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 lack of an in-the-box charger means that if you want access to faster-charging methods with the upcoming Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, then you’ll have to stump up extra cash to buy one. To our surprise, the response from you, our readers, when we asked late last week was not quite what we expected.
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Security updates are designed to keep Android devices as secure as possible, but you’re only as safe as your latest update. OnePlus does promise regular updates for its smartphones for at least two years, so let’s see how they’re handling the August 2021 security update.
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LineageOS 18.1 support is now available for another wave of devices including the impressive Poco F3 and Poco X3 Pro, plus more.
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The Pixel Buds A-Series are one of those accessories that are perfectly suited to those just wanting a no-nonsense pair of Bluetooth earbuds, and after a month or so of daily wear, I can’t help but feel that this is all they may end up being.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
As one of the best features of Google Photos and Pixel devices in general, Top Shot and the small portfolio of images captured before and after a shutter press enable you to get the finest image you might not have actually ended up with. A neat new Top Shot preview chip appears to be in testing within Google Photos that really does help find that perfect shot.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Google has confirmed that it is set to exclude the charger from the box with the upcoming Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, positing an environmental stance as the reason why. With rumors of faster charging, it might mean that to get the fastest charge speeds, you’ll now need to pick up a separate accessory.
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Introduced last year to the Android and iOS apps, YouTube’s updated outline-style icons are now available in the main player view on the Android TV version of the streaming platform.
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A Google Play Console listing has hinted at a few of the core specifications for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 FE including the chipset and RAM.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
The slow but steady evolution of WhatsApp continues with yet more features apparently in the works as evidence suggests the cross-platform messenger is set to gain a message reaction feature.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Xiaomi’s popular “Mi” series smartphones have exploded in popularity over the past few years in global markets, but it seems as though this branding may be sidelined with future releases.
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OnePlus might have promised the Android 11 update to a number of the firm’s former flagship devices, but just how many have received the latest OS build or when can you expect it to come to your phone?
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Android Automotive is the next iteration of in-car entertainment that takes the common Android Auto and builds it out specifically for vehicles.
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Listen to a short-form recap or roundup of all the top 9to5Google stories of the previous 24 hours. 9to5Google Daily is available on Spotify,Google Podcasts, Amazon, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
OxygenOS 11.1.5.5 is now rolling out for last year’s OnePlus Nord series devices with a couple of new features and the recent August 2021 security patch.
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Late last week we asked you, our readers, just whether you’re going to buy the new Pixel 5a with 5G, and we had a fairly common reply.
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Samsung may want us to focus on the recently released Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, but leaked 3D renders of the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE might be of more interest.
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Cheap Android tablets are fairly easy to find, but Motorola is set to release yet another affordable option, as a recent Play Console listing has effectively revealed the upcoming Tab G20.
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After a fairly quiet launch, the Pixel 5a with 5G is now available in a very limited capacity, and so we want to know if you are considering one, or if it’s a definite buy for you.
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The nifty disappearing messages feature in WhatsApp could soon get expanded even further, according to the latest beta build on Android.
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OxygenOS 11.0.10.10 is now rolling out for the OnePlus 8T, with this update touting a fairly prompt August 2021 security patch and some added features.
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