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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet starts adding support for Apple Wallet pass files
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
Google Pixel needs more cases and watch bands this year
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.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy S24 Review: Who needs a ‘Plus’ or ‘Ultra’ anyway?
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Launcher rolling out option switch to a different search provider in EU
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.
Expand Expanding CloseMicrosoft using intrusive Windows pop-ups to get Chrome users to switch to Bing [Video]
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.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Mous’ super-thin Pixel 8 case adds MagSafe minus the bulk
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.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus says you should ‘upgrade from your Pixel’ and switch to OnePlus 12R
The OnePlus 12R is a really good “budget” phone, but in a new ad campaign, OnePlus says that users should “upgrade from your Pixel” for it.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat band are you using on Pixel Watch? [Poll]
Google’s Pixel Watch is a wonderful smartwatch, but arguably one of its biggest flaws is a proprietary watch band connection that’s heavily limited options. What band are you using on Pixel Watch?
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Galaxy Watch 7 could get three variants and a 3nm chip, sketchy rumors claim
According to a couple of somewhat sketchy rumors floating around, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 could come in a third variant, while all models would have faster chips.
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Samsung’s cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 to lack S Pen as Huawei challenges on foldables
Ahead of its launch event later this year, we’re getting more info about Samsung’s cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 which will lack S Pen support.
Expand Expanding CloseLatest Google Pixel update finally fixes notification history
For the past few months, notification history on Google Pixel phones has been broken, but the March 2024 update finally fixes the feature.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can access Google Gemini by going to ‘ai.com’
Google Gemini is a useful AI tool, but it’s really only accessible through a website. As a fun trick, though, you can actually get to Google Gemini by simply visiting the website “ai.com,” which now redirects to the tool.
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More Reddit ads will start looking a whole lot like regular posts
Reddit has announced a new ad format that will make ads look much like normal posts in your feed.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle just missed the perfect opportunity to tease the Pixel 9
For the past few years, Google has been using the same cheeky joke on March 14 to promote its Pixel lineup, but this year, it feels like Google really missed the perfect chance to drop a Pixel 9 teaser.
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Samsung Galaxy S24+ is a hit as the whole series is outselling Galaxy S23
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series has been a hit, outselling the Galaxy S23 series so far in multiple regions. And the winner in it all? The Galaxy S24+.
Expand Expanding CloseBeeper launches redesigned Android app in beta with new features, but no iMessage
Now that the dust has settled around the Beeper Mini situation, Beeper is turning attention to its original app which is getting a massive revamp on Android starting today.
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Samsung reiterates that One UI 6.1 is releasing later this month for these Galaxy devices
Samsung’s big Galaxy AI update is right around the corner, as the company is reiterating that One UI 6.1 is set to drop on select Galaxy devices in the next couple of weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseAsus Zenfone 11 Ultra launches with huge display and $899 price
The Asus Zenfone lineup has held its entire reputation over the past few years on being the one good small phone that also had a good price tag. Well, that’s over, with Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra launching today with a big display and an even bigger price.
Expand Expanding CloseThere’s another new Android boot logo with ‘The Bot’ mascot on some devices
Google revamped Android’s branding in late 2023 with “The Bot” as the new mascot. And while Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones have been picking up new boot animations inspired by this updated mascot, there’s another 3D Android boot logo showing up on some devices.
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WhatsApp may soon let you pin up to five chats
WhatsApp is expanding support for pinning chats, raising the limit to five chats.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music preparing ‘Trim Silence’ option for podcasts
As Google Podcasts fades away, YouTube Music is bolstering its podcasts offering as a new update prepares to add a “Trim Silence” option.
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OpenAI’s impressive ‘Sora’ text-to-video AI to be available publicly later this year
“Sora” is an AI model from OpenAI which can turn text prompts into jaw-dropping 60-second videos and, now, OpenAI says it will become publicly available later on in 2024.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel Fold 2 display sizes leak
The Google Pixel Fold 2 looks like a massively improved device over the original, and now new leaks are giving us a better picture of the size of the displays.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung realizes it has too many phones, Galaxy A55 isn’t coming to the US
For the first time in a while, Samsung won’t be bringing one of its most popular Galaxy A-series smartphones to the US, with the Galaxy A55 confirmed to not launch in the region.
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