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
It’s no secret that Walmart is launching a new Google TV streaming box, but the company has now, finally, confirmed its launch plans for the Onn Pro.
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Google Maps is picking up a couple of useful new tricks, at least on Android, that make it easier to find EV charging stations as well as seeing the entirety of a road.
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Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are coming to the Galaxy S21 series and other 2021 devices after all, but not in any of the ways we previously expected.
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After launching in Korea recently, Samsung has officially announced that its AI-adding One UI 6.1 update is now available to Galaxy S22, Fold 4, and Flip 4 devices in the US and around the globe.
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Microsoft has officially confirmed that the company is launching its Xbox mobile game store on Android and iOS in July, and it will be bringing Candy Crush, Minecraft, and more along with it.
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It’s been clear for some time now that OpenAI is planning to launch a search engine enhanced by AI and, according to a new report, the company plans to do that by attempting to upstage Google I/O 2024.
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Google’s Pixel business is finally seeing some real success, but that might be bad news for Sony, as the company’s Xperia smartphone business is actively shrinking as a result.
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The Rabbit R1 is a cute little AI device that, by all accounts, seems to be really bad at everything it tries to do. Now, someone has figured out how to run full Android on the Rabbit R1 using the popular LineageOS ROM.
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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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