Google Maps will no longer store review drafts (not that anyone knew it could)
Google Maps reviews are a valuable resource, but the service is losing the ability to store drafts of a review in progress.
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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
Samsung might be switching to a vertically scrolling app drawer
Android’s app drawer is one of the platform’s key features, and it’s changed a bit over the years. For a while now, a vertically scrolling list has become the popular way to implement the Android app drawer, and it seems that Samsung might finally be making the switch.
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Even if this Pixel Buds Pro 2 battery info is real, it doesn’t say anything useful
We first reported that Google will be debuting a sequel to Pixel Buds Pro this year, and now a supposed regulatory listing has surfaced that maybe reveals the battery capacity of the case, but that doesn’t give any useful information.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube subscriptions and YouTube TV library are broken in partial outage
A partial outage on YouTube is causing the subscriptions feed, YouTube TV’s library, and other functions to be unavailable tonight.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle can now convert text on a website into ads
Google AdSense is debuting a new format for websites that converts existing text on a site into a shortcut for Google Search.
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Google Maps for Android now syncs 3D building settings with Android Auto
The latest Google Maps update for Android makes a minor tweak which allows the phone’s toggle for 3D buildings during navigation to sync with the setting on Android Auto.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Ear and Ear (a) sound analysis reveals improvements to audio quality [Video]
Nothing is set to launch its new Ear and Ear (a) later this week and, ahead of that, a sound analysis of the new earbuds is revealing that, yes, the audio quality is getting better.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet appears to be gearing up for launch in India
Google Wallet is apparently set to expand to India, with an early Play Store listing revealing local integrations and more.
Expand Expanding CloseWhy doesn’t anyone else have a keyboard experience as good as Google Pixel?
The keyboard is integral to how you use a smartphone, so when it’s not good, you notice it. Over the past few months, I’ve really been noticing just how much better the keyboard experience on Google Pixel is compared to everywhere else, and it’s a little crazy that no one else seems to measure up.
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Moto Buds+ have Bose audio and 8-hour battery for $129
Launching today, the new Moto Buds+ deliver Bose audio and some good battery life for $129.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola will launch new flagship Android phones in the US this year
Motorola is today officially launching its Edge 50 series of flagship-tier Android phones in global markets, and also confirming that new flagships will also be coming to the US later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid to grow at ‘twice the pace of iOS’ in 2024, IDC says
As the smartphone market changes, Android is reportedly set to grow significantly in 2024, at “twice the pace” of Apple’s iOS, apparently.
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Google One is also removing free shipping for Photos prints
Alongside removing its VPN, Google One is also removing a perk that offered free shipping for prints from Google Photos.
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Android 15 seems to be adding support for wireless charging via NFC
Wireless charging is typically handled by the Qi standard, but it seems Android is adding overdue support for charging via NFC, but it’s unclear what it may be used for.
Expand Expanding CloseDid you even use the Google One VPN? [Poll]
In the months to come, Google will be shutting down the VPN that was available as a part of Google One. There’s been plenty of outcry surrounding the shutdown, but did you even use it?
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Threads tests a ‘Message’ button, but it’s just for Instagram DMs
Meta’s Threads has proven itself to be a worthy competitor to Twitter, but the platform has long been missing support for private messages. Now, though, Threads is testing a “Message” button that appears on user profiles.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung takes back #1 spot in global smartphone shipments from Apple, at least for now
Samsung has been the top player in the global smartphone market for a while but, recently, the company briefly lost its crown to Apple. Now, though, it seems like things are back in Samsung’s favor.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung officially bringing One UI 6.1 and AI features to Galaxy S22, Fold 4, Flip 4 in May
After launching first on the Galaxy S24 series earlier this year, Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are officially expanding to older Galaxy devices including Galaxy S22, Fold 4, Flip 4, and Tab S8.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9, Fold 2, Tablet 2 with 5G reportedly get new Samsung modem with satellite connectivity
According to a new report, Google’s upcoming Pixel hardware including the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold 2, and a 5G-connected Pixel Tablet will be getting a new cellular modem, an overdue upgrade.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s Find My Device network highlights Google’s neglect of UWB… so far
This week, after a massive delay, Google finally started the rollout of Android’s Find My Device network. It’s existing, but it also highlights the fact that Google, and Android as a whole, have severely neglected UWB tech.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle preps one-stop hub for all its location-sharing services on Android
Location sharing can be a useful tool, but if you lose track of what you’re sharing, it can be a headache to find it all. On Android, Google is now prepping a dedicated page that will host all of your location-sharing services in one spot.
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Android’s Find My Device network launch catapults Pebblebee’s tracker sales
Google this week launched the Find My Device network and, soon, that will support tracker devices. As a result, Pebblebee says it has seen its highest sales since the company’s start on the back of Find My Device.
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Microsoft is sticking ads in the Windows 11 Start menu
Ads in Windows are nothing really new, but Microsoft is now starting to push ads in the Start menu of Windows 11.
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Beeper says its desktop and iOS apps will get redesigns similar to Android app
After three years in closed testing, Beeper is now available to everyone and, with it, the company is also confirming plans to bring its big Android redesign to its desktop and iOS apps next.
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