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
Apple is currently under fire from many regarding its new iPad Pro ad that shows creative items being crushed in a hydraulic press before revealing a new iPad underneath. But, as it turns out, Apple isn’t the first to use this concept – LG did it back in 2008.
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Circle to Search on Android is a very useful feature because of its simplicity and, from the looks of it, it’s also coming to Google Chrome on desktop platforms.
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Google is preparing to release a new feature for Wear OS that can limit apps and other notifications on a child’s smartwatch during “School Time.”
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Samsung kicked off the rollout of One UI 6.1 to its 2022 devices earlier this month but, shortly after, paused the rollout for the Galaxy S22 series. Now, though, that’s been resumed.
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Android 15 appears to be preparing some new accessibility options, including a better way to activate screen magnification.
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If you’re on the hunt for an Android tablet with a keyboard and a bit disappointed that the Pixel Tablet didn’t get one as expected, the OnePlus Pad currently comes with a free keyboard case alongside a big discount.
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Motorola has just unveiled its latest Moto G for 2024, the new Moto G Stylus 5G and it has huge spec upgrades, all for the same price tag.
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I don’t know about you, but I love falling asleep to music. But sometimes, even the quietest setting on a speaker is enough to disturb others in the room, so I’ve long wanted a pair of earbuds I can comfortably sleep in. That’s the goal of the 1More Z30, and they mostly get the job done.
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As streaming continues to evolve, Amazon Prime Video is preparing to introduce new ad formats while Max, formerly and still better known as HBO Max, is set to raise prices.
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Bloatware has been a long-time problem for Android devices, but some brands have stood against it for a while. OnePlus, though, seems to be sneaking more bloatware onto its devices as of late.
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About a year after launching the TicWatch Pro 5, Mobvoi is back with a new “Enduro” refresh that brings some hardware upgrades.
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Samsung has a screaming deal available right now on its Galaxy Watch 6, offering buyers two smartwatches for the price of one.
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The Matter smart home standard is getting another update, with version 1.3 bringing support for more home appliances, EV chargers, and more.
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Yesterday Google announced that the Pixel Tablet would be available for sale without a dock, effectively re-launching the tablet for an entirely new type of customer. It would have been a bit exciting, had Apple not set a new bar for tablets just hours prior.
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Google just launched the Pixel 8a and, through the Google Store, it’s offering the device for free with select trade-ins. If you’re upgrading from a previous Pixel A-Series device, too, Google has some pretty decent trade-in deals to offer with Pixel 8a.
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Google Search has, for decades now, shown the number of search results that come back for a given query. That’s not going away, but Search is no longer showing that number by default.
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Samsung’s flagship lineup is off to a good start, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra being the world’s most popular Android phone of 2024, at least so far.
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Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 comes as the foldable series is due for significant changes, and it seems that’s exactly what’s coming, with new leaks suggesting a wider outer display with sharper corners.
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Five years ago today, Google launched the Pixel 3a at I/O 2019 with a cheeky “Purple-ish” color variant and, with its latest batch of iPads, Apple is channeling that color again.
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Walmart is working its way toward the formal launch of its new “Onn Pro” Google TV box and, finally, the box has made it to the website, allowing you to find out if your store has any in stock and even purchase it.
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MediaTek has just announced its latest flagship chipset, the Dimensity 9300+, ahead of plans to launch in a “premium” Android phone in the US this year.
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The Motorola Razr is an excellent foldable flip phone, but it’s nearing time for a sequel. This week, images of a new Motorola Razr have leaked, but it looks like hardly anything will change this time around.
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For years it’s been widely accepted that, even if you use an Android phone, Android tablets are just largely not worth it. But that’s been changing a bit in recent years and, now, a new report shows Android tablets continuing to grow, right in time for Apple to launch new iPad.
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Google TV is finally about to launch its new “Magic” button that’s customizable and, ahead of it arriving on the next Chromecast, Walmart’s new “Pro” streaming box is showing how it works.
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