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.
We always say that when installing an Android beta update you should proceed with caution, and that most definitely appears to be the case with the Android Q Beta 3 which has a few tiny teething issues.
A main focus point of I/O 2019 was enhanced accessibility options and controls, with Live Relay and Live captions being stand out inclusions that require no internet connection to work.
We spend way too much time on our devices and while Digital Wellbeing does help, the new ‘Focus Mode’ should help eliminate our most distracting mobile apps to help us stay on track.
Google Maps AR walking directions is now rolling out to all Pixel smartphones after being announced at I/O 2019.
The renamed and rebranded Home Hub is now the Google Next Hub with the price now starting at just $129 with availability now increased to a further 12 markets globally alongside support for nine more languages.
The Google Assistant is heading to Waze within the next few weeks, giving you the ability to control a wide array of aspects of your device while using the driving navigation application.
The Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL will be available in the UK from day one at EE, the Carphone Warehouse and Vodafone; three of the largest smartphone retailers in the nation.
The OnePlus 3 and 3T might finally have a full-fat taste of Pie on the horizon as OnePlus is now rolling out the second Android Pie Community beta to devices enrolled in the program.
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We are on the very cusp of the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro launch but this isn’t a review of those devices, instead, we’re going to take a look at the fantastic OnePlus 6T six months after its initial release.
One of the best new camera features to come with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL was Top Shot. The feature snaps a ton of pictures and then picks out the very best, least blurry option from a selection. But Google has confirmed to Android Police that Top Shot will not come to older Pixel 2 models.
The idea that headphones have to be utilitarian pieces of audio equipment has quickly been eroded as more and more Bluetooth headphones have hit the market. With a history of ‘premium’ products behind them, the Moshi Avanti Air are arguably one of the coolest, retro-inspired on-ear Bluetooth headphone options out there right now.
Thanks to leaked renders courtesy of Evan Blass AKA @evleaks, we’ve now had a glimpse of the upcoming Motorola Moto Z4 in all of its modular glory.
With the official US launch of the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL set for May 7 during Google I/O 2019, we are merely days away. We were expecting an Indian launch for the mid-range handsets, and thanks to online retailer Flipkart, it seems we have an official Pixel 3a launch date of May 8 in the country (via FoneArena).
For anyone enrolled in the OxygenOS Open Beta for their OnePlus 5/5T or OnePlus 6/6T, the latest update should bring some interesting new changes for all four handsets.
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OnePlus has really come of age over the past 12 months. The release of the OnePlus 6 and then the 6T has really cemented them as a serious player in the smartphone space. With the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro on the horizon though, we’ve collated a huge array of rumors into one convenient place.
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We’re hitting peak leak season with the OnePlus 7 Pro, and next up is the official retail packaging which also gives us a glimpse at some yet-to-be-announced accessories in the form of OnePlus Wireless Bullet 2 and a Warp Charge 30 in-car charger.
A new report by Bloomberg claims that telecom giant Vodafone had found potential hidden backdoor vulnerabilities in Huawei equipment, but the claims have been refuted the carrier.
If you cast your mind back, at MWC 2019 the chonky boi Energizer P18K Pop managed to steal some of the limelight with a massive 18,000mAh battery. Well, even despite the supposed interest, Energizer failed to raise even 1% of its goal on Indiegogo.
Despite the stellar reviews and supposed solid sales of the Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung as a company looks to be going through a rough patch. Samsung’s first-quarter earnings report shows that profits have tumbled 60 percent compared to the previous period last year.
Motorola has a habit of releasing solid affordable options in a number of markets, the Moto E5 line was one such example. The Lenovo-owned brand is now readying a successor to the aforementioned device with the Motorola Moto E6.
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The upcoming Motorola RAZR V4 has appeared in some seriously sketchy renders and showcases much of what we have expected based upon previous leaks.
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In the latest major update to the popular third-party Android launcher, Action Launcher v40 has now added a new ad-supported search model alongside a number of notable updates and improvements.
Sony Mobile needs a real winner, as judging by the latest financial reports, the company is facing yet more cuts to its workforce.
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When the Huawei P30 Pro launched, the keynote talked of the ability to dual record using the fantastic zoom lens setup. That wasn’t available at launch, but via the EMUI 9.1.0.53 update, P30 Pro users can now use the dual-view video recording mode in full.