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.
Nubia has officially launched the firm’s latest gaming phone for 2023 in global regions. The RedMagic 8 Pro looks set to offer mobile gamers even more under-the-hood power with an impressively low asking price.
Expand Expanding Close
Although limited availability means that not every market is able to purchase Xiaomi devices, the Chinese firm has built a big following where on sale. For owners of the Xiaomi 12 series, the stable MIUI 14 update based on Android 13 is now beginning to roll out.
Expand Expanding Close
As smartphones continue to balloon in size, be that in terms of dimensions or smaller screen bezels, utilizing the split-screen mode makes it easier to manage. The split-screen process has been altered slightly in Android 13, but we’re going to show you just how to master this extra mode.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s reignition of the Wear OS market over 18 months ago has been great for the smartwatch space. With Google also entering the smart wearable market for the first time, it puts pressure on Samsung to up its game. The Galaxy Watch 5 has been the Wear OS leader since its release, but how has it held up? We’ve spent an extended period with the watch to find out.
Expand Expanding Close
At a time when Android OEMs are steadily increasing device support windows, it’s impressive to see that a device from 2015 is only now hitting the end-of-life phase. The device in question is the Fairphone 2, which is set to be unsupported from March 2023.
Expand Expanding Close
Almost four years after originally coming to market, the OnePlus 7, 7 Pro, 7T, and 7T Pro are now officially at the end-of-life phase with one final OxygenOS update.
Expand Expanding Close
If you’ve recently picked up the Google Pixel 7, it almost goes without saying that you’ll want to protect your prized possession. Since the device’s official launch, we’ve tested a number of cases and shortlisted some of the very best for the Pixel 7.
Expand Expanding Close
Picking an Android email client is never easy, but Spark offers some neat functionality courtesy of a new Android 13 facelift.
Expand Expanding Close
The Polestar 2 is now able to access voice controls from your Google Assistant-powered devices including the Nest Hub, Nest Audio, and many more.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is back at CES for the first time in several years. To highlight several of the big software announcements, there’s a huge Android booth for attendees to visit. Not everyone is able to attend CES in Las Vegas, but we’ve made things a little easier by touring it for you.
Expand Expanding Close
Qualcomm has partnered with communications firm Iridium and Garmin to introduce Snapdragon Satellite, an upcoming service that leverages GPS and satellite communications to enable two-way SMS texting when in rural areas or regions without regular cell service coverage.
Expand Expanding Close
Nvidia GeForce Now is set to be the first game streaming service available on Android Automotive as it is confirmed to be coming to Polestar 3 later this year along with several other vehicles.
Expand Expanding Close
After months of expansive leaks and rumors, the OnePlus 11 has now officially launched in China.
Expand Expanding Close
Alongside the OnePlus 11, the Chinese firm has officially launched the Buds Pro 2 in China with enhanced audio over the predecessor.
Expand Expanding Close
The never-ending comparisons of Android and iOS continue as we are going to give you some of our reasons for choosing Google’s mobile operating system over Apple’s closed ecosystem.
Expand Expanding Close
In the world of third-party Android ROMs, LineageOS is among the most popular. Months after Android 13 was officially released for Pixel phones, LineageOS 20 has arrived based upon the latest mobile OS.
Expand Expanding Close
The idea that some apps are “must-haves” or “essential” for your Android phone is bound to be subjective, especially with millions to mull over and choose from.
Expand Expanding Close
Your smartphone knows a lot about you, and in some cases, too much. Certain features and settings are enabled on Android by default that we think you might want to disable them right now.
Expand Expanding Close
Getting the most from your smartphone can be a confusing and frustrating, but with just a few taps or tweaks, you can enable some settings to eke a little more from your Android.
Expand Expanding Close
In-built into Android is a number of Developer options that allow you to go beyond the regular user-facing functionality to get even greater control over your daily experience – here are some of our tips to get the most from your phone.
Expand Expanding Close
The past 12 months have been relatively innocuous for Android, but there have been high points. We asked you what you rate as your “Phone of the Year” for 2022 and, now, we have a winner…
Expand Expanding Close
The latest wave of Samsung Galaxy phones is receiving the most recent December 2022 security update. Here’s just how the Korean tech giant is handling the rollout.
Expand Expanding Close
Nothing has hit the ground running with the Phone (1). The firm’s first smartphone ships with a close-to-AOSP build, but it has taken longer than expected to release Nothing OS 1.5 atop Android 13. Just what’s new and does this improve the experience? We’ve gone hands-on to find out.
Expand Expanding Close
If we were to be completely honest, 2022 has been a fairly modest year for the Android platform – especially for Google. That’s not to say we haven’t had impressive new entrants, upgrades, and new releases, and one must be crowned “Phone of the Year” for 2022 by you – our readers.
Expand Expanding Close