Droid Life: Opinionated Android news.

IKEA Unveils Huge Lineup of New Smart Home Toys

Tim November 6, 2025 1

IKEA announced a total of 21 new Matter-enabled smart home products this week, ranging from motion sensors to temperature/humidity sensors. We didn't get specific launch dates or pricing for each product, but we do know they are coming to an IKEA store near...

TikTok Lite Made for Those With Suboptimal Internet

Tim November 5, 2025 4

TikTok, a very popular app here in the US, has a Lite version available on Google Play for Android users. Still delivering all of the core features that are offered by TikTok, the Lite version is designed to use less bandwidth to help protect your limited data...

Google’s Secret “Theme Packs” App for Pixel Phones Shows Up

Kellen November 5, 2025 4

A leak from a week ago suggested we might see Google give us a November Pixel Feature Drop with features like prioritized VIP notifications and animations out of Pixel Studio. Another potential feature was Theme Packs for Pixel devices, the first of which is...

I Bought the Galaxy XR and I’m Already Sending It Back

Kellen November 5, 2025 9

The minute that Samsung released the Galaxy XR I had to have a semi-serious conversation with myself - do you dive back into a world of VR after years away by dropping $2,000 on the first Android XR headset or do we just ignore and move on with life? Because...

Google Maps Gets Gemini Inside Navigation, Proactive Traffic Alerts

Tim November 5, 2025 6

Google Maps is getting a big dose of Gemini, with Google baking in all sorts of new AI features to make the service even more helpful. Gemini is coming to Navigation, allowing you to ask Gemini about specific things while you're driving, such as finding...

Chrome Gets Easier Access to AI Mode on Android and iOS

Kellen November 5, 2025 2

Google is making it easier than ever to access AI Mode in Chrome on both Android and iOS. A new AI Mode shortcut will present itself when you open a new tab. That's the news today from Google on AI Mode - a simple change that will put AI Mode at the ready...

T-Mobile Lights Up Text-to-911 for All Satellite Users, Including Non Customers

Tim November 5, 2025 4

Text-to-911 is a feature available to essentially all smartphone users. With it, you can text with dispatchers during an emergency, no longer needing to call and speak with someone. Starting now, T-Mobile is firing up Text-to-911 via its satellite network for...

Google Play Launches Digital Gift Card Shop

Kellen November 4, 2025 5

Google Play launched a digital gift card shop today, opening up the opportunity for you to send gift cards through the app store to friends and family. These aren't just Google Play gift cards either - Google has added gift card options for all sorts of brands...

Galaxy Z TriFold Sells Out Quick in South Korea, Even With High Price Tag

Tim December 12, 2025 5

We shouldn't be surprised, folks. Samsung launched the Galaxy Z TriFold this week in its home country of South Korea, with in...

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YouTube TV Will Offer 10 Genre-Specific Plans in 2026

Tim December 10, 2025 5

More choice and more flexibility. That's what everyone has been clamoring for lately. If you'll recall, YouTube TV used to be...

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December Pixel Watch Update Rolls Out to Pixel Watch 2 and Above

Kellen December 9, 2025 5

Google announced new features for the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Watch 4 this morning, but didn't tell us exactly how those...

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Pixel Watch 4 Updates Bring New Gestures, Smarter Smart Replies

Kellen December 9, 2025 5

The Pixel Watch 4 is seeing its own little Feature Drop this morning with a handful of new features. Google is adding a...

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Google Sends First Big Update to Android XR and Galaxy XR With PC Connect, More

Kellen December 8, 2025 5

Google finished hosting the latest in "The Android Show" today and the topic at hand was Android XR. We knew this show was...

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Samsung Launches One UI 8.5 Beta on Galaxy S25 Ultra

Kellen December 8, 2025 5

The signs suggesting that Samsung was about to release One UI 8.5 in some form were there, like this massive changelog and a...

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Samsung Pulls Out Galaxy S25 Ultra Deal I’ve Never Seen Before

Kellen December 7, 2025 5

Even with last weekend well behind us, there are still Cyber Week deals to be had through places like Samsung. They appear to...

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Google Added 9 Sweet New Features to Your Pixel in Big Update

Kellen December 2, 2025 5

Following the release of several beta builds over a number of months, Google released Android 16 QPR2 today in stable as the...

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

Kellen May 6, 2025 1

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 1

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 1

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 1

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 1

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 1

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 1

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 1

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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