VP of engineering at Google and the co-lead of Gemini, Noam Shazeer, has announced he is departing his role to work at OpenAI.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini’s co-lead is leaving Google to join OpenAI
Author
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 has ended Nest Mini and Nest Audio production, discontinuing both speakers
Google has confirmed that it has ended production of the Nest Mini and Nest Audio, its 5+ year old smart speakers, as the Google Home speaker is now replacing both devices.
Expand Expanding CloseWaze is sending drivers World Cup scores behind the wheel – here’s how to turn it off
The World Cup is in full swing and, with it, many are glued to finding out the scores of each match. Waze, though, has rolled out a new enabled-by-default feature that shows World Cup scores as a pop-up for drivers. Great if you’re an avid fan, less so if you’re just trying to get directions home, and user reactions are pretty mixed.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolls out AI-powered ‘Edit with Ask Photos’ to these new countries
After launching in just four countries last year, Google Photos is expanding its AI-powered “Edit with Ask Photos” experience to five new regions.
Expand Expanding Close
Android Auto has suddenly lost its Facebook Messenger app
While most Android Auto users just want to use the platform for navigation and music, apps can provide extra value. Messaging apps, for instance, can be a useful way to access messages safely behind the wheel, which is why some Android Auto users are frustrated that the Facebook Messenger app has suddenly vanished.
Expand Expanding Close
Gemini CLI and Code Assist shut down for consumers this week amid Antigravity focus
Coding is something that AI models have proven very useful for, but as Google shifts focus to its Antigravity tools, the company is shutting down Gemini Code Assist tools for consumer-level use.
Expand Expanding CloseHonor’s Android 17 update might be the most blatant Liquid Glass clone yet [Video]
Honor has officially shown off its Android 17 update, MagicOS 11, which is easily the most blatant copy of Apple’s Liquid Glass design language we’ve seen to date.
Expand Expanding Close
Disney+ is disabling Dolby Vision and 3D content in 11 countries
Disney+ is blocking support for Dolby Vision and 3D content on its platform in 11 countries as a result of a legal ruling.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 17 can copy more data from iPhone including your iMessage history and homescreen
Google is introducing a massive upgrade to its “Android Switch” tool in Android 17, with the ability to copy more data than ever when switching from iPhone to Android, and it might be able to copy more data than you get when moving between Android phones.
Expand Expanding CloseLenovo’s Snapdragon X2 Windows laptops are worth your attention amid RAMageddon
I’ve been worried about the next generation of Windows laptops, to the point where I begrudingly bought a MacBook Air earlier this year because I figured my next Windows upgrade would be a costly one. After spending some time with Lenovo’s latest batch of Snapdragon X2-powered Windows laptops, though, I wish I’d waited – despite RAMageddon, Lenovo is putting out some solid machines here at prices that make sense.
Expand Expanding CloseXREAL’s Android XR glasses will cost under $1,500, which isn’t as expensive as it sounds
XREAL Aura, the company’s first pair of Android XR glasses, are officially set to launch this Fall, but we don’t have a price just yet. All we know is that, according to XREAL, Aura will cost under $1,500.
Expand Expanding CloseSnap Specs are AR glasses that look like that and cost $2,195 [Gallery]
Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has just announced the long-anticipated release of its Specs AR smart glasses which will cost $2,195.
Expand Expanding CloseXREAL’s Android XR glasses launch ‘this fall’ with Project Hail Mary & Fallout games, $99 reservations open
Following a first look at Google I/O last month, XREAL has today confirmed that its Android XR glasses, Aura, will be launching this Fall with reservations open today, and a list of confirmed apps and games too.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out fix for Gemini after it couldn’t make calls on Android and Android Auto [U]
The transition to Gemini on Android Auto has been a bit rough for a number of reasons, but a current bug has left some users unable to make calls due to a strange error, and it’s not just an issue behind the wheel.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify is ditching username sign-in later this year
Spotify has communicated with its subscribers that, starting later this year, username sign-in will no longer be available with the platform switching to email-based sign-in.
Expand Expanding CloseSpider-Man: Brand New Day will be full of Samsung foldables, new trailer Wednesday
Ahead of a new trailer for Sony & Marvel’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day arriving tomorrow, Samsung has confirmed that its Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold devices will feature in the film, alongside a new “Spidey Tracker” that Samsung is helping Sony build.
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon’s new loyalty program rewards existing customers alongside new ‘Simplicity’ plan
Verizon is today introducing some big changes to its cellular plans, including a “Simplicity” offer that strips away the clutter, while also introducing some new loyalty rewards for existing customers.
Expand Expanding CloseMicrosoft’s new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro upgrade to Snapdragon X2 and start at $1,499
Roughly two years after the last generation debuted, Microsoft is today unveiling its new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models, both of which upgrade to Snapdragon X2, with a starting price of $1,499.
Expand Expanding CloseChipolo Loop tracker for Android Find Hub gets new color combos, available today
The Chipolo Loop is getting a splash of color, with some limited edition “Deep Sunset” and “Morning Mist” options launching today.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung Galaxy Book 6 Edge with Snapdragon X2 Elite is $2,100, only 16GB of RAM
Samsung has just announced its first Galaxy Book laptop powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and, while it looks great, it’s hard to annoy the sky-high price tag.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home gets a new Nest-like $77 floodlight camera from Walmart [Gallery]
Google Home is continuing its partnership with Walmart’s Onn brand, now delivering a Nest-like floodlight camera that costs $200 less than Google’s own.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Chrome’s next update will mark the end of popular ad blockers
Google Chrome’s move to Manifest V3 for extensions is closing its final loophole and, with it, bringing the end of many ad blocker tools.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 8 ‘Wide’ reportedly has a stronger inner display than the ‘Ultra’
According to a new report, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8, the one otherwise known as “Wide,” will have better inner display ultra-thin glass than the device known as “Ultra.”
Expand Expanding CloseRoku is being bought out by Fox for $22 billion
Fox has announced its intention to buy Roku in a deal valued at $22 billion.
Expand Expanding Close