Waymo One is launching self-driving rides in Washington DC next year
Waymo has announced that it will be expanding to yet another new city, with robotaxi services set to begin in Washington DC next year.
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Author
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. Ben is an avid disc golf player.
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
Android Auto 14.0 starts rolling out, prepares to replace Assistant with Gemini
It’s no secret that Google is planning to bring Gemini to Android Auto and, while that’s still not live, Android Auto 14.0 is now rolling out to all users and brings more hints that Gemini is just around the corner.
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Nothing’s Camera Presets transform the world into your favorite movie with this clever idea [Gallery]
Just after the launch of the Nothing Phone (3a) series, “Camera Presets” were added to the latest Nothing Phone’s as a way to adjust the look of the camera, and share those presets with other users. Now, someone has found a clever way to use AI to quickly create presets to transform shots into recreations of the worlds from your favorite movies and shows.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus launches super-slim magnetic 5,000 mAh power bank for $70 [Gallery]
OnePlus has just announced a new “Slim Magnetic Power Bank” that offers a boost to your battery without a ton of bulk, but costs $70.
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‘Savage Planet’ ad pokes fun at the downfall of Google Stadia
Google Stadia died over two years ago, but the sting still remains. In a new ad for its sequel game, the developers of the “Savage Planet” series are taking what seems to be a pretty clear jab at Google Stadia’s downfall.
Expand Expanding CloseThese AirTag-like trackers support Android’s ‘Find My Device’ network
Launched to the public in 2024, the “Find My Device” network leverages billions of Android smartphones to find your devices, and also AirTag-like trackers. Here’s a list of trackers that are available for Andorid.
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OnePlus or Oppo may launch a smaller phone with a 6,200 mAh battery in April
OnePlus and Oppo are gearing up to launch smaller phones and a leaker claims the battery is bigger than initially expected.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung restores April 10 release date for One UI 7 rollout in the US
Samsung’s One UI 7 update has already been heavily delayed, but it seems that one final delay is no longer happening, as Samsung has restored a release date for Galaxy owners eagerly awaiting the update.
Expand Expanding CloseDisney+ now lets you remove titles from ‘Continue Watching’ row, not on Google TV
Disney+ is rolling out an update that allows users to remove titles from the “Continue Watching” row, but it’s not available everywhere just yet.
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You can currently get a tracker for Android’s Find My Device network for just $15
Trackers for Android’s Find My Device network are readily available nowadays, but they aren’t particularly cheap. Right now, though, you can get a tracker for Android’s Find My Device network for a mere $15, around 50% off of the usual cost.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Samsung ‘finalizing’ smart glasses with display and gesture recognition, coming this year
It’s been a long time coming, but Samsung is reportedly in the process of “finalizing” a pair of smart glasses with a built-in display that would be coming later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Drive is now widely available on Snapdragon-powered Windows laptops
The launch of the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus last year brought a new importance to making Windows apps for Arm-powered PCs, and one notable omission was Google Drive. After launching in beta last year, the Google Drive app for Windows is now widely available for Snapdragon and Arm-powered machines.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Razr (2025) leaks with smaller display, big battery, and a vibrant green color [Gallery]
Motorola is working on a new collection of Razr devices, and the leaks are starting to pour in, including a new look at the base Motorola Razr (2025) which has updated specs and some gorgeous new colors too.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases new Pixel ‘Imagination Studio’ coming to Japan on March 29
Through social media, Google is teasing another new announcement around Pixel devices for later this week, with an “Imagination Studio” coming.
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YouTube says low quality playback issues on iOS should now be fixed
Last week, YouTube acknowledged a widespread issue with low quality video playback on iOS devices, but now says that the problem is fixed.
Expand Expanding CloseFoldables have finally remembered how to not be boring – what do you want next?
Foldables already feel stagnant despite having hit the market a mere 6 years ago, but one new device this week showed that there are still new ideas to be had. So, what do you want next?
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Pixel 10 pops up as Google prepares slightly faster boot times for Android
Google is preparing some kernel improvements for Android devices which are said to improve boot times by up to 30% on the Pixel 10, the first semi-official reference to the unreleased smartphone.
Expand Expanding CloseThis tracker works with Android’s Find My Device network and costs just $18
There aren’t many trackers for Android’s Find My Device network, and most of the ones that are on the market aren’t exactly cheap. A new option, the “MiTag,” has recently surfaced, though, which costs under $20.
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GM kills third-party kit that brought Android Auto and CarPlay to its EVs
GM has been adamant in its decision to remove Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from its vehicles, and now the automaker has killed a third-party kit that made it possible to still use those platforms.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9a lacks Satellite SOS support with its older modem, Google confirms
Google’s Pixel 9a offers a lot for its $499 price tag, but it doesn’t have everything the rest of the Pixel 9 series has. Thanks to a generation-old modem, the Pixel 9a lacks support for Google’s Satellite SOS feature.
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Android Auto 13.9 update is now widely available
After launching in beta a few weeks ago, Google has made the Android Auto 13.9 update widely available to all users.
Expand Expanding CloseThe latest vinyl Android figure is a faux wood ‘Pine Pal’ where no two are alike [Gallery]
Google’s long-time partner for Android figures, Dead Zebra, has just launched its latest addition, the faux wood “Pine Pal.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9 and Galaxy S25 adding satellite messaging on Spectrum and Xfinity Mobile
Following Verizon’s announcement yesterday, Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile have both confirmed that Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 owners on their networks will be getting satellite messaging “in the coming weeks.”
Expand Expanding CloseHuawei Pura X doesn’t know whether it’s a flip phone or a book-style foldable [Video]
Huawei just announced the Pura X, its latest foldable, and it’s a departure from existing form factors, slotting somewhere in between a flip phone and a book-style foldable.
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