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
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Ring is heavily focused on being a health wearable, and that may include helping you figure out what to eat via Samsung Food, according to a new report.
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The Google Contacts app is rolling out a new, dedicated section to help you set and manage custom contact ringtones on your Android device.
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Google has confirmed that YouTube TV is now rolling out support for Multiview on the iPhone and iPad, but the feature won’t arrive on Android for a while.
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According to new data, Google managed to grow the Pixel’s foothold in the US market through the course of 2023, even though it apparently shipped fewer phones in the country.
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Stardew Valley just got its latest major update in version 1.6, but is it coming to Android and iOS? Here’s what you need to know.
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Rolling out starting today, Meta’s Threads is getting a new “Trending Now” section.
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According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Pixel 8a is getting a 120Hz display, Tensor G3, display output, and wider availability around the globe too.
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A new feature seems to be on its way to WhatsApp for Android, with transcription for voice messages spotted in the app’s code.
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Google Search has changed a lot over the past couple of years, and it seems more changes are coming. This week, Google has appointed a new “Head of Search” in Liz Reid, who is teasing more AI changes in the pipeline.
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If you use a password manager on Android that’s not Google’s, you’ve likely run into the frustrating experience of Chrome constantly ignoring your choice and pushing Google’s password manager. Now, though, there’s finally a way to change that.
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While VR is getting a second wave thanks to the popularity of Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro, older implementations are fading away. This week, Plex confirmed it will shut down its VR apps, including the one for Google Daydream.
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The new Android Auto dashboard experience is really good at showing more information at once, but some users have been understandably frustrated by the fact that it doesn’t show the weather as older designs did. So, why doesn’t Android Auto have a weather card?
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Samsung has been putting out some excellent foldable hardware over the past five years, but there is one issues that plagues these devices over time. After a year or two of use, the hinge on Samsung foldables won’t always open completely flat as it did at launch, and the reason, it seems, is debris getting caught in the hinge.
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Fresh off of the global launch of the Magic 6 Pro, Honor is this week launching the Magic 6 RSR (and Ultimate) which gets a new display that’s supposed to hold up better over time.
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After announcing the initiative late last year, YouTube is now launching its requirement for creators to disclose the use of “altered or synthetic” content which includes AI.
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When it launched the Pixel 8 series, Google also announced an unprecedented level of software support with the promise of 7 years of updates for both devices. For some, though, recent announcements have somewhat softened that promise. Should it? Let’s talk.
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Foldables aren’t cheap, but it seems the tide is turning, with Samsung now rumored to debut a Galaxy Z Fold 6 variant later this year that could have a price tag well under $1,000.
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As March Madness begins this week, the NCAA has announced a major overhaul to its mobile app that includes support for Android Auto.
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Google Wallet may soon get a lot more useful for passes, as the app appears to be rolling out support for the same pass files used by Apple Wallet.
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Accessories are an important part of any tech purchase, and it’s an area where Google Pixel has been lacking. I really hope to see a push from Google’s third-party partners this year for more Pixel phone cases and Pixel Watch bands.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra put out a wonderful showing earlier this year, but do you really need the “Ultra?” That’s the question I brought with me to the smallest Galaxy S24, and I walked away pleasantly surprised with how similar the two experiences were.
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Following changes in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act, Google is now rolling out a Pixel Launcher update in the region which lets users switch their search provider to something other than Google Search.
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Microsoft and Google have been waged in a years-long battle around Google Search, Bing, Chrome, and Edge. And it just continues, with Microsoft now pushing Bing heavily on Google Chrome users through pop-ups in Windows.
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Smartphone cases are a place where personal preference reigns, and for many, a lot of cases tend to overdo it on the design or thickness and lack key features. But, in collaboration with Google, I think Mous has struck a near-perfect balance with its super-thin Pixel 8 case, which adds MagSafe and virtually no bulk.
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