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
Under Lenovo’s roof, Motorola clearly has a focus on the Chinese market, often with new devices released there ahead of other regions. This week, Motorola is taking to Weibo to tease new details of its upcoming smartphones, with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 foldable and a 200MP camera on the horizon.
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The Chromecast with Google TV is a great product, but it’s one that’s clearly showing problems as it ages. One issue is that the Chromecast hasn’t received an actual system update in nearly six months, which is why a recent tweet from Google feels like such a tease.
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It’s finally happening. After a false start last year, Google TV is rolling out Profiles starting today.
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MediaTek was once known for being the go-to choice for super-cheap Android phones, but the company has been changing that reputation in recent years. This week, MediaTek is announcing the Dimensirty 1050, its first chip with mmWave 5G, as well as some other chips.
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Google’s legacy in earbuds is… complicated. There’s been a lot to love with the Pixel Buds series, but also some serious mistakes. Now, we’re preparing for the launch of the Pixel Buds Pro, and they have to learn from Google’s mistakes and problems to date.
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The lesser-known cloud gaming service Shadow is this week getting a “Power Upgrade,” with a new subscription option that adds the power of an RTX 3070 GPU and more.
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Google Stadia has dates for a bunch of new family games coming to the platform, as it also added a huge classic this week.
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Amazon has one of the most popular “forks” of the Android operating system with its Fire OS for tablets, and finally, the company is upgrading to Android 11.
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Just last month, Epic Games announced that it would acquire the music platform Bandcamp. Now, Bandcamp is the latest reason Epic Games is taking legal action against Google, this time over the tech giant’s Android app billing crackdown.
This article was last updated on May 20. Scroll down for the latest.
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During a Reddit AMA this week, Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates revealed he uses an Android phone with a big canvas, but it isn’t Microsoft’s own Surface Duo. Instead, Bill Gates uses a Galaxy Z Fold 3 as his daily smartphone.
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Google Maps is a phenomenal tool for finding your way around unfamiliar roads, but in some regions, local knowledge prevails. Recently, a group of tourists followed Google Maps directions through a flooded stream.
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Google has spent the better part of a decade trying to push the Pixel in the smartphone market with the United States as its main target. On the back of the Pixel 6 series, it seems Google has finally solidified that slot, with a new report seeing nearly 400% growth in Q1 2022.
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It seems the Galaxy Z Flip 4 will be shipping with a bigger battery, and a new leak all but confirms it’s going to be a bigger upgrade than some earlier leaks suggested.
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Google’s latest Pixel phone is the mid-range Pixel 6a, which arrives this July for around $450. The device comes with Google Tensor and a familiar design, as well as delivering a new “Sage” green color that’s exclusive to the Pixel 6a. In some countries, though, Pixel 6a colors are a little limited. Here’s what you need to know.
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eSIM is a brilliant way to simplify cellular plans, but to say it’s underused is certainly an understatement. Today, though, Verizon-owned Visible is announcing support for eSIM on Android, with Google Pixel 6, Pixel 5, and several Samsung phones on the list.
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We’re slowly moving to a world where the traditional wallet and car keys are things of the past, and everything is handled by your smartphone. This week, Hyundai’s Genesis brand launched the GV60 electric vehicle, and it can be unlocked and started using Samsung smartphones with UWB.
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Playing Fortnite on mobile phones is about to get a lot better, as Nvidia GeForce Now is rolling out support for the full hit game with touch controls on both Android and iOS.
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Small Android phones are dead. As sad as it is to say, it’s extremely unlikely that a flagship Android phone will come out in the foreseeable future. Let’s go over why.
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Google announced its Pixel Buds Pro recently, but they’re still a few weeks out. If you’re in need of the Assistant integration, smart features, and active noise cancellation today, Sony LinkBuds S might be exactly what you need.
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As confirmed last week, Ubisoft is bringing its new game Roller Champions to Stadia. Today, the publisher officially announced everything about the upcoming free-to-play game, as well as announcing that it won’t launch day-and-date on Stadia.
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The Google Play Store has apparently blocked the relatively popular file manager, Total Commander, from sideloading APK files by threat of removal from the app from the store.
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Ecobee this week revealed a new batch of smart thermostats which, as usual, include support for Google Assistant among other things. Also new in this year’s Ecobee thermostat lineup is the addition of a built-in air quality monitor and a new radar sensor, just like Google’s thermostat.
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Amazon just revealed a new refresh of its super-affordable Android tablet, the Fire 7 (2022). And after years of using an outdated standard, Amazon is finally bringing USB-C to the Fire 7.
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After running on its own Tizen operating system for the better part of a decade for smartwatches, Samsung finally embraced Google’s Wear OS last year. However, a clever developer has been able to install Wear OS on the Gear S3, Samsung’s 2016 smartwatch.
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