Google Maps is picking up a couple of new features on Android Auto, with a new and much easier way to add a stop on your route.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps on Android Auto adds an easier ‘Add Stop’ button
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
Meta strikes long-term deal with Ray-Ban maker following rumors of possible Google partnership
Smart glasses are still largely a dream as the hardware just doesn’t fit the vision yet, but there’s been significant progress. One shining example has been Meta’s Ray-Ban series of smart glasses, and that partnership has now been renewed for years to come.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S25 series won’t get bigger batteries as S25+ design leaks [Gallery]
Samsung’s design language for the Galaxy S25 series looks pretty much identical to years past, and it seems the Galaxy S25+ won’t change that, just like the whole series won’t see any battery changes.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Samsung may release a rollable smartphone with a 12.4-inch display in 2025
According to a new report, competition in the foldable space has Samsung in a panic, and the company is revving up plans to launch a rollable smartphone as soon as next year.
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Find My Device prepares a ‘compass’ for finding trackers, likely for UWB support
Google’s rollout of the Find My Device network has been a bit less than ideal, but things are due to get better over time. One of the highly anticipated additions to Find My Device is support for UWB trackers, which the app appears to be preparing for with the addition of a “compass.”
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Google TV integrates with over 50 streaming services and apps, here’s the full list [U]
Perhaps the most useful thing about the new Google TV platform is the ability to aggregate and organize content from a variety of different sources. Which ones, though? Here’s a full list of streaming services and apps that Google TV supports.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing confirms launch of new ‘open’ audio device on September 24
Through its website this week, Nothing has confirmed plans to launch a new “open” audio product on September 24.
Expand Expanding CloseADT’s new security system works with Google Home routines, like Nest Secure did [Gallery]
Following the death of Nest Secure, strong integration between ADT and Google promised to be a replacement. The original system wasn’t, but now that we’ve had a chance to try the new one, we’re glad to see that ADT now supports proper Google Home integration.
Expand Expanding CloseNew Wear OS watches will get health upgrades from the company that almost got the Apple Watch banned
Since Wear OS’ reboot a few years ago, the variety of hardware the platform once experienced has partially vanished, but that may change as Google is building a new “reference platform” for Wear OS with the help of a company with a notable background.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung opens One UI 6.1.1 floodgates, updates now available for these Galaxy devices [U]
After launching on the company’s new foldables earlier this year, Samsung started rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update to older devices earlier this month. But, as of today, the floodgates have officially opened, with One UI 6.1.1 now rolling out to several more Galaxy devices.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Protect now (barely) shows up in Google Home app, years after it was promised
The Nest Protect smoke detector is one of the few products that hasn’t been renewed under Google’s umbrella, and beyond that it hasn’t even been integrated into this new era, as it still doesn’t really work in the Google Home app, but there’s finally some progress.
Expand Expanding CloseLeaked codenames unsurprisingly suggest Pixel 9a and four Pixel 10 phones in 2025
According to a new report, Google has plans for five new Pixel phones in 2025, unsurprisingly including a Pixel 9a and another batch of Pixel 10 devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open are both $400 off right now
As the foldable space continues to heat up and see more compelling hardware, prices are sure to come down, right? That doesn’t seem to be the case with launch pricing, but the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open are both deeply discounted at the moment, offering a more affordable way to get on an Android foldable.
Expand Expanding CloseFlappy Bird reboot increasingly looks like a crypto mess as trailer goes dark
Flappy Bird is coming back, but the game increasingly seems like a cash grab as the original creator has confirmed he has nothing to do with it, and crypto ties in the game are becoming abundantly clear.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV can now help you find even more free content from The Roku Channel
After the app launched on Google TV last year, The Roku Channel is also now integrated into Google TV’s search tools.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 3 trade-in values plummet, only $35 for first-generation
If you were hoping to pick up a Pixel Watch 3 and score a discount by trading in an older model, trade-in values have unfortunately dried up as launch boosts have disappeared.
Expand Expanding CloseI have a love-hate relationship with the 45mm Pixel Watch 3
After two generations focused on a smaller size, the Pixel Watch 3 finally introduces a larger 45mm size into the picture, and I can’t quite decide how I feel about it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV’s free channels have a new name as ‘Freeplay’ starts rolling out
After adding a few more new channels recently, Google TV has started rolling out “Freeplay” as a new home for its free, ad-supported TV channels.
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Google Home app may soon add a ‘Vacation’ mode and improved Matter support
The Google Home app is working on a few new features including a “Vacation” mode that we don’t know much about, but has some intriguing possibilities.
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Android is experimenting with replacing status bar notifications with color app icons
Google appears to be toying with a new take on notification icons in the status bar which, instead of the current look, would use the full-color app icons from your Android homescreen.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s the Galaxy S25, which looks exactly how you’d expect [Gallery]
As Samsung’s design trends continue, the Galaxy S25’s look is exactly how you’d expect it to be as a new leak reveals.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 QPR1 Beta 2 brings back lock screen widgets on tablets – how it works [Gallery]
Years after they were introduced and then removed from previous versions of Android, the latest beta for Android 15 QPR1 has arrived and brings back lock screen widget support, at least for tablets. Here’s how it works.
Expand Expanding CloseFlappy Bird is coming back in 2025 with new game modes and more
After its brief but incredibly viral release a decade ago, Flappy Bird is making its return in 2025.
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Samsung reportedly launching Galaxy Tab S10 series in late September
Following a plethora of recent leaks, Samsung is apparently preparing to launch the Galaxy Tab S10 series sooner than we thought, with the release date right around the corner.
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