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’s Pixel 7a might see a release well ahead of the summer launches of its two predecessors. Apparently, the Pixel 7a’s release date could be very close to Google I/O.
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Ahead of its final release later this year, Google has just launched the first beta version of Android 14, giving us the best look yet at what the platform’s next big upgrade will be bringing to the table.
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Motorola’s foldable Razr is set to come back in a big way this year, and it seems we might be getting even more than expected. Apparently, there are two Motorola Razr devices in the pipeline, with the “Razr Lite” showing up in new renders.
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The smart home is going through a sort of reinvention with the arrival of Matter, and that’s given the market a chance to improve on old ideas and try out new ones too. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been able to use one of those new ideas in Samsung’s SmartThings Station, a Matter hub that can wirelessly charge your phone and control smart home devices with the push of a button.
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After showing up online this week, Walmart’s Google TV streaming dongle appears to be set for imminent release, with devices already on store shelves.
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Following the reveal that T-Mobile will acquire the brand, Mint Mobile is today giving out free data to customers through boosts to each plan.
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A long-missed feature may be making a comeback. As hinted at by Android 14’s first beta, there’s a good chance that Google Wallet could revive support for location-based loyalty cards in the future.
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The first new beta release of Android 14 went live earlier this week on Pixel phones, and with it a good number of forward-facing and behind-the-scenes changes. Included in that is a new setting in Android 14 that blocks apps from using full-screen notifications.
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The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is on its way and, with it, a focus on improving the camera experience. Now, a teaser image confirms the camera specs of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which seem enticing, to say the least.
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Generative AI has become incredibly popular, and for Microsoft, it’s become the key to growing Bing. Now, the AI chatbot that makes the “new Bing” so attractive is coming to the SwiftKey keyboard for Android.
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Asus is continuing its line of powerful gaming phones, with the new ROG Phone 7 series arriving with new specs and new features, including a new cooler and AI recording for gameplay.
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Walmart launched its Onn streaming device in 2021 with the most affordable price tag we’d ever seen on an Android TV dongle. Now, Walmart is gearing up to launch its sequel, with a new Google TV streamer that has updated specs and a revamped remote.
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Smaller phones have mostly disappeared from the flagship market in recent years, but it seems Google is looking to split the difference to some extent with the Pixel 8’s display coming in a bit smaller than expected.
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After weeks of rumors, Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its “new” streaming service, “Max,” which will combine HBO Max and Discovery+ into a single service with new pricing, an updated app, and a lot of new content on the way.
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On-screen navigation is one of the things that made earlier versions of Android unique, and as time has gone on, that feature has evolved. In Android 14 Beta 1, Google is finally addressing a long-standing complaint with the navigation bar appearance that finally forces apps to have a “transparent” navigation bar.
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Dark mode has been a staple of Android apps for the past few years, but there are still some notorious holdouts, like Fitbit, when it comes to not offering the feature. Now, it’s looking like Snapchat for Android is working on the feature but may be limiting who can use it.
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The Asus ROG Phone 7 is set to launch at an event tomorrow, but today, a new set of leaks tell us almost everything we need to know about the pair of gaming phones.
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Last year Oppo and OnePlus had to pause all sales in Germany, and now Vivo is facing the same issue under a patent dispute with Nokia.
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Update 4/21: PhoneArena has corrected its original test results, finding that wireless charging on the Galaxy S23 series is roughly the same as the Galaxy S22 series.
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series delivers on stellar performance and excellent battery life, but the phones also apparently slow down wireless charging quite considerably.
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Samsung and McAfee announced a new extension to its ongoing deal with McAfee that will continue to install the company’s “security solutions” on Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
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As rumors of a new PlayStation handheld swirl, Sony appears to be making a push to reinvigorate its cloud gaming efforts.
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Rolling out starting today, Google TV is adding hundreds of new streaming channels to its homescreen, all available for free.
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Following several leaks in recent weeks, Vivo has officially confirmed an April 20 launch event for its next foldables, the Vivo X Flip and Vivo X Fold 2.
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Warmer temperatures are finally coming, and with it the itch to get outdoors. Starting later this month, Google Maps will be able to assist in your outdoor expeditions, with new features that help you navigate through US national parks.
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