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 death of notification LEDs is one that many of us lament but with the Pixel 5, there is another annoying flashing status bar light or “dot” that early adopters are already complaining about. Do not worry though, there is a simple fix to stop it from ruining your day.
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The OnePlus 8T has only just been unveiled, but its very first update is now rolling out in the form of OxygenOS 11.0.1.2.
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Fast-charging tech has become a battleground in recent years as speeds and battery sizes have ballooned. Xiaomi is fighting back against the likes of Oppo and OnePlus with the announcement of more efficient 80W wireless charging that can top up a 4,000mAh cell in just 19 minutes.
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Although it is one of the last automotive manufacturers to add Android Auto to its vehicles, BMW is now set to bring the digitally-driven interface to approximately 750,000 cars with the iDrive 7 update.
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If you run a YouTube channel (guilty as charged!) and want to get quick stats on the go, then YouTube Studio is effectively the go-to on Android and iOS. It may need some work here and there, but now, YouTube Studio for Android has hit an impressive 100 million downloads milestone on the Google Play Store.
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While North America has to wait, some European markets already have the Pixel 5 shipping out to those that have pre-ordered early. We’ve spent 24 hours with our own retail unit to give you some of our Pixel 5 first impressions.
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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 Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Gaming fans might be highly anticipating the launch of the PS5 — which is still nearly a month away. In preparation, Sony has already updated the PS Remote Play app on Android to support PS5 console game-streaming to your smartphone.
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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 Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Mere hours after officially unveiling the OnePlus 8T, the Chinese OEM has started dropping hints and now a teaser that highly anticipated OnePlus Watch is coming soon.
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As a sort of alternative to Google’s own GCAM, Adobe Photoshop leverages AI and computational photography techniques to help you put a spin on your photos. After a long time with no updates, the v1.10 build of Photoshop Camera is now rolling out with some sensible additions.
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The drawn-out death of Google Play Music and janky transition to YouTube Music is set to get a little easier as it appears that free users are now able to download playlists containing previously migrated or uploaded music.
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Google is no stranger to making tweaks and changes to even its most popular applications and services, especially in the form of A/B tests. The latest looks to be a UI test on the Google Play Store that essentially removes the tried-and-tested side hamburger menu navigation method.
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The Pixel 4a 5G is in a funny position, as it won’t officially be available globally for a little while and in the US has two distinct price points depending on which carrier you choose. The review embargoes for the Pixel 4a 5G and the “premium” Pixel 5 have now lifted, so here’s what people are saying.
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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 Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
OnePlus has today expanded its lineup of true wireless earbuds with the OnePlus Buds Z, a slightly more affordable alternative to their standard OnePlus Buds.
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Years after wowing with AI-powered real-time chat and holding features, Google’s Duplex is now allowing some users in the US to book haircut and barbershop appointments without you ever needing to make the call yourself.
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Sony has confirmed that it will be rolling out Android Pie to 30 of its older-generation Bravia and non-Bravia smart TVs from 2016 or later.
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Thanks to a brand new toggle, YouTube for web is now able to respect your browser theme automatically rather than relying on you to flick between dark and light mode.
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The most recent October 2020 security patch is now already rolling out for the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S20 series.
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Claudia Jones, feminist, anti-racism campaigner, and the organiser of what became the pre-cursor to the immensely popular Notting Hill Carnival in London, is today being honored as today’s Google Doodle in the UK.
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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 Google Play, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
While likely not the powerhouse keyboard it once was, the latest SwiftKey is still a solid third-party keyboard. It has improved yet again as the SwiftKey beta is now able to follow your device system theme automatically thanks to the latest beta update.
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The latest Android Auto 5.7 release has already caused a few problems for people out there, the latest being with Google Assistant responses — or lack thereof.
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