Microsoft just launched its new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, the first Surface devices powered by Snapdragon X Elite which start at $999.
Expand Expanding CloseMicrosoft’s Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptop and Surface Pro start at $999
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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. 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
‘Recall’ in Windows uses AI to search everything you’ve done on a ‘Copilot+ PC’
Microsoft is today showing off its vision for the future of AI in PCs, with one of the biggest announcements being “Recall,” a new AI feature for “Copilot+ PCs” that can effectively search anything you’ve done on your Windows PC.
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Acer’s first Snapdragon X laptop starts at $1,099, available in July
The first wave of laptops powered by Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips have arrived and, included in that, is the new Acer Swift 14 AI, starting at $1,099.
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Lenovo bringing Snapdragon X Elite to Yoga and ThinkPad laptops in June from $1,199
The first wave of Snapdragon X laptops has arrived and, with it, two new options from Lenovo powered by Snapdragon X Elite and starting at $1,199.
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is allegedly ‘significantly’ more expensive
According to a fairly reliable source, Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could be a lot more expensive.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 reportedly lessens display crease
According to a reliable source, Samsung has managed to make the display crease on its Galaxy Z Fold 6 less noticeable.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch 7 gets 50% faster charging, but ‘Galaxy Watch FE’ won’t
Samsung is apparently upgrading the charging on its upcoming Galaxy Watch 7 series, boosting speeds by 50%.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 is better at syncing your Google account profile pictures on Pixel
In the latest Android 15 beta update, Google has debuted improved support for syncing and using the profile picture from your Google account.
Expand Expanding CloseAI has landed in Google Search, but how much will you really see it?
As the first big announcement of I/O 2024 this week, Google revealed that AI Overviews – formerly the Search Generative Experience (SGE) – are now rolling out to the general public. But since its initial debut a year ago, AI Overviews in Search don’t seem to be as prevalent as they used to be.
Expand Expanding CloseWalmart’s ‘Pro’ Google TV box will come with a backlit remote, but you should wait
In the messy launch of its “Pro” Google TV box, Walmart has now confirmed that the backlit remote that appeared in some early purchases won’t actually come with all orders.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 9 series wallpapers leak with trippy ‘Swirling Petals’ design [Gallery]
Ahead of their expected launch later this year, the wallpapers for the entire Google Pixel 9 series have leaked with a new “Swirling Petals” theme, and hinting at the color variants available.
Expand Expanding CloseYes, Rivian uses Android Automotive OS to build its software experience
Google’s Android Automotive software has been adopted by many carmakers for the EV era, but it tends to vary between different brands. This week Google and Rivian confirmed to 9to5Google that the EV-maker uses Android Automotive as the base of its software experience, something that was previously not known.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 reportedly improves display crease with thicker glass
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip has seen some big changes since its inception, but the display crease has remained a hurdle with the design. According to a new report, though, Samsung has plans to improve the display crease on the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Expand Expanding CloseChatGPT rolling out Google Drive integration ‘over the coming weeks’ [U]
ChatGPT has started to add support for Google Drive integration, but it’s only for paying subscribers.
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GFiber plans expansion to Las Vegas
Announced this week, GFiber, still better known as Google Fiber, is officially coming to Las Vegas as soon as 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola’s cheaper Razr foldable may get a full-size cover display for 2024
Thanks to recent leaks, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what’s in store for the next Motorola Razr lineup, but another new leak is now revealing more color variants as well as specs for the low-end model and a big upgrade – a full-size cover display.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s first Snapdragon X Elite laptop, ‘Galaxy Book 4 Edge,’ leaks with new design
Snapdragon X Elite laptops are approaching quickly and, now, we’re getting a first look at Samsung’s Galaxy Book 4 Edge ahead of its debut.
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Honor 200 teased ahead of launch later this month as specs leak
Following the debut of Magic 6 Pro globally earlier this year, the Honor 200 series is next in line for release and this week specs have leaked alongside an official teaser and launch date.
Expand Expanding CloseSony Xperia 1 VI gets Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and brighter FHD display, but no US release
Despite reports that Sony’s smartphone business is shrinking, the company this week launched the Xperia 1 VI, a more powerful Android smartphone that won’t be coming to the US market.
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Report: Galaxy S25 gets 3nm Exynos chip that’s more power efficient than Snapdragon
According to a new report, Samsung plans to bring a 3nm chip to the Galaxy S25 series with the next Exynos chip, a first for the company’s smartphones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search celebrates Minecraft’s 15-year anniversary with fun new Easter egg
May 17, 2009 saw the release of “Cave Game,” the first iteration of what would soon become Minecraft. This year, the game celebrates its 15-year anniversary and, with that, Google has a fun new Easter egg too.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms it only brought ChromeOS to Pixel as a proof-of-concept
Earlier this week it was revealed that Google Pixel devices, thanks to changes in Android, technically had the capability to run ChromeOS. That won’t be coming anytime soon though, it seems, as Google has confirmed that work was only a proof-of-concept.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Sheets can now quickly convert cells into tables
In an update provided this week, Google Sheets is now rolling out long-requested support for convert a block of cells into a table.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel phones can adjust vibration strength based on your surroundings in Android 15
Google had added a clever new “Adaptive Vibration” setting in Android 15 Beta 2 which allows Pixel phones to use their microphones to adjust vibration strength.
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