Android 14 Developer Preview 2 is now available, and it wouldn’t be an early access build without Google making Media player tweaks.
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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.
YouTube eases demonetization rules when creators use profanity
YouTube is to ease the rules surrounding the use of profanity in videos after introducing new stipulations in late 2022.
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Samsung Galaxy S23 series belatedly joins official ARCore support list
After the delay in adding the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 series to the official ARCore support list, Samsung’s latest flagship Galaxy S23 series and a few more flagships have also been added.
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Google celebrates International Women’s Day 2023 with Doodle and homepage easter egg
Google is celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 not only with a homepage Doodle but an animated easter egg.
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Galaxy Note 9 gets unexpected update w/ February 2023 security patch
Despite support officially ending in late 2022 after four years, the Galaxy Note 9 has received a surprise update with the February 2023 security patch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoodNotes arrives on Android in beta, but only for Samsung tablets
One of the best note-taking apps for iOS — GoodNotes — is launching an Android beta for selected Samsung tablets.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube is removing overlay ads on videos from April 6, 2023
YouTube is changing the way some ads are shown on videos very soon with the removal of “Overlay ads” from content starting April 6.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 6a, 7, and 7 Pro finally join official ARCore support list
Almost half a year after the launch of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the latest flagship devices from Google are now officially part of the ARCore support list alongside the Pixel 6a.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (2) likely to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip per exec slip-up
A Qualcomm executive has more or less confirmed that the upcoming Nothing Phone (2) will not be powered by the firm’s current top-tier processor, but instead it’ll rely on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Ear (2) earbuds set to launch March 22
The second-generation Nothing Ear (2) earbuds will launch on March 22 as the company confirmed an upcoming unveiling.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing OS 1.5: Top new features in Android 13 for Phone (1) [Video]
After a protracted wait, Nothing OS 1.5 is now available for the Phone (1), and we have been diving into the top new features.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch 6 battery increases likely, according to leak
We could get yet another battery gain for the Galaxy Watch 6, according to a leak of the internal cells of the upcoming wearable.
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Google Doodle celebrates St. David’s Day 2023
Today’s limited Google Doodle is celebrating St. David’s Day 2023 or Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant in Wales and, by extension, the United Kingdom.
Expand Expanding CloseXiaomi 13 Pro vs. Pixel 7 Pro: Hardware prowess or software tuning? [Video]
The Pixel 7 Pro is the biggest, boldest Google phone to date, but how does it stack up against the recently released Xiaomi 13 Pro? Here’s everything you need to know.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung February 2023 update rolling out for these Galaxy devices
Even though Samsung has just launched the Galaxy S23 series, the Korean company has not forgotten about its predecessors. A growing number of Samsung Galaxy devices are getting the February 2023 Android security update – here’s the full list.
Expand Expanding CloseShortwave brings OpenAI’s GPT-3 to Gmail with automated email summaries
Getting the gist of what a long email thread is set to get easier as third-party email client Shortwave is now utilizing the power of OpenAI’s GPT-3 to create thread summaries in your Gmail inbox.
Expand Expanding Close[Update: Fix coming March] This YouTube video can cause Pixel 7 to instantly crash and reboot
A weird bug is affecting selected Pixel devices including the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro that sees some devices crash and soft reboot when a specific YouTube video is opened.
Expand Expanding CloseMIUI 14: Here’s every Xiaomi device confirmed to get Android 13
After officially launching the Xiaomi 13 Pro at MWC 2023, the Chinese tech giant confirmed the MIUI 14 based on the Android 13 update is coming to a number of devices very soon.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on with Spigen and Caseology’s accessories for Pixel Watch [Video]
If there is one thing (besides the battery life) of the Pixel Watch that we lament, it’s the distinct lack of reputable accessories for the wearable. However, in recent months Spigen and its subsidiary Caseolgy have launched Pixel Watch accessories including cases, covers, and integrated straps. We’ve spent time with them to find out if they are any good.
Expand Expanding CloseVivaldi 5.7 for Android now supports YouTube background playback for non-Premium users
The latest Vivaldi 5.7 update for Android has now added support for YouTube background video playback even for non-Premium subscribers.
Expand Expanding CloseSome of our favorite watch faces for Pixel Watch [Video]
There’s a lot to love about the Pixel Watch including the default watch faces that Google designed. However, thanks to the Play Store, there are hundreds that you can install and customize to suit your own style. Here is a short list of some of our favorites.
Expand Expanding CloseOne UI 5.1 hands-on: What’s new for existing Samsung Galaxy devices? [Video]
While the Galaxy S23 series has launched with One UI 5.1 pre-installed, existing Samsung Galaxy phones are now eligible to update. Here’s everything new and what you can expect to see on your Samsung phone.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus 11 vs. Pixel 7: Best budget flagship battle [Video]
The first wave of early-2023 flagship Android phones has arrived, and although not competing at the top end of the price spectrum, the OnePlus 11 offers a lot of premium features. At $699, how does the OnePlus 11 stack up against the $599 Pixel 7 though? Here’s everything you need to know.
Expand Expanding CloseOxygenOS A.07 rolls out as first post-launch update for OnePlus 11 w/ January patch
The first post-launch update is now rolling out for the OnePlus 11. OxygenOS A.07 based upon Android 13 brings with it lots of software tweaks for the OnePlus 11, but annoyingly only adds last month’s January security patch.
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