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
After being granted clearance earlier this month, and starting the rollout yesterday, Fitbit is confirming a few more details regarding Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications, including where and how they work.
Expand Expanding Close
One of Google’s biggest partners for Android Automotive in the US market is Ford, but the carmaker has just announced that its transition to its Android system is well behind schedule and will be delayed by a few months.
Expand Expanding Close
The first major leak of the Pixel Watch has arrived and with it, the confirmation that Google is ditching reliance on the old pin system for smartwatch bands. The Pixel Watch will have a proprietary band, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Expand Expanding Close
Sony’s unique LinkBuds doubled down on the idea of open sound in earbuds, but it seems their sibling may go for a more balanced approach. A leak claims to show off the “Sony LinkBuds S,” which have a vent similar to Google’s Pixel Buds.
Expand Expanding Close
Zoom launched its revamped Chromebook app last year with some big upgrades, but it was still a limited experience compared to other platforms. As a part of its latest updates, the Zoom PWA for Chromebook app has picked up better support for virtual background options and more.
Expand Expanding Close
The community of Twitter has been asking for the ability to edit typos and other errors in tweets for years, and finally the social network confirmed an edit button was coming. Now, we’ve been able to uncover an early look.
Expand Expanding Close
This was an awful week to be Netflix, as the company announced its first ever quarter with a subscriber loss, and more to come following continues price hikes. In an effort to reverse that, Netflix also has plans to adopt an ad-supported plan, and crack down on password sharing. Read on for more about Netflix and the rest of what’s on Google TV.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Stadia’s release pace didn’t get any better this week, but there’s quite a bit to look forward to. This week, Stadia confirmed a release for Five Nights at Freddy’s, and there was also a hint that Hot Wheels Unleashed could also be coming.
Expand Expanding Close
As the foldable market gets more competitive, Samsung will need to improve its own offering. According to a couple of new reports, Samsung is planning to have a wider screen for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it won’t have better battery life from the looks of it.
Expand Expanding Close
LG is living up to its promise of ensuring its final batch of Android phones continue to get the updates they’re deserved, and now another one is rolling out. This week, the LG V60 ThinQ picked up its Android 12 update in the US.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung still has the only smartwatch running the new Wear OS 3 that it worked with Google to build out. According to a new report, Samsung is prepping to double down on that with the Galaxy Watch 5 series, which will include a new Wear OS skin, as well as the removal of the “Classic” design.
Expand Expanding Close
“Are you breaking stuff over there?” my wife said, seconds after my phone hit the ground. Sadly, though, I was. My Pixel 6 Pro’s display was dead and, for the first time in years, it was time to figure out the cost and time it would take to repair my daily driver. Here’s my experience with a walk-in Google Pixel 6 Pro repair and screen replacement went.
Expand Expanding Close
CNN+ is launching today as a premium streaming service on top of the major news network, with additional original programming and more. Unfortunately, CNN+ is launching without an app for Google TV and Android TV.
Expand Expanding Close
OnePlus has been playing coy about the standard OnePlus 10 while promoting the 10 Pro, but details are finally coming out. A fresh leak of the OnePlus 10 reveals that the phone will feature 150W charging and more.
Expand Expanding Close
As Earth Day approaches, Samsung has debuted a new batch of accessories that are sustainably developed with Sean Wotherspoon for the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Watch 4.
Expand Expanding Close
In its latest show of support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict with Russia, Google is now showcasing support for those affected in the country with easy donations within the Play Store.
Expand Expanding Close
Google TV has shown up on a lot of full-size TVs, but very few streaming sticks and boxes. This week, little-known Android TV partner Mecool has announced its first Google TV streaming stick in the KD3, but it has the same unfortunate Achilles’ heel as Google’s device.
Expand Expanding Close
There haven’t been many major releases on Google Stadia so far this year, but today the platform is announcing a pretty big new addition. Coming soon, last year’s entry in the Five Nights at Freddy’s series, Security Breach, will be available on Google Stadia.
Expand Expanding Close
As Google’s efforts on the TV expand, new devices are launching with Android TV and Google TV. This week, TCL has announced a new batch of 2022 Google TV models destined for the European market, but unfortunately, they don’t deliver Android 12.
Expand Expanding Close
The smartphone industry has certainly hit a plateau, and in Q1 2022, numbers are actively dropping. However, despite overall market failings, Samsung and Apple are continuing to eat up the majority of the market.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s foldable lineup has grown a lot over the past few years, with the third time truly being the charm. However, there’s a lot to get excited about with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 4, and it seems that includes a big camera update, as well as hinge tweaks.
Expand Expanding Close
Wireless Android Auto has been around for quite a while now, but for ages, it felt like something that only a brand new car would solve. That all changed with the arrival of wireless Android Auto dongles, and the Motorola MA1 dongle was pitched as the “easy” version, with a dead-simple experience and direct backing from Google. After a few months of use, though, I’m not so convinced MA1 is the best option.
Expand Expanding Close
The Pixel 6a is coming up soon and brings a lot to the table, but it seems the phone won’t support a feature from its flagship brethren. According to some new evidence, it seems the Pixel 6a won’t support “Motion Mode” photography.
Expand Expanding Close
Colors have also been a key part of Google’s Pixel lineup, from the stunning “Really Blue” original Pixel to the delightful “Sorta Seafoam” and “Kinda Coral” on this year’s Pixel 6. But the colors Google provides really only scratch the surface. Now, a “Panda” repair job to a Pixel 6 Pro has us thinking, what’s the best way to improve the look of the Pixel?
Expand Expanding Close