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
The Nothing Phone (2)’s software might just be its biggest asset – not based on its features but on its stability and polish. However, it does have some good features too. Nothing is now rolling out a monochrome icon pack for Phone (2) that themes not just supported icons but everything on your homescreen.
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Nomad is a premium accessory brand that primarily makes Apple gear, but from time to time, there’s a product perfect for Android devices too. Today, Nomad is launching the ChargeKey, a revival of one of the company’s older products, a charging cable that fits on your keychain and – thanks to USB-C – is perfect for power sharing.
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We’re less than a week out from Samsung’s next big Unpacked event, but the leaks keep coming, now including a fresh look at the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and its powerful spec sheet.
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Galaxy Watch owners are getting an upgrade to Samsung Wallet, as the smartwatch app is adding support for showing boarding passes, tickets, and more from your wrist.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, and now the upcoming Galaxy Watch 6, have a built-in temperature sensor that isn’t really used for much, but a new app will change that.
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Ever since there was an issue with YouTube TV’s DVR function in recent months, some users have noticed a problem with recordings having ads that cannot be skipped. However, YouTube TV is aware.
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Rolling out today, WhatsApp is getting a Wear OS app for all users after a brief stint in beta.
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Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch 6 series is set to launch next week, and a new leak details the full specs of the new duo of smartwatches.
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Microsoft has doubled down on its AI chatbot within Bing, but on desktops, that experience only works on the company’s Edge browser. Now, though, Microsoft have started pushing Bing AI on Google Chrome users, even though they can’t use it.
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On July 26, Samsung will unveil its next batch of devices, which includes foldables, tablets, and smartwatches, and a new teaser from TM Roh confirms that Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 will be thinner and lighter than others.
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The OnePlus 12 is set to make its debut in December, and now we’re getting a peek at the specs including a new chip and the surprisingly disappointing telephoto camera.
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The classic retro game Space Invaders is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this year, and with that is also coming the release of a new AR title from Google and Taito which is available now on Android and iOS.
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Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 are right around the corner with discounts already available, but ahead of the full announcement, new renders have revealed cases for the new foldables that have a built-in ring grip and kickstand.
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Recent updates to Android Auto and Google Maps are leaving the navigation app open when you leave the car, which is an annoying little bug.
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Android 14’s latest beta paves the way for a full launch sometime next month, but it’s still hinting at more features to come. One of those upcoming changes might be a warning when you try to sideload Google apps on Android 14.
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At its Unpacked event on July 26, Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Watch 6 series and, over the past couple of days, more images and details, such as the size, have leaked.
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We’re just over a week out from Samsung’s next Unpacked event, and leaks of Galaxy Z Flip 5, Fold 5, Tab S9, and more just keep coming. Over the weekend, that included a batch of Galaxy Z Flip 5 images that show off what the new cover display can do, from a full keyboard to the widgets available.
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So, OnePlus makes a mechanical keyboard now. I’m still not sure why, but the OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is at least a stellar product at a good price.
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Android is an excellent operating system, but how good it is all depends on the device you’re using. Google Pixel phones have long been lauded for their software experience, but the Nothing Phone (2) is a good reminder that the Pixel has lost its way a bit.
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Foldable cases have improved drastically since the first couple of generations, and you’ll find more and more brands making them too. But it’s still very much worth looking at how those cases work in actual use. Over the past couple of days, I’ve been using Bellroy’s case for the Google Pixel Fold; I’m blown away at how very extremely not good this case is.
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The Nothing Phone (2) launched this week and, as the first customers already have their phones, the first update is now rolling out.
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While Android tablets are seeing somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, Samsung has never really given up on the form factor. With new flagship tablets set to launch later this month, Samsung also appears to be working on a Galaxy Tab S9 FE series of more affordable tablets, and this time with multiple sizes.
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Gmail appears to be rolling out a new UI update on foldables, adding a useful navigation rail to the app.
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OnePlus has already confirmed that its first foldable, rumored to be called the “OnePlus Open,” will arrive in Q3, and now, new information is dialing in an August 29 launch date and a window for the OnePlus 12 too.
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