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.
Those wanting a smart home speaker sans charge can now grab a free Google Nest Mini in the UK as long as they have an eligible Spotify Premium account.
The Motorola Moto One 5G has now been quietly unveiled in the United States, with the smartphone essentially being a rebrand of the Motorola G 5G Plus that was released in European markets earlier this month.
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Pokemon Go is set to end support for older Android device from October, meaning that if you’re hanging on to an older handset, now is the time to upgrade.
The growth of IoT tech like the Google Assistant is one that we often don’t notice. Google is now claiming that its industry-leading Assistant is now compatible with more than 50,000 devices available from more than 5,500 brands.
As we approach fall 2020, the gaming release schedule should soon be heating up ahead of the holiday period. August 2020 has seen Stadia prepare to hit the ground running ahead of time, while more games have hit the service too!
The first press render of the upcoming Sony Xperia 5 II has leaked, giving us a glimpse at the follow-up to one of the most impressive Sony-branded smartphones in recent years.
The recently released OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, Motorola Edge+, LG V60 ThinQ, and even the unreleased Motorola One Fusion+ have now all been added to the YouTube Signature device list.
The very first proper August Pixel Buds Feature Drop has, well, dropped bringing with it a slew of new features that take one of the best Google Pixel companions and makes them even harder to ignore.