Google Home and Nest speakers gain ability to make mobile calls in Australia
As of today, Google Home and Nest speakers now have the ability to make external mobile calls using voice activation, starting first with Australia.
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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.
[Update: Note 9, T-Mobile S10] September 2019 patch now rolling out to Galaxy S9, S9+
The latest update for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ is now rolling out with the September 2019 security patch along with some regular bug fixes and software stability improvements.
[Update: Colors] Huawei Mate 30 renders leak showing Pro, Lite, Porsche models ahead of launch
Considering the proximity to the official launch, we’ve not seen a great deal of the upcoming Huawei Mate 30 in the form of renders and hands-on leaks.
How to backup and restore an Android phone using a Google One account [Video]
The backup and restore process for your Android phone or tablet is now a whole lot easier if you are a Google One subscriber.
9to5Google Daily 303: The Pixel 4 will launch October 15 in NYC
Listen to a recap of all the top 9to5Google stories of the day. 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.
New leak pits Pixel 4 XL and iPhone XS Max cameras against each other [Video]
Those pesky Pixel 4 leakers are at it again, this time comparing the Pixel 4 XL camera against the last-gen iPhone XS Max — with some interesting if predictable results.
OnePlus 7T series to launch first in India on Sep. 26, October 10 globally
The OnePlus 7T series is set for an official October 10 launch in the UK some days after being unveiled first at a September 26 Indian launch event.
Samsung Galaxy Fold hands-on: Redesigned but still feels unfinished [Video]
Having spent some hands-on time with the Samsung Galaxy Fold, although a superb step forward for the industry, it still manages to feel very much like a first-generation foldable smartphone.
9to5Google Daily 302: Google preps yet another messaging platform this time within Google Photos
Listen to a recap of all the top 9to5Google stories of the day. 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.
LG G8X ThinQ hands-on: The confusing approach to foldable phones [Video]
The LG G8X ThinQ builds upon a premise that we want to carry two separate displays with us at all times but manages to — at least after our short hands-on time — fail in many regards.
9to5Google Daily 301: Night Sight 2.0 samples, first Pixel 4 hands-on previews, new Nest Mini hits FCC
Listen to a recap of all the top 9to5Google stories of the day. 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.
Latest Pixel 4 leak shows new Assistant UI, Pixel Themes, more
At this point, we’ve probably seen enough of the Pixel 4 to bring you a full review. That said, a new leak has given us a closer look at the new Pixel 4 Assistant UI, Pixel Themes, and the new Face Unlock setup in action.
Google launches ‘Recover Together’ site ahead of National Recovery Month
Google has released a dedicated website to help millions of Americans gain support with identifying and overcoming addictions. The ‘Recover Together’ micro-site provides Google Maps-based search and in-depth resources for support meetings, pharmacies, and more.
Android Pie now rolling out to the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active
After an extended wait, the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active is now receiving the Android Pie update.
Hands-on with Assistant Ambient mode for Android devices [Video]
At IFA 2019, Lenovo unveiled two new Android tablets that include the new Assistant Ambient mode as standard, which enabled us to go hands-on with the new mode.
9to5Google Daily 300: Gmail gets a dark theme, Pixel 4 ‘Motion Sense’ settings uncovered
Listen to a recap of all the top 9to5Google stories of the day. 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.
Google Home app now has a ‘Call Home’ button to video call your smart displays
A new “Call Home” button is now rolling out to the Google Home app on Android that makes it easier for you to place a video call from your mobile directly to any of your Google Nest Hub devices and Smart Displays.
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Oxygen OS 9.5.13 for OnePlus 7 Pro adds Verizon’s Visible MVNO support
The latest Oxygen OS 9.5.13 update for the OnePlus 7 Pro is adding support for the Verizon-owned Visible MNVO in the United States.
[Update: Now in the Middle East] YouTube Premium expands to 7 further countries in Europe
YouTube Premium and Music now expands to a further seven European nations as the service continues to grow all over the globe and reach an even wider audience.
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Huawei Mate X hands-on: The most elegant foldable device so far [Video]
After some extended hands-on time with the Huawei Mate X, I have to admit that this is the most elegant foldable device that you might be able to buy at some point in the future — so long as you live outside of North America.
9to5Google Daily 299: Pixel 4 leaks turn into a downpour, Play Pass ‘coming soon’
Listen to a recap of all the top 9to5Google stories of the day. 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.
Google removes 24 more malware-filled apps that amassed 500,000 downloads
The Google Play Store is having a tough time at the moment with malware-filled apps and sketchy developer practices. Google has again removed 24 more malware-heavy apps from the Google Play Store with almost 500,000 downloads as it tackles the problem on its online app marketplace.
Huawei drops lawsuit against US government after return of seized equipment
Huawei has ceased pursuing its lawsuit against the US government after equipment seized in 2017 was finally returned to the Chinese tech giant.
‘Coral’ Pixel 4 leaks in hands-on video showing us new color up close [Video]
When it rains, it pours, or so it seems. We now have a closer look at the Google Pixel 4 in the upcoming “Coral” color after a short hands-on video has leaked.