A loophole in Android TV OS left a backdoor open for users to access a TV owner’s Gmail inbox among other things, but Google is rolling out a fix, and the company has now confirmed what that fix is.
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Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.
In 2013, Ben helped start an independent tech publication where he learned the skills used at 9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wife Melissa.
He primarily covers Android products, including Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, and more. Beyond just covering news about these products, Ben also spends time using these products himself, speaking from experience with the articles he writes. Some of Ben’s most recent hands-on reviews include; Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and more.
Ben is also a leading source for information about Google’s Android TV, diving deeply into important parts of the platform including its powerful Operator Tier, explaining future changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such as Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and more.
In 2019, Ben leaked one of the first in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing the Recorder and Pixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was also the first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.
Ben Schoon is active on Twitter, @nexusben, but can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also available online.
Email: schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email: benschoon@protonmail.com
Meta teases that ‘nothing prepares you’ for its upcoming AR glasses
The idea of AR glasses has been tried time and time again with minimal success. In a new interview, though, Meta is teasing that its upcoming “full” AR glasses will be super impressive, invoking a reaction similar to the original Oculus Rift.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: The iPhone 15 Pro is the best pitch to switch from Android – it’s just not for me
The iPhone is the best-selling smartphone on the planet and, in the US especially, it’s clearly a dominant force. I’m an Android person by choice, but once in a while, I spend time with the latest iPhone to take a peek inside of Apple’s garden, trying not to get trapped within its walls. Over the past several months, I’ve been using the iPhone 15 Pro off and on and, well, I’ve got thoughts.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 might be better at forcing dark mode on apps
Dark mode finally solidified itself a few years back, but there are a bunch of apps – looking at you Fitbit – that still ignore the feature. With Android 15, though, it seems like there will be a better option for forcing dark mode on apps.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Ear and Ear (a) will get transparency improvements in a future update
The Nothing Ear and Ear (a) are already among the best earbuds you can buy today, and now they’re confirmed to be getting a boost to transparency mode.
Expand Expanding CloseIt’s probably going to be a while before you get your Android Find My Device tracker
Google launched the Android Find My Device network earlier this month and finally released the hold Apple had on AirTag-like trackers for Android. But if you’re eagerly awaiting one of those Find My Device trackers for your Android phone, keep in mind you’ll probably be waiting a while.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 8a gets 7 years of updates and AI features, leak reveals [Gallery]
As we quickly approach the launch of Pixel 8a, another set of new leaks have revealed that the mid-range smartphone will be getting the same long update lifespan as its siblings, as well as many of the same AI features.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat do you want from a new Nvidia Shield TV? [Poll]
The Nvidia Shield TV is way overdue for a refresh and while we don’t know anything about one coming, what would you even want from it?
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s what Glance’s Android lockscreen actually does in the US, and how to turn it off [Gallery]
Glance has been working to add additional features to the Android lockscreen for a long time and, now, it’s officially coming to the US. However, while Glance splashes ads, games, and more on phones internationally, its US “pilot” is a much more tame intrusion on the Android lockscreen.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle fixed a glaring account security loophole on Android TV OS [Video]
An account security loophole in Android TV OS can allow an unsupervised user to be able to access your Gmail inbox if given access to the television, but Google is working to fix it.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini now supports Android 10, expanding to older devices
Google brought its AI experience Gemini to Android devices earlier this year, but it only launched with support for Android 12 and higher. Now, Google has quietly expanded Gemini to support Android 10 and Android 11 as well.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s next Galaxy launch event reportedly takes place July 10 in Paris
Samsung is gearing up for a pretty big Summer launch event, with a new report pinpointing the next Galaxy Unpacked event for July 10.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Tablet keyboard and dock-less price hinted at in retail listings
Google is preparing to “relaunch” the Pixel Tablet without a dock and add an official keyboard and stylus to the mix, and now a new leak is revealing prices too.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung launches a pair of stylish battery banks with up to 45W charging
While Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 series has fantastic battery life, no smartphone owner can avoid the occasional situation where they’re running out of juice on the go. For that, Samsung has just launched a pair of new official battery banks which pack USB-C and speedy charging into a nice design.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube reverts new website design test for many following backlash
Earlier this month, YouTube started testing out a new redesign for its desktop website which was met with overwhelming backlash from those who saw it. Now, YouTube has apparently reverted that new design.
Expand Expanding CloseHMD Vibe and Pulse are the company’s first Nokia-free Android phones
HMD Global revived the Nokia brand for smartphones a few years back and, now, it’s using its own brand for a duo of new Android phones that will go on sale starting next month.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar for Android just made it way easier to scroll through months
An update to Google Calendar on Android is rolling out, which makes it significantly easier to scroll through months.
Expand Expanding CloseWindows 11 is bringing its new Start Menu ads to everyone
After a very brief trial period, Microsoft is bringing ads to the Start Menu for all Windows 11 users.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 11.8 rolling out with major redesign to settings [Gallery]
Android Auto is finally giving its settings menu an overhaul, with a redesign now rolling out to users. Here’s what’s new.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Google will update Gemini Nano in time for Galaxy S25
Google’s Gemini AI models are constantly advancing, so it comes as no surprise that a new report claims Google will have a “version 2” of Gemini Nano available by the time the Galaxy S25 launches next year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps testing Live Activities on iPhone – here’s what it looks like [Gallery]
Live Activities are a super useful feature of Apple’s latest iPhones, but also one that goes underused. Google Maps has been overdue to support the feature for years now and while it’s still not live yet, Google is testing Live Activities with some iPhone users.
Expand Expanding CloseSnapdragon X Plus will bring ARM to ‘even more’ Windows laptops, still said to beat Apple M3
While it’s still yet to debut, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is looking like a big deal for ARM-powered Windows machines and, now, it’s getting a more affordable cousin in the Snapdragon X Plus.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat does a new Chromecast with Google TV remote look like?
The Chromecast with Google TV is getting a sequel, and it sounds like one of the changes will be a new remote. So, what does a new Chromecast remote look like? Let’s discuss.
Expand Expanding Close‘Glance’ brings its feature-heavy Android lockscreen to the US, already on these devices
The Android lockscreen is very simple, but that depends on what phone you have, and where you buy it. In some regions, “Glance” has become commonplace as a supercharged Android lockscreen with recommendations, information, and ads. Now, that’s coming to the US.
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