Patrick O'Rourke-Editor-in-Chief

Patrick O'Rourke

Editor-in-Chief

June, 2024
16 years of experience covering consumer technology, BA in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University
Apple, Android, Samsung
  • 192
    articles
  • 62
    News
  • 71
    Features
  • 20
    Lists
  • 4
    Guides
  • 30
    Reviews
  • 5
    Deals

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About Patrick O'Rourke

Patrick O'Rourke is XDA's News Editor and Entertainment Segment Lead. Previously, he was Pocket-lint's Editor-in-Chief, the Editor-in-Chief of Canadian tech publication MobileSyrup, and earlier in his career, he worked as the national technology editor at the Financial Post and Postmedia. He's based in Toronto.

Over the past 15 years, he's written thousands of articles. Patrick has also interviewed dozens of tech industry executives and covered GDC, E3, Gamescom, WWDC, Apple keynotes, Samsung Unpacked events and more.

Patrick has a BA in journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. 

What was your first phone?

I didn't get my first phone until I was 17 (I know, that's late). It was a white LG Aloha LX140; I don't remember it fondly. My interest in phones didn't really kick off until I got my hands on a BlackBerry Curve 8900. I'll forever miss that glorious trackball. On the smartphone side, my first device was 2010's HTC Desire HD, a smartphone with abysmall battery life (by noon, sometimes it would be down to roughly 40%).

What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?

I'm fond of covering smartphones, particularly the iPhone, but I also enjoy writing about handheld gaming devices, video games, cameras and wacky gadgets. The weirder a device is, the better.

When did your interest in technology begin?

I became interested in video games and technology at a young age while scouring the pages of gaming magazines like Nintendo Power and Electronic Gaming Monthly. As soon as I figured out I could combine my love of tech and writing into a job, I knew that was the direction I wanted to take my career. In my early teens, I even wrote a weekly technology column for the Toronto Star.

Latest

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5 notable M5 iPad Pro features that might tempt you to upgrade

There's more under the hood than just the powerful M5 chip when it comes to Apple's new iPad Pro - especially if you have the M1 or M2 iPad Pro.

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The Apple Watch Series 11 is a solid smartwatch with minor upgrades

Even though the Apple Watch Series 11 is in the awkward middle of Apple's smartwatch lineup, it's still a feature-rich, impressive wearable.

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After a brief outage, YouTube is back online

If you're running into a YouTube playback error right now, you aren't alone.

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The ROG Xbox Ally X is fantastic, but incomplete

Asus and Microsoft's Xbox Ally X is an impressive portable that solves many of Windows 11's key handheld issues - it just needs more polish.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 on a wrist.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is great, but you can probably skip the upgrade

If you've been on the fence about Apple's bulky, but very durable-feeling smartwatch, now is a great time to pull the trigger given the battery life g

2
The iPhone Air sitting against a plant
I like how stunningly light the iPhone Air is, but the sacrifices are heavy

The iPhone Air is a statement about Apple's future, but it has several shortcomings.

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Google’s next-gen Home Speaker is here, and Gemini for Home isn't just for the latest models

Among a flurry of other announcements, Google has finally officially revealed the Google Home Speaker it teased back in August.

3
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The MX Master 4 solves my biggest issue with Logitech's iconic mouse

Logitech's MX Master 4 has a fancy new haptic feedback button, but I'd argue its main draw are the build-quality improvements.

15
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The Lego Game Boy is the coolest, most detailed set I’ve ever built

As far as retro, nostalgia-infused sets go, it doesn't get better than Lego's new Game Boy.

Logitech's Signature Slim Solar Plus K980 sitting on a desk
This new keyboard is powered by the sun (and almost any artificial light)

If you're tired of charging your keyboard or swaping batteries, this solar-powered keyboard is for you.

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The iPhone 17 Pro is Apple's most daring redesign in years, and I think it pays off

When it comes to Apple's devices, design often matters the most, and the tech giant really took a chance with the iPhone 17 Pro.

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The AirPods Pro 3 are my favorite earbuds I've ever used

As far as wireless earbuds go, it doesn't get better than the AirPods Pro 3 (as long as you're an Apple user).

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This upcoming E Ink gadget could be the ultimate dumbphone

Boox looks like its working on a color E Ink Palma with a data connection, offering a significant upgrade over its predecessors.

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Apple's ultra-thin iPhone Air is finally here, and it looks surprisingly cool

The new iPhone Air is just 5.6mm thick.

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The AirPods Pro 3 offer better sound quality, a smaller design, and heart rate monitoring

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 feature a more comfortable design, a built-in heart rate sensor, and improved battery life.

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Thanks to this fix, I can finally recommend my favorite Switch 2 case again

My experience with dbrand's Killswitch Switch 2 case over the past several weeks has been flawless -- but that hasn't been the case for everyone.

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Remarkable's tiny E Ink tablet wants to replace your old school notebook

If you've been waiting for a smaller E Ink device to replace your pen and paper notebook, the Paper Pro Move is for you.

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If you need a second Switch 2 dock, this third-party cable is the best option

If you're willing to take a bit of a risk, this third-party Switch 2 dock is a solid alternative to Nintendo's official option.

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This $17 gadget makes watching TV in the shower so much easier

Watching content in the shower is now a breeze thanks to the PROfezzion Magnetic Shower Mirror Phone Holder.

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Kobo's read-later feature lives on thanks to new a partnership

Kobo has confirmed that its new read-it-later partner is Instapaper, following Pocket's shutdown in early July.