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
Last year TCL launched itself into the Google TV experience with a batch of pretty solid 4K TVs. Earlier this month, the brand refreshed that lineup in Europe, and one detail that flew under the radar until now is that the entire lineup is equipped with support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Homekit.
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This week Netflix released the first trailer for Stranger Things 4, the next season of the acclaimed show, while HBO Max reportedly earned the third slot in the streaming wars. Here’s what you need to know.
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While things are looking up for Stadia in terms of developer tools and more, the reality is that games aren’t coming quickly enough. This week, Golf With Your Friends arrived on Google Stadia, but it also helped show the slow pace at which Google is adding games this year.
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As we get further from the release of the Pixel 6, we’re learning more about the Pixel 7. So far, what we’ve heard about the Pixel 7 makes it seem like it might be a relatively minor upgrade, but that’s not a bad thing. Here’s why.
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While LG is done with smartphones, the company is fulfilling its promise of still supporting existing models. Now, the LG Velvet is getting its Android 12 update.
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Mobvoi’s TicWatch smartwatches, the Wear OS models, are getting a new batch of official watch faces. Here’s how to get them on your device.
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The first Google-branded smartwatch is finally on its way, but leaks have been few and far between. Today, a very minor Pixel Watch leak has our attention, primarily because it comes with the detail of running Wear OS “3.1,” which is out-of-date.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is one of the first foldables that has the durability to make it a real option, and support for the S Pen just made the miniature tablet even better. Now, Samsung is rumored to double down on the S Pen by adding a silo to the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
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Buying a slightly older phone is a good way to save some money, but if you’re not comfortable buying from a private seller, Samsung is now selling refurbished versions of the Galaxy S21 lineup with solid discounts.
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OnePlus has some impressive marketing tactics, and this week the company is putting that muscle behind its next launch. Today, OnePlus has confirmed the “OnePlus 10R” and “OnePlus Ace” are coming, and with charging speeds up to 150W.
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Google and the Major League Baseball Association reached a deal last year to stream some MLB games via YouTube, and that contract has been renewed for the 2022 season. YouTube will stream 15 MLB games through May and June, and now in higher resolution.
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Google’s Nest Wifi and Google Wifi routers make mesh setups easy and, for the most part, pretty reliable while being relatively cheap. However, over the past few months, some Nest Wifi and Google Wifi owners are reporting that their networks have been going offline at random for months, and it seems Google has no concrete fix.
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As TikTok has dominated the internet, other platforms have been quick to cash in on the short-form video trend. Instagram did it with Reels, and YouTube has been doing it with Shorts. Now, YouTube Shorts are expanding yet again, this time on the web and tablets.
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HBO Max launched amid the pandemic with a great library and the perk of same-day theatrical releases for a while, but it was notorious for slow performance and bugs. Now, as its revamped app has been made available on Android TV, Apple TV, and elsewhere, HBO Max is owning up to that rough start.
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Wireless Android Auto has been around for a few years, but it’s been slow to adoption from carmakers. This week, Subaru announced it will adopt both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its 2023 Outback.
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The OnePlus 10 Pro was the brand’s first major release to spend months as an exclusive to the Chinese market, but as of today, it’s finally available globally. Here’s where you can buy it and what to expect.
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After years of neglect, the spiritual successor to Google Now appears to be gone for good, with Google Assistant Snapshot disappearing widely across Android devices.
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Ad-supported streaming services have a limited barrier of entry, and Amazon’s iMDb TV service has offered a solid catalog and wide availability across Google TV and various other platforms. Now, Amazon has announced that iMDb TV will become “Freevee” this month.
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Google Photos makes it easy to backup, organize, and share your memories, but did you know it has handy edit options as well? Earlier this year, Google brought more editing features to users, but quite a few are locked behind a paywall. Here’s how to edit pictures in Google Photos and what Google One subscribers get as a bonus.
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Following Apple’s purchase and subsequent murder of Dark Sky for Android, the best weather app on the platform, AccuWeather stepped up to fill the gap with hyperlocal forecasts and a pleasant overall design. Now, AccuWeather has some good news and some bad news. AccuWeather has a new option to get hyperlocal weather notifications, but it’s also locked a basic feature behind a paywall.
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On the afternoon of April 12, 2022, it appears that both YouTube and YouTube TV are seeing a partial outage that has taken down some portions of each service.
Update: YouTube has fixed this outage.
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Smartphone makers have been working on the ability to unlock your car with nothing more than a smartphone, and Samsung has helped lead the charge on the Android side of things. Now, it appears that the list of supported Digital Car Key vehicles has been expanded with new vehicles from Genesis and Kia.
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After a rocky start, Nvidia is improving its Android 11 update for Shield TV, and today another update is rolling out in the form of Shield Experience 9.0.2.
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While I think we all wish we could live in a world without smartphone cases, they’re a necessary thing for many. In my review of the Pixel 6 Pro, I said the phone was so slick it demanded a case. Recently, I picked up Bellroy’s leather case for my Pixel 6 Pro, and while I’ve been happy with it, it’s just short of being truly great.
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