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Stephen Hall

stephenjhall

Stephen is Growth Director at 9to5. You can find his current work at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google 9to5ToysElectrek, and more. If you want to get in touch, follow me on Twitter. Or, email at stephen (at) 9to5mac (dot) com, or an encrypted email at hallstephenj (at) protonmail (dot) com.

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Sources: Internal YouTube Music gains music library upload as Play Music transition nears

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Google has internally rolled out a beta version of YouTube Music that adds support for the music library/cloud locker functionality you might be familiar with from Google Play Music. One source suggested that efforts to transition Google Play Music users to YouTube Music are right around the corner…


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Here’s everything we know about the Google Pixel 4a so far

google pixel 4a leak

Google’s next mid-range Pixel entry is right around the corner, and plenty of rumors and leaks have already made their way out. We have a pretty good idea of what it looks like, we can assume some of the specifications using trends from last year, and we think we might know what it will cost. Here’s everything that’s been rumored so far about the forthcoming Google Pixel 4a.


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US carriers make SIM-swap attacks easy

Alarming test shows US carriers fail to protect you against SIM-swap attacks

An alarming test carried out by Princeton shows that the five largest US carriers fail to properly protect their customers against so-called SIM-swap attacks.

They were able to persuade the carriers to assign phone numbers to new SIMs without successfully answering any of the standard security questions. Once a phone number has been reassigned to a SIM in the possession of an attacker, they can reset passwords even on accounts protected by two-factor authentication (2FA)…


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Comment: Google Pixel 3a at $250 makes a great last-minute smartphone gift

It may have been $230 earlier this week (as our friends at 9to5Toys spotted), but you can still grab the Pixel 3a at Best Buy for $250 if you’re willing to activate the phone today. While I think our gift guides have done a great job of rounding up some of the best gifts for the Android fan in your life, this might just be the biggest no-brainer of them all…


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9to5Google Gift Guide: Last minute gifts for the Android fan

last minute android gifts

If you’re anything like me, you’ve barely started buying gifts for your family and friends, and it’s really starting to set in that Christmas is just a little over a week away. Good thing Amazon Prime 1-day shipping exists, right? Here’s some of our top last minute gift picks for Android fans — the one requirement being that they’re available for shipping or in-store pickup in time for Christmas…


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Alphabet Scoop 079: First Pixel 4a rumors, Pixel 4 sales, and a Fuchsia tablet?

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk all about some Google Pixel news, the first Pixel 4a rumors, some Pixel 4 sales rumors, and a Fuchsia tablet?

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 078: Snapdragon 865, Sundar Pichai, and Pixel updates

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk all about the announcements at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Tech Summit 2019 (including the Snapdragon 865, Sundar Pichai takes over Alphabet, and some Pixel things.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Here’s everything you need to know about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

Qualcomm flew me out and put me up in Maui, Hawaii to sit through a couple keynotes about its new smartphone chips, so here I am telling you about their new smartphone chips. The company announced the Snapdragon 865 and 765 yesterday, and today they detailed them in full. Here’s pretty much everything you need to know about the former — the flagship chip…
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[Update: Day 2] How to watch Qualcomm unveil expected Snapdragon 865 and more [Livestream]

It’s day one of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit, and we’re on the ground on Wailea, Maui, Hawaii to bring you all the latest. We’ll have coverage throughout the week. If you’d prefer to get the word directly from the mouth of the beast as well, you can stream the main keynotes every day this week — Tuesday through Thursday.


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Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, HMD confirm devices built on 5G-ready Snapdragon 865

At the Snapdragon Tech Summit here in Maui, Hawaii, several of Qualcomm’s partners have confirmed forthcoming devices that will be built on the new 5G-ready Snapdragon 865 system-on-a-chip. Xiaomi, Oppo, and Lenovo (Motorola) are all confirming the development of flagship smartphones that will pack the Snapdragon 865, while HMD Global also says it has plans for Snapdragon 765-powered devices.


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[Update: New bundles added] Best Nest Cyber Monday deals: Nest Mini from $29, Nest Hub $55

google nest hub max smart display assistant

Google Nest deals are sure to make an appearance this Cyber Monday from all the top retailers, which means you’ll be able to snag Nest thermostats, Nest Mini smart speakers, and Nest Hub Max smart displays at some of the lowest prices of the year. Specifically, we’re seeing some pretty large price drops for the original Google Home this year. Keep reading for all the current and expected Cyber Monday Nest deals…


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[Update: Early deals added] Best Google Pixel Cyber Monday deals: $200 Pixel 4, more

Cyber Monday is set to bring some of the best Google Pixel deals of the year. The Pixel 4 in particular is set to see big discounts in the form of gift cards from Target and AT&T, while Verizon is looking to offer a BOGO promotion. This is just the beginning of the Google Pixel deals you can expect to find over at 9to5Toys this Cyber Monday, and you’ll find all of the latest updates for Pixel deals below…


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JerryRig’s latest teardown shows what a clear-backed Pixel 4 XL would look like

clear pixel 4 xl

iFixit treated the Pixel 4 XL to a full teardown not long after the device’s announcement, but one could say that one was a bit too careful. And professional. The latest Pixel 4 XL teardown from JerryRig is definitely a bit more on the messy and fun side, and gives us another look at various internal components and a clear back.
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Opinion: Google needs to allay Stadia concerns — its botched launch does the opposite

google stadia controller

The initial reviews of Google Stadia are out as of yesterday, and the consensus seems to be that it works pretty well, actually. But that technical accomplishment is overshadowed by the fact that many of the service’s notable feature promises are half-baked, and others just aren’t here yet. This functional Google Stadia beta is only raising concerns about the platform at a time when it already has little room for messaging error.


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Alphabet Scoop 076: Schiller on Chromebooks, RCS rollout, Stadia news

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about Chromebooks and how they’re great for school, the RCS rollout is finally happening, Stadia, and Motorola announcing a weird new nostalgic foldable.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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