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 Galaxy S23 series is just days away from launch, and leaks continue to offer further clarification on specs – including a downgraded selfie camera on Galaxy S23 Ultra – and the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy” under the hood.
Expand Expanding Close
Using Twitter has been a wild ride for the past couple of months, with updates and changes coming constantly. With the latest updates to Twitter for Android and iOS, the option to send a direct message through an account’s profile has disappeared.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Chrome is set to get a “refresh” to its interface sometime in 2023, and work is already underway. Thanks to how Google works on Chrome, we can get a sneak peek of what’s in store for the upcoming redesign.
Expand Expanding Close
In the wake of Google Stadia’s death, many are searching for an alternative gaming platform to call home. If the Steam Deck turned out to be your replacement for Google’s platform, a neat new theme invokes memories of Stadia on the handheld.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Search is picking up a new trick that might help you buy a new car, as car dealers can now show their inventory directly in search listings.
Expand Expanding Close
The smartphone industry had a rough end to 2022, with the “largest-ever decline” in shipments in Q4, though Samsung actually managed to gain some traction in the increasingly competitive space.
Expand Expanding Close
If your Android Auto sessions lately have been plagued with a “Searching for GPS” issue, you’re not alone.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung has long used a mix of Exynos and Snapdragon chips for its Galaxy flagship phones, but with the Galaxy S23 series, the company is set to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally, and it seems it won’t be the only flagship doing so.
Expand Expanding Close
Following its announcement last year, the Razer Edge gaming handheld is officially available starting today.
Expand Expanding Close
A decade after launching its first smartphone, OnePlus is finally making its first Android tablet in the “OnePlus Pad,” coming in just a couple of short weeks.
Expand Expanding Close
The rise of AMD-powered Chromebooks has arrived, with Acer’s new Chromebook Spin 514 being one of the first big launches. After a brief spin with it last year, I’ve been using the Spin 514 with its AMD Ryzen 5 5000 series processor for the past few weeks. Here’s what you should know.
Expand Expanding Close
While Samsung doesn’t appear to be changing prices in the United States, the company’s upcoming Galaxy S23 series seems like it will cost a bit more across Europe.
Expand Expanding Close
Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass has proven itself to be a hit, with new figures from the company offering some insight into further growth going into 2023.
Expand Expanding Close
Advertising on your TV has become something expected of virtually every platform, and it’s something that has hit Android TV OS over the past few years. Now, though, Google TV is taking things a step further by introducing ads for physical products and stores.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is rolling out a new update to the Galaxy Watch 5 series that brings support for a new “Device Diagnostics” tool as well as delivering an updated security patch.
Expand Expanding Close
After launching in beta late last year, Google’s redesign of Android Auto is now getting full support for one of Google’s own mapping apps, as Waze now supports the Android Auto “Coolwalk” dashboard.
Expand Expanding Close
In the wake of the death of Google Stadia last week, the cloud gaming community is searching for new options. To help with that, Amazon Luna is conveniently offering an extended two-month free trial.
Expand Expanding Close
Journey to the Savage Planet went on a wild ride during Google Stadia’s brief life, and now that the game has escaped Google’s shutdown, the “Employee of the Month Edition” that first debuted on Stadia is headed to Xbox and PS5.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has quietly updated the interface on the Nest Hub with a new “Security” page, but with the unfortunate side effect of making it much harder to access cameras without using voice.
Expand Expanding Close
In the Galaxy S lineup, the smallest base model has been getting the short end of the stick for the past few generations in many ways. But with the Galaxy S23, Samsung is at least matching the brightness of the screen on its smallest phone.
Expand Expanding Close
You should update the Galaxy Store on your Samsung smartphone and/or tablet immediately, as a security hole leaves your device at potential risk.
Expand Expanding Close
Android Auto has supported wireless connections for a few years now, but it’s only been over the past year that folks have been able to use it widely. And, now, Google has decided to remove the toggle that made it easy to turn off wireless Android Auto in the latest app update.
Expand Expanding Close
Free streaming channels have become a popular offering for many brands, and Samsung’s TV Plus has especially made an impact in recent years. Now, Samsung is reportedly working on bringing TV Plus to other smart TV platforms, including TVs sold by TCL.
Expand Expanding Close
The Oppo Find N2 Flip was announced late last year as Oppo’s first foldable for the global market, and it seems that launch is finally incoming, as new leaks offer full specs and a potential timeline for the release of the Oppo Find N2 Flip.
Expand Expanding Close