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 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
Following the Pixel Fold’s debut, the foldable market continues to pick up steam. Today, a leak reveals some of the specs of the upcoming OnePlus foldable, rumored to be called “OnePlus V Fold,” which includes a brand-new chip and a big inner display.
Expand Expanding Close
Android app developers have a tough job in optimizing their apps for many different screen sizes, and really, it’s understandable why many just choose to focus on the core layout. But as new screen sizes continue to hit the market, the new Google Home app is a goal to follow for all Android apps.
Expand Expanding Close
The beloved mapping app Waze just suffered its second round of job cuts in 2023, with Google pulling the plug on the app’s internal ad team.
Expand Expanding Close
After skipping the Galaxy S22 FE, it wasn’t totally clear whether or not Samsung would revive its “Fan Edition” device for another round. But, seemingly, it’s going to happen, and now the Galaxy S23 FE has leaked with a design that’s exactly what you’d expect it to be.
Expand Expanding Close
Founded in 2008, the Stitcher podcasting app is shutting down following SiriusXM’s acquisition of the app.
Expand Expanding Close
When foldable phones first hit the scene, cases were a huge problem. Now, a few years later, it’s a problem that’s been solved, and the proof of that is Google’s new Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding Close
Stories have been a popular way to share moments in your life without those pictures living on in posts forever, and, over the years, they’ve shown up on just about every platform. Now, Telegram, a messaging app, is adding Stories.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Search is a powerful tool if you know how to use it, and one of the best tricks for getting good answers from real people is appending “Reddit” to your query. Amid the Reddit blackout, though, Google executives are seeing reason to double down on surfacing “comprehensive answers” in Search through user-generated content and generative AI.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the biggest downsides of foldable smartphones right now is durability and, more so, repairability. Google is breaking new ground with the Pixel Fold, though, with repair parts that will be available through iFixit.
Expand Expanding Close
Stadia has been dead for a few months now, but every once in a while, we learn more about the factors that killed it. In a recent hearing, former Google Stadia head Dov Zimring confirmed a few details about why Stadia killed its game studio.
Expand Expanding Close
Security systems can be good for alerting you to an intruder in your home, but a warning sign in the yard only goes so far in deterring criminals. Launching today with the brand’s new hardware, SimpliSafe is now offering a service that will deter a break-in as it happens – or at least try to – with “24/7 Live Guard.”
Expand Expanding Close
Android tablets that use e-ink are becoming more common, and the new Boox Tab Mini C is a compact option that has a color display and a fair price point.
Expand Expanding Close
The Matter smart home standard has been slow to add new devices and form factors but, slowly, it’s expanding. Today, the first in-wall light switch with Matter support baked in has launched with TP-Link’s new Tapo switch.
Expand Expanding Close
A new set of leaks of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5 offers up our first real-life look at the device, hints of a higher price tag, and also renders of the foldable’s color options.
Expand Expanding Close
Pixel phones have an unfortunate pattern forming when it comes to updates causing issues with battery life, and it seems the June update is causing another round of issues with battery drain for some users.
Expand Expanding Close
Flip phones are making a comeback in the foldable era, and I can’t help but think that Google’s Pixel experience would be the perfect fit for the form factor.
Expand Expanding Close
The Google Pixel 8 series will reportedly add a new trick not found on past Pixel phones – display output over USB-C.
Expand Expanding Close
Sony’s Xperia lineup of Android phones has never been particularly popular, and despite the sky-high pricing making them almost impossible to recommend, the company isn’t throwing in the towel any time soon, as Sony has just committed to years of further Android releases.
Expand Expanding Close
Microsoft’s efforts with cloud gaming on Xbox Game Pass have bolstered the entire industry, but they’ve also been quite limited. Apparently, though, Microsoft had much grander plans for cloud gaming, they’re just been shelved for the time being.
Expand Expanding Close
The new Google Home app is excellent with one of its best features being the customizable “Favorites” tab, and, now, you can finally add lighting groups to that tab.
Expand Expanding Close
Foldable flip phones have suffered from poor cameras for a while, but it’s an area where Oppo has been making strides. The Find N2 Flip already had a great camera setup, and according to a new leak, the Oppo Find N3 Flip will take things even further.
Expand Expanding Close
Emergency calls are a crucial function of your smartphone, and many brands have made efforts to make those calls more accessible in an emergency. But Android’s “Emergency SOS” feature is currently under fire for causing accidental calls, and it’s going to lead to Google making changes.
Expand Expanding Close
The new Google Home app left its limited preview and rolled out to all users in May, but has now randomly disappeared for some users.
Expand Expanding Close