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.
While Google has effectively dropped the public-facing dessert names for Android builds, in years prior a new themed statue would appear outside the Mountain View base to coincide with a new software release. It seems that in recent days, Google has removed all of the Android dessert-themed statues from the tech giant’s headquarters.
Expand Expanding Close
After a brief Open Beta period, the stable OxygenOS update atop Android 12 is now rolling out for the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, 8T, and the OnePlus 9R.
Expand Expanding Close
It’s hard to believe that a month after the first developer-focused build, Android 13 Developer Preview 2 is now available with a whole host of new features and functions. Here is a shortlist of some of the best.
Expand Expanding Close
Alongside the Galaxy A53 5G, Samsung has also unveiled two more affordable Android phones in the guise of the Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A73 5G.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung has unveiled the latest affordable Android phones in the guise of the Galaxy A33 5G and Galaxy A53 5G. Just what is different between the duo and do you miss out on anything on the cheaper model? Let’s find out.
Expand Expanding Close
Twitter has acknowledged the issues surrounding video uploads and the associated processing on Android and has confirmed that a fix is coming.
Expand Expanding Close
The latest UI test for YouTube on mobile makes yet more adjustments to the autoplay “Playback in feed” feature to make this more immersive.
Expand Expanding Close
Xiaomi’s impressive sales records in recent years have been built upon the back of successful flagship-level devices such as the 12 Pro and Mi 11 Ultra — but which is the better device?
Expand Expanding Close
After launching first in China at the end of 2021, the Xiaomi 12 series has now been officially unveiled for global markets.
Expand Expanding Close
Thanks to an unofficial build of LineageOS 18.1, the latest Android TV 11 builds can be sideloaded onto third-generation Amazon Fire TV hardware.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung has set March 17 as the date for the unveiling of the next wave of Galaxy A-series smartphones.
Expand Expanding Close
All of the very best third-party Android launchers offer something unique, be that customization or even a minimal aesthetic. Here are the best to install on your Android phone in 2022 – and beyond.
Expand Expanding Close
It probably doesn’t need to be said, but the delayed update schedule for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro not only hurts those of us that value prompt support. It cheapens and chips away at the perceived “flagship” experience being sold to prospective buyers.
Expand Expanding Close
After news that custom ROM project ProtonAOSP offers Pixel 6 owners the opportunity to run Android 12L ahead of the official stable release, GrapheneOS is the second such ROM to offer the latest build ahead of Google.
Expand Expanding Close
As a way to accrue some free Play Store credit by answering surveys and questionnaires, Google Opinion Rewards is a neat application to have on your Android device. Since its launch, the app is now available in over 30 countries with a further five being added in recent days.
Expand Expanding Close
As part of its almost constant evolution, the Google Photos app for Android is set to gain expanded Portrait Blur effects which will work on older images and even more subjects.
Expand Expanding Close
To help aide those that suffer from hearing impairments Google is now expanding the Live Transcribe feature to work completely offline.
Expand Expanding Close
Ethically minded smartphone maker Fairphone is now pushing out Android 10 to 2015’s Fairphone 2 and, in turn, offering the longest support period for any Android smartphone to date.
Expand Expanding Close
While we await Android 12L for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the ProtonAOSP custom ROM has managed to beat Google to the punch with version 12.3.0.
Expand Expanding Close
OnePlus promises to deliver regular system updates for its wide array of smartphones for at least two years and in some cases longer for flagships, so let’s see how they’re handling the February 2022 security update.
Expand Expanding Close
If you have amassed a large pile of Google Play Points, you can use your existing balance for purchases on the Play Store.
Expand Expanding Close
After recent leaks and teases, Carl Pei’s Nothing is moving closer to a follow-up to the ear(1) earbuds with March 23 event planned to discuss the future “product roadmap” which could include an Android-powered smartphone.
Expand Expanding Close
While we’re very much anticipating a new wave of affordable Samsung A-series smartphones, the low-end lineup has increased with the launch of the Galaxy F23 in India.
Expand Expanding Close
Last week we asked you — our readers — to tell us just what area you are hoping to see the biggest or most notable upgrades for the Pixel 7 series. The results are interesting, to say the least…
Expand Expanding Close