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 foldable Motorola Razr+ (2023) is a killer flip phone, but trying to get a good trade-in for the device to save some money is just not a good route. Luckily, though, Motorola is already opening up a huge sale on the Razr+.
Expand Expanding Close
The Nothing Phone (2) is confirmed for launch on July 11 and, ahead of that launch, Carl Pei has today opened up the floodgates to camera samples, so we can show you what we have so far.
Expand Expanding Close
The upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 is bringing with it a big update to Samsung’s foldable hinge and new real-life images offer a closer look at how that acts as an improvement.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Pixel Tablet is a unique product and a good reminder that not every tablet needs to double as a full-on computer.
Expand Expanding Close
Last month Walmart debuted its first Google TV device in the form of an ultra-cheap 4K streaming box. Now, it seems the retailer is preparing to launch something even cheaper in a Google TV streaming stick.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has started pulling the plug on Universal Analytics today, as GA4, the new standard, takes over.
Expand Expanding Close
The upcoming Galaxy Watch 6 series is likely coming at the end of this month, and now the devices have appeared early with their model numbers on full display.
Expand Expanding Close
On July 1, Reddit has enacted a new API policy that charges exorbitant fees to developers of third-party apps for the website, which is having the effect of shutting down these popular apps, including Reddit is Fun, Sync for Reddit, and more.
Expand Expanding Close
The Google Pixel 8 series is set to make its debut in a few months, but big details just continue to keep coming out. Now, we’re hearing more about battery size and charging speed on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and it’s all good news.
Expand Expanding Close
Android Auto has long carried a frustrating restriction that prevents Google Maps from being opened on the connected phone, but it appears that is finally changing.
Expand Expanding Close
Mastodon saw a moment in the spotlight when Elon Musk first took over Twitter, but the hype seems to have died down. For those still active on the fledgling social network, though, Mastodon for Android has a special treat in a Material You redesign to its official Android app.
Expand Expanding Close
After debuting its first tracker in 2021, Samsung seems to be preparing for the launch of a sequel in the Galaxy SmartTag 2 which just made its first appearance.
Expand Expanding Close
TicWatch owners have been waiting months for their promised Wear OS 3 update and, today, Mobvoi is finally making a meaningful step towards that launch with a beta program that users can sign up for.
Expand Expanding Close
Netflix is finally getting on board with frame rate matching on Android TV OS, which will come to Google TV devices like the Chromecast.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube ads have gotten way out of hand in recent years, but despite that, ads are still necessary to handle the costs of running the world’s largest video platform, and paying the millions of creators that make it all possible. Now, the company is confirming that it is actively testing blocking ad blockers on YouTube, and that seems to include on mobile devices, too.
Expand Expanding Close
Cases for Google Pixel phones have long been an afterthought. For the longest time, designs were boring and bland. Things are certainly getting better with time, and one gorgeous example of that is Carved’s Live Edge wood case, which turns Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro into a true work of art.
Expand Expanding Close
It’s only been a couple of days since Google started delivering Pixel Folds to customers, and already, devices are breaking. Is it time to panic? Not yet.
Expand Expanding Close
Satellite connectivity has long been something you need a dedicated device for, but the iPhone 14 and some other devices showed the world that it can be built into a smartphone. And while more devices are set to add support with time, Motorola just released a new accessory that adds satellite messaging to any smartphone.
Expand Expanding Close
Sometimes smart home tech results in the thought, “Why does anyone need this?” But in other cases, the benefits are abundantly clear, even if they aren’t always fully realized. Garage door openers are one of those pieces of smart home gear that fit into the latter, and over the past few weeks, the Tailwind system I’ve been using alongside Google Home has not only hit my expectations but has also gone above and beyond.
Expand Expanding Close
Following a series of leaks and teasers, the Asus Zenfone 10 has just launched with its compact size, a refreshed spec sheet, and the same price.
Expand Expanding Close
The Google Home app is currently experiencing what seems to be a bug that removes the ability to trigger routines on other devices.
Expand Expanding Close
Over a decade after it first launched, Google is about to pull the final plug from Google Play Movies & TV as the Android TV app is replaced with a new “Shop” tab.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has seemingly been violating its own ad policies for YouTube, making promises to advertisers that are going unfulfilled according to a new report.
Expand Expanding Close
Google introduced support for an app taskbar along the bottom of the screen for big-screen Android devices not long ago, but the feature has already changed with time to only show part of the time. With Android 14, Google seems to be preparing a tweak to the taskbar that lets it appear constantly.
Expand Expanding Close