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.
Whilst we’re seeing almost all variants of the Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9 finally get Android Pie, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are still in beta land waiting for a full update.
Expand
Expanding
Close
LG’s smartphone division has announced poorer than expected fourth quarter results as it failed to post a profit over the last two years and smartphone sales continue to tumble.
We’ve already had more than a glimpse of the Moto G7 thanks to a series of leaks and even Motorola dropping the ball on their own Brazilian website. Now, thanks to leaked real-life images, the Moto G7 Plus has been unearthed.
Samsung has yet again retained its crown as the top global smartphone vendor for 2018 in terms of overall global smartphone shipments despite a worldwide dip in total smartphone sales.
Yet more Samsung Android Pie update news, this time it’s the turn of Sprint users to rejoice at the rollout of the One UI update to their Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ devices.
We’ve had a wealth of news on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 over the past couple of weeks, but now we have some more in the form of the January 2019 security patch rolling out globally for the device.
Affordable home security cameras are often few and far between, even less so if you want Google Home or Google Assistant connected Wi-Fi security cameras.
The Motorola Moto G7 has appeared numerous times over the past few weeks, with even Motorola themselves slipping up and basically unveiling the lineup on the official Motorola Brazil website. With only a few days left before an official unveiling, we’re actually surprised that it has taken this long for real-life Moto G7 images to appear.
Expand
Expanding
Close
The latest wave of OxygenOS Open Beta updates are now rolling out for OnePlus 5, 5T, 6 and 6T users who are already enrolled into the program.
Expand
Expanding
Close
It seems that Gmail is currently down for quite a large portion of users across the globe with reports in Europe, North America, South America and Asia.
Expand
Expanding
Close
We recently reported news that North of the border, Canadian carrier-locked Samsung Galaxy S9 devices were scheduled to receive the Android Pie update within the next week or so.
Expand
Expanding
Close
There are a few home streaming options for anyone looking to cut the cord and move into the world of online content streaming. The problem is that not everyone initially knows what to look out for.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Yet more Android Pie update news for Samsung devices, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is officially receiving the Android Pie update for UK users (as initially reported by SamMobile).
We’ve been reporting about the Android Pie updates for the Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ and Galaxy Note 9 for some time, to the point it is likely becoming annoying to read about the delays and hold-ups.
Expand
Expanding
Close
There is a great seismic shake in our raw material consumption levels in our favorite technology, brands like Samsung are helping take the lead by making product packaging more environmentally friendly throughout 2019 and beyond.
One of the very best ways to introduce smart tech into your Google Home ecosystem is in the form of smart plugs. Fortunately, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug is a superb addition to your Google Home ecosystem.
Finally, we are seeing US Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and S8+ users get the chance to join the Android Pie beta program. Samsung has opened up the option to unlocked device owners for the time, however, that may change in the near future.
Last month, we saw Android Pie head to the Moto G6 Plus, but were disappointed that the two other devices in the G6 series were left wanting. It appears that Motorola are now gearing up for an Android Pie roll-out for the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Play.
Expand
Expanding
Close
With time dwindling away before the Samsung Unpacked 2019 event, we are now seeing a steady stream of leaks of two of the biggest devices of the year in the form of Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus. In this latest leak, we get to see the devices in two of the standard color options – ceramic black and white.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Imagine a phone with zero input ports, no buttons and an (almost) bezel-free display with a full-screen in-display fingerprint reader and 5G connectivity. Well, the Vivo Apex 2019 might only technically be a concept but Vivo is supposedly taking this exact device to Mobile World Congress next month.
Shortly after we saw the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 get a second Android Pie update, we are now seeing global S8 and S8+ users get a follow-up update to their devices.
Expand
Expanding
Close
The Moshi Porto Q is not a cheap power bank. At over $80, it does throw up the question: how much are you willing to pay for a battery bank? That’s for you to decide. Besides that, it makes for a genuinely great travel companion and is one of the best multi-use power banks I’ve personally had the pleasure of using for a number of reasons.
LG hasn’t had the best of times recently, that is despite producing one of the most underrated handsets of 2018 in the form of the LG V40. The brand has seen market share dwindle over the past two years, so some innovation is needed.
International Samsung Galaxy Note 8 users were lucky enough to get an Android Pie beta program (no word on US availability just yet) ahead of the official rollout in the coming months. Well, now anyone currently enrolled should see a second beta update OTA very shortly.