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.
The LG V50 ThinQ looks to be a great handset and has all the hallmarks of an excellent device. The problem is that unlike the LG G8 ThinQ, it really doesn’t have any truly standout features unless you count the optional folding gamepad as part of the entire package.
There are very few gimmicks on phones that we haven’t already seen, but LG has brought a few new tricks to the table with the unveiling of the LG G8 ThinQ that in practice look less like gimmicks and more like glimpses into the future.
Expand Expanding Close
South Korean tech giant LG unveiled two brand new handsets at a dedicated launch event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The first being the LG V50 ThinQ.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Let me first preface this by saying I have plenty of patience and time (pun intended) for Wear OS. The issue is that it often leaves you wanting more. Tizen on most Samsung smartwatches though is arguably miles better. Which is why when I had the opportunity to for a quick Samsung Galaxy Watch Active hands-on — emphasis on the quick — I jumped at the chance.
Yes, Android tablets still exist. The problem is that they exist in a sort of purgatory between zero support and somewhat waning demand. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e likely won’t change that, but in all honesty, it seems a nice tablet that might have a market after all.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Just because the Samsung overload wasn’t quite done, there is more news about the sometimes infuriating Bixby button. Older Galaxy devices will receive an update to match the Galaxy S10’s ability to remap the button to a favored app in the coming weeks.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Finally, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are getting the full stable release of Android Pie and all that One UI brings with it. The update appears to be rolling out in stages with reports via Reddit that much of Northern Europe has begun seeing the OTA appear.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ were always going to have top-tier cameras. Camera review stalwarts DxOMark have released their definitive review on just what to expect from the Samsung Galaxy S10 camera.
Expand
Expanding
Close
During the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2019 keynote, at least at the UK launch, there was not a great deal of fanfare for the brand new Samsung Galaxy S10e. The device is set to be a slightly cheaper S10 model that includes much of the same internal specs, but with a few exclusions to help lower that entry price.
There really isn’t a lot that we didn’t already know about before going hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+. A solid month of leaks and a steady stream of information hasn’t left much to the imagination, but that doesn’t mean the devices have no surprises.
Huawei might not be making waves in the United States due to fears over spying and links to the Chinese state, but there is no doubt that the brand makes some of the most interesting and feature-rich handsets on the market. The Chinese tech giant is set to unveil the Huawei P30 and Huawei P30 Pro at a Paris launch event on March 26th.
Samsung has struggled to keep a lid on the leaks in recent days, as even ahead of the official launch tomorrow we are getting yet more information. A recent official Samsung Galaxy S10 launch ad has now leaked on Norwegian TV ahead of Unpacked and confirms a number of features that we were already aware of.
The Google Home ecosystem grows and grows, as does the usefulness of the Google Assistant itself. The announcement at CES means that you can tap into the power of Google Translate and use it for live conversations with those speaking another language.
Expand
Expanding
Close
Anyone with an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ in the US should now be getting a taste of the Android Pie update with all that One UI goodness thrown in on top.
We thought the Pixel 3 might have been the most leaked device in the history of smartphones, but the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10 might be running it close. Now an early hands-on video from Tech Radar’s Matt Swider has found its way onto YouTube ahead of the device’s launch.
The Samsung Galaxy S7 might be three years old, but like the Galaxy S6, it is still getting support from the South Korean tech giant. Samsung Galaxy S7 users in the United Kingdom and Austria have been receiving the February 2019 security patch, which is rolling out right now (via SamMobile).
Samsung has been relentless with the updates as of late and shows no signs of letting up with the February security patch now rolling out to the Galaxy Note 9.
We’re merely days away from the ‘official’ unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S10 and all its brethren at Unpacked 2019. We’re expecting more than just a few phones to be announced, so here is everything we’ve seen leaked, learned, and expect to happen come February 20th.
It’s amazing that Android tablets are still a thing in 2019, but even so, Samsung has unveiled a brand new Android tablet in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e which bears an almost uncanny resemblance to the iPad Pro.
Expand
Expanding
Close
The Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are getting a fourth Android Pie beta update, which is rolling out right now.
We are in Samsung news overdrive ahead of Unpacked 2019, which means yet more leaks and tidbits — almost hourly it seems at this point. The latest leaks are of the entire upcoming Samsung wearable lineup in the form of the Galaxy Fit E, Galaxy Watch Active, and the Galaxy Buds.
We’ve seen the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 get four separate Android Pie beta programs prior to this point. Now, unlocked Note 8 users in Eastern Europe are seeing the full One UI OTA hit their devices.
Expand
Expanding
Close
A new software update is rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ that brings the February security patch plus a few other features that includes the ability to schedule Night mode (via Reddit user /u/iamnotkurtcobain / SamMobile).
Expand
Expanding
Close
Samsung made plenty of jibes at Apple for including a notch on the iPhone X only to then slap a notch on the Galaxy M20 18 months later. The device was initially only available to Indian and select Asian markets, but now it looks set to head to Europe in the coming months.
Expand
Expanding
Close