Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

Android 16 QPR2’s New Expanded Dark Theme Can Force All Apps to Darkness

Kellen August 20, 2025 10

In the new Android 16 QPR2 Beta, Google has added a new “Expanded” option in the dark theme settings area that “Automatically applies Dark theme to more apps for improved accessibility.” If you had any holdout apps who refused to add a properly supported dark...

Android 16 QPR2 Finally Can Lightly Theme All of Your App Icons

Kellen August 20, 2025 2

As a part of the new Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 that dropped this week, Google said they were adding an "Auto-Themed App Icons" feature. We fired up the beta and immediately looked for this first, as Google's attempt at icon theming up until this point has been...

Android 16 Lock Screen Widgets - Pixel Tablet

Android 16 QPR2 Adds Lock Screen Widgets to Phones Again

Kellen August 20, 2025 2

Lock Screen widgets are fully back! In the first Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 that was just released, Google added a toggle in lock screen settings on phones to allow "Widgets on lock screen." We've come full circle on this feature, after Google removed them so many...

Gemini Coming to Replace Google Assistant on Google Home Devices

Tim August 20, 2025 20

Huge news this afternoon, on top of the Pixel 10 announcement and Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 release, Google has confirmed that Gemini is coming to replace Google Assistant on the company's lineup of smart speakers and displays. Slated for early access release in...

What’s New in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1!

Kellen August 20, 2025 8

Google has already had a wild enough day with the unveiling of its new hardware line-up, but they apparently weren't satisfied with just that. To top off the day, Google has released Android 16 QPR2 with a first Beta 1 build for all of its current Pixel...

Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 Released for Pixel Devices

Tim August 20, 2025 1

If today wasn't fun enough, Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 for Pixel devices. It's available for the Pixel 9 series back to the Pixel 6 series, bringing a lot of new things to check out. Highlights in the changelog include an expanded dark theme,...

Here’s When the Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4 Actually Ship to You

Kellen August 20, 2025 12

You read through all that was announced today from Google and you might want to order a variety of items. From the Pixel 10 to the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a, everything is up for pre-order right now. However, not everything is shipping at the same time,...

Pixelsnap is Here as Qi2 for Pixel 10 Series, and Yes, Magnets are Built-in

Kellen August 20, 2025 13

Google's Pixel 10 series is essentially the first major Android phone line-up to truly embrace Qi2 wireless charging by building the magnets into the phone. We all know that Samsung found a little carve-out for their "Qi2 Ready" nonsense on Galaxy S25 and Fold...

It’s Time for One UI 8 Updates on Your Galaxy S25 Series

Kellen September 15, 2025 13

After several beta builds and an expansion to more devices, Samsung announced today that stable Galaxy S25 One UI 8 updates...

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Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL Review: Still the Best in Android

Kellen September 12, 2025 13

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL have been out for a couple of weeks now and we've been testing them for even longer. If...

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Pixel 10 Review: It’s a Pixel 9, But With Magnets

Tim September 11, 2025 13

Apologies for the delay, but here's what you've been waiting for. We have had time to use the Pixel 10 for the past couple of...

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Oh, Google Apparently Pulled Daily Hub on the Pixel 10 Series

Kellen September 9, 2025 13

Apologies if I had any part in its demise, but apparently Google has pulled the Daily Hub feature from its Pixel 10 series....

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Nova Launcher Founder Asked to Step Away, Cease Open Sourcing Efforts

Tim September 8, 2025 13

Kevin Barry, the founder and original developer of Nova Launcher is stepping away from the forever-loved Android launcher app...

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Here’s the Galaxy S26 Edge

Tim September 5, 2025 13

It was only yesterday when we got eyes on the Galaxy S26 lineup of devices in the form of dummy units. As we expected, the...

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OnePlus Creating Own Imaging Engine, Wants to Pass Pinch-to-Zoom Test

Tim September 5, 2025 13

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau wrote a letter yesterday, detailing plans for the Android OEM to build and launch its very own imaging...

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Pixel Drop Live Today, Brings Material Expressive 3 UI to All Pixel Phones

Tim September 3, 2025 13

Google announced the latest Pixel Drop this morning, headed to all Pixel phones dating back to the Pixel 6 lineup (and Pixel...

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Google’s Latest Ad Pokes at iPhone for Copying Its Features, iPhone 17 Rumors

Kellen May 6, 2025 10

The iPhone 17 won't arrive for months, likely after Google releases its Pixel 10 series. For the most part, all talk around...

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Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023 10

Some of you have been lucky enough to receive your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro pre-orders a day early, thanks to Google's wildly...

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Pixel Watch 2 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen October 11, 2023 10

The Pixel Watch 2 has been on my wrist for a full week and my list of notes has only grown. I've tested sleep tracking, put...

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Video: Galaxy Z Flip 5, Z Fold 5 Unboxing!

Tim July 27, 2023 10

Samsung was gracious enough to send us its latest foldables devices, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Naturally,...

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Google Pixel 7a Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen May 10, 2023 10

Because the Google Pixel 7a is available today for you to run out and buy at $499, you may not want to wait around for our...

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VIDEO: Galaxy S23 Ultra Unboxing!

Tim February 3, 2023 10

Unboxing time, baby! We have the Galaxy S23 Ultra in-house, a bit before they're set to make their way to buyers later this...

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Pixel 7 Pro: First 10 Things to Do!

Tim October 13, 2022 10

Fancy new Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro just show up at your doorstep? Perfect, then this video is for you. As is tradition, we've...

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Pixel Watch: First 10 Things To Do!

Kellen October 13, 2022 10

The day that most of you will receive your Google Pixel Watch from pre-orders is here. It's time for you to slap Google's...

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