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
YouTube Shorts has earned its place as one of the best short-form video offerings – aka TikTok clones – partially because it gets a lot of things right. One of the handy parts of YouTube Shorts both for creators and viewers was the ability to share links, but that’s ending because of spam.
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Spatial Audio made its debut last year as a way of making audio from music and videos more immersive, by Google’s description, but it has always required headphones. The Google Pixel Fold, though, supports Spatial Audio through its built-in speakers, and it’s the only Pixel that can do it.
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Nvidia GeForce Now has held the crown for cloud gaming performance for a while now, and it’s just getting better. After launching its new “Ultimate” tier based on the RTX 4080 earlier this year, Nvidia says the best GeForce Now has to offer is available to everyone.
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After a false start earlier this week, Samsung has officially announced its Android 14 update, One UI 6, with a beta program now open for the Galaxy S23 series.
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Dark mode is pretty much an expected feature of modern mobile apps, but Snapchat on Android has locked it behind a monthly subscription for a while now. But, finally, that’s changing as the feature has gone free.
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One of the biggest criticisms of foldable smartphones from Samsung and others over the past couple of years has been durability, as stories of spontaneously broken displays have made their way through the web. More torture tests of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, though, continue to show that Samsung’s devices are more durable than they’re given credit for.
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Some OnePlus users have been dealing with a strange “green line” issue with their screens, and as a result, the brand will now offer a lifetime screen warranty.
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Waze is a great mapping service, but its Android Auto app is currently dealing with a niche issue that disables directions in the heads-up display of some BMW vehicles.
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Recommended videos keep users engaged on YouTube, but starting today, YouTube will stop showing recommended videos in some places, such as the homepage, if your watch history is turned off entirely.
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If you’re experiencing issues with YouTube TV or live content on YouTube through an Apple device, you’re not alone, as Google has confirmed an ongoing issue with YouTube TV on iOS devices (both iPhone and iPad).
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PlayStation cloud gaming hasn’t really taken off in the same way that Microsoft’s efforts have in the Xbox world, but Sony is preparing a major step up. This week, Sony has started streaming PlayStation 5 games through cloud gaming, and at up to 4K resolution.
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Samsung’s latest foldable phones seem to be a hit, with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 together breaking pre-order records with over 1 million orders in the company’s home country of South Korea alone.
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The world’s most popular browser, Google Chrome, is the source is a lawsuit that Google will soon face. A judge recently ruled that Google will have to face a lawsuit from plaintiffs who accuse the Chrome browser of tracking users while they use incognito mode.
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Microsoft’s Bing AI has been available since February, and as it crosses its six-month milestone, the company is confirming further expansions to more browsers.
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Samsung’s new foldable smartphones are here, but Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 are just as expensive as they’ve always been. Here’s where to pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, and where you can get the best deal.
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The latest Spotify update on Android is causing major issues, as users from multiple devices are completely unable to open the app.
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Samsung just launched the Galaxy Tab S9 series, but there are more high-end tablets on the way. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE series is coming, and a few new leaks help confirm that it’s not too far away.
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Android Auto and CarPlay continue to be a huge selling point for new cars, but for years now, many Mazda cars have lacked the touchscreen needed to really enjoy those infotainment experiences. With the 2024 Mazda CX-5, a touchscreen is on the way.
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Samsung has just announced that One UI 6, the company’s take on Android 14, is launching in beta starting this month on the Galaxy S23 series.
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Inbox by Gmail was a beloved way to handle email, but Google, unfortunately, killed the project and, in the years since, only a small portion of its features have come to Gmail. Shortwave, though, has offered a third-party alternative and, now, it’s finally available as a native Android app for everyone.
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The Google Pixel 8 series is just a couple of months away from its debut, and a new leak is now detailing storage options and more.
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Foldable smartphones have reached their fifth major generation, as heralded by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, and the major expansion of brands that are stepping up to the plate. With so many options out there, what’s stopping you from getting a foldable?
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The Nothing Phone (2) has great software, and seemingly also solid support, as the second update is already rolling out with the July 2023 security patch and more.
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The OnePlus Open seems like a compelling foldable smartphone, but it seems it might not be what we’ve been expecting. Updated leaks of the first OnePlus foldable suggest that it will be a lot more like the Pixel Fold and Oppo Find N2 than was expected.
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