Facebook is reportedly shelving plans to show ads in WhatsApp messenger
We have some good news from Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, the firm is planning to drop its controversial plan for ads within WhatsApp messenger.
9to5Google Daily 374: All of the Pixel 4a info, Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge now available, and 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.