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.
Google has had a number of near misses with product lineups over the years. Lackluster quality control or problematic areas have always let things down a little. 2022 has seen an inward look and closer attention paid to the finer details, and the Pixel 7 series is a testament to that and to a somewhat greater extent, so are the Pixel Buds Pro earbuds.
Expand Expanding Close
Just a few short days after launching the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, Qualcomm has quietly unveiled the Snapdragon 782G mid-ranger chipset for Android devices.
Expand Expanding Close
There is more to your home than meets the eye. Some of your regular old appliances and non-smart technology can tap into the power of the Google Assistant, and we have the perfect gifts to turn friends, relatives, or your own home into a certified Google smart home.
Expand Expanding Close
Carl Pei has taken to Twitter to tease Nothing OS 1.5.0, which looks to be based upon Android 13, with an upcoming beta for Phone (1) likely coming “soon” according to the company founder.
Expand Expanding Close
Honor has officially unveiled the Magic Vs, its foldable for late 2022 and early 2023 with a number of improvements and an enticingly low entry-price.
Expand Expanding Close
After Qualcomm announced and detailed the brand-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it didn’t take long for Android OEMs to confirm that they will slap the latest and greatest CPU in their smartphones. Here’s what you need to know.
Expand Expanding Close
The first Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered smartphone is now official. The terribly named Vivo X90 Pro+ has been unveiled in China alongside the X90 Pro and X90.
Expand Expanding Close
When you’re looking for a complete home cleaning companion that doesn’t break the bank, the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro could be considered a Google Home Essential.
Expand Expanding Close
A newly released ad timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup highlights all of the inclusive Pixel 7 functions while subtly digging at the controversial decision to host the tournament in Qatar.
Expand Expanding Close
Over a month after the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro release, we now have the first “official” custom ROM for the latest flagships courtesy of Paranoid Android.
Expand Expanding Close
2022 — and by extension 2023 — is a big year for Wear OS with Google entering the market with the Pixel Watch, but how does it stack up against the market-leading Galaxy Watch 5? Here’s everything you need to know.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube for Android TV is now receiving a fresh new startup or splash loading screen when launching the app from cold.
Expand Expanding Close
OnePlus is now rolling out the stable Android 13-based OxygenOS 13 update for a number of former flagships including the OnePlus 8, 8 Pro, and 8T.
Expand Expanding Close
Although no official confirmation has come forth, the Lenovo Tab Extreme has been unearthed with an early listing on the Google Play Console.
Expand Expanding Close
As one of the best mobile video editors, LumaFusion is now widely available on Android and ChromeOS courtesy of any early access phase. We’ve gone hands-on to see just how it holds up after bridging the iOS-Android/ChromeOS divide.
Expand Expanding Close
Today’s Google Doodle seen in limited regions celebrates the Angklung, which is a unique bamboo musical instrument that is played in Indonesia.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s growing Galaxy A-series lineup is a triumph of function and affordability that fuses flagship features with modest prices and impressive traits. The next device coming is the Galaxy A54, which has been showcased in 3D cased-based renders showing some notable upgrades.
Expand Expanding Close
A supposed sample zoom shot from the at-yet-unannounced Galaxy S23 Ultra shows some improvements over the current-gen Galaxy S22 Ultra and even Google’s Pixel 7 Pro.
Expand Expanding Close
It’s not just flagship smartphone specifications that are in the crosshairs of leakers, as we now have a better idea of what OnePlus’s next affordable Android will offer. A proposed full set of specs for the OnePlus Nord CE 3 have leaked laying the upcoming device bare.
Expand Expanding Close
Last year we saw the first fully Leica-branded smartphone, but now we have a follow-up. The Leica Leitz Phone 2 has quietly gone on sale in Japan a year since the first generation was unveiled.
Expand Expanding Close
If you’ve picked up the Google Pixel 7 Pro, you’ll want to protect your prized possession. Since launch we’ve tested a number of cases and are some of the very best for the Pixel 7 Pro.
Expand Expanding Close
With the World Cup very much on the horizon, Waze is helping soccer (football) fans celebrate with directions in the style of a match commentator.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is no stranger to brand partnerships and limited editions, the latest such collaboration is the addition of a Galaxy Z Flip 4 Maison Margiela Edition.
Expand Expanding Close
The budget-oriented Realme 10 has now officially launched with modest and interesting specifications for a low-priced Android phone.
Expand Expanding Close