Briley Kenney

Briley Kenney turns everyday technology questions into clear, step-by-step guides that show people how their devices, apps, and services actually work. He is a staff writer at Digital Trends, focused on consumer electronics and technology, with more than a decade of experience writing deals content, how-tos, and practical guides. His coverage is shaped by long service journalism across multiple outlets, where he combines detailed instructions with an eye on security, longevity, and the broader life cycle of gadgets.

Hands-on guides to everyday tech features

Kenney’s core reporting format is the practical walkthrough, built around specific features on widely used consumer devices and apps.

He writes pieces that explain how to change a Google Maps car icon directly from an Android Auto dashboard, breaking down software version requirements and on-screen menu steps. Similar guides show readers how to adjust how long a Samsung Galaxy phone rings using Direct Voicemail settings, with tap-by-tap instructions and clear defaults.

He applies the same approach to app privacy and customization, such as articles on changing settings in Discord to protect personal information or control data visibility. On hardware, his work on Google’s smart glasses against Meta’s Ray-Ban devices focuses on concrete feature differences, highlighting new capabilities and how they alter real-world use rather than treating the products as abstract launches.

Across these pieces he consistently anchors explanations in what people see on screen and what they need to do next, turning technical changes into actionable tasks.

Security, privacy, and connected devices

Security and privacy across consumer tech are a recurring thread in Kenney’s coverage. In the security vertical at BGR he reports on new malware threats facing Android phone users, explaining how attacks work and what behaviors put devices at risk. He extends that lens to connectivity questions like how secure a mobile hotspot is in everyday use, weighing convenience against exposure to unwanted access.

His reporting on Flock’s automated license plate readers and their ban in Florida connects consumer-facing surveillance tools with legal and policy outcomes, focusing on what the technology does and why it has sparked controversy. In smart home coverage he writes about video doorbell features that have led to lawsuits and about how long owners say Google Nest cameras typically last, tying functionality, data collection, and product lifespan into a single narrative.

Privacy guides, including his work on tightening Discord settings, sit alongside these stories and show how readers can mitigate risks themselves. Together, these pieces make his beat more than gadget news; he treats connected devices as part of a broader security and privacy landscape.

Device lifecycles, batteries, and e-waste

Kenney spends significant time on how long technology lasts and what happens when software support ends. In his e-waste reporting he links the growing volume of discarded electronics to software support practices, arguing that shortened update windows and forced obsolescence push otherwise functional devices out of service.

He explains why operating system updates, security patches, and app compatibility can be just as important as hardware specs in determining a gadget’s usable life.

His feature on rechargeable batteries looks at how long they have been around, using history to contextualize current battery technology and its role in modern electronics. Coverage of Nest camera longevity and similar devices connects owner experiences and expectations with real-world failure points and replacement cycles. This focus on lifecycles and support underscores his interest in what ownership feels like over time, not just what launch-day specs promise.

Long-standing consumer tech writer across outlets

Kenney has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for well over a decade, with some profiles placing his experience at nearly two decades. At Digital Trends and The Manual he has authored hundreds of articles, including extensive deals coverage, how-to content, and product guides. Across his career he has bylines at technology and gadget sites such as BGR, Android Headlines, AndroidPIT, Dottech, Gadget Review, Smartwatches.org, Lifewire, Ideaing, and The Manual, often focused on consumer devices and practical usage.

His own portfolio describes more than 16 years of work as a freelance writer, copywriter, and entrepreneur, as well as a stint as a senior SEO copywriter in commerce-focused strategy for Digital Trends. He notes that a substantial portion of his work is ghostwritten for brands and online publications, which has given him experience in translating product detail and technical nuance into accessible, reader-first language.

Through his Techigar project and other personal channels, he frames himself as a gadget enthusiast who writes across websites and formats, reinforcing the impression of a high-volume, cross-outlet technology specialist.