A new overview of the global TV market reveals that TCL is nearing the crown for the world’s biggest TV brand, as it is about to surpass Samsung.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV’s future sounds a bit bleak even as TCL nears the crown
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
Your next phone might have more RAM as AI-fueled shortage persists through 2027
The ongoing memory (RAM) shortage has wide-reaching effects, but that’s not stopping new smartphones from apparently adding more RAM than prior generations, a new report states.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet developing redesign that shows more cards and passes [Gallery]
Google Wallet is apparently preparing a new app redesign on Android that will show more of your cards at once, as well as letting you pin cards.
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon updates device unlock policy to ditch 60-day automatic unlock
Following FCC changes, Verizon has announced an updated device unlocking policy, with the carrier no longer automatically unlocking devices, and implementing a 365-day unlock policy on prepaid devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z TriFold lands in the US for $2,899, available January 30
Samsung’s impressive new Galaxy Z TriFold has a US release date, with the foldable hitting select store shelves and online retail on January 30 for a price tag of $2,899.
Expand Expanding CloseLatest Google Pixel update causing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues for some
A number of Google Pixel owners have reported over the past few days that, following the latest update, their devices are running into issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Expand Expanding Close
Belkin reminds users that its Wemo smart home products are shutting down this week
Belkin’s now-ancient Wemo smart home products are set to shut down later this week, years after their launch, in one of the most notable closures of smart home tech.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Android Auto features are coming next?
Google is constantly releasing new Android Auto updates, but new features often feel few and far between. What’s on the roadmap? In this post, we’ll break down new features coming to Android Auto.
Expand Expanding Close
Google TV update rolling out with homescreen tweak, new settings
Google TV updates aren’t all that frequent or major anymore, but there are new tweaks here and there, including a homescreen fixes and a couple of settings changes rolling out now.
Expand Expanding CloseApple’s new AirTag 2 just makes me want a Google ‘Pixel Tag’ for Android even more
For the first time since the original’s release in 2021, Apple finally has new AirTag hardware, with the “new AirTag,” aka AirTag 2, delivering some hardware improvements that make me a little jealous as an Android user.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Weather was one of my least accurate weather apps ahead of major winter storm
A major ice and snow storm is hitting huge parts of the United States this week, and in preparing for the storm, I was watching the forecasts closely across a slew of different weather apps for Android. And, sadly, Pixel Weather was perhaps one of the least accurate I was using.
Expand Expanding CloseWhy does the Pixel 10a look fake?
The Google Pixel 10a is expected to launch pretty soon and, as that approaches, there’s something super weird about the leaked images we’ve seen.
Expand Expanding CloseDo you have Gemini for Android Auto yet? [Poll]
Google’s Gemini upgrade for Android Auto is a long-awaited and sorely needed one, but it’s taking a while. Do you have it yet?
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Chrome ending support for macOS ‘Monterey’ in July 2026
Google has confirmed that, starting with a release scheduled for July 2026, Chrome will end support for macOS 12 – “Monterey.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Discover makes messy AI headlines a ‘feature’ because they ‘perform well’
Following prior testing, Google Discover is keeping AI headlines around as they “perform well” with users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle and Epic Games struck a secretive $800 million deal, ‘helping Google market Android’
As revealed in the ongoing court saga, Google and Epic Games have apparently struck a new deal that involves Android, Unreal Engine, and some sort of “product development,” and it’s going to remain a secret for the time being.
Expand Expanding Close
1Password will now warn you of potential phishing scams before they steal your password
1Password is launching new phishing protection tools in its browser extension to help users avoid scams that, as the company puts it, are being “supercharged” by AI.
Expand Expanding Close
TCL is preparing Android 14 updates for its Google TV lineup – what’s new
TCL’s Google TV lineup is about to get a fresh Android 14 update, with a couple of new features in tow.
Expand Expanding CloseWaze says it is rolling out ‘new’ features including speed bump, speed limit warnings
In a teaser sent out to its users, Waze has confirmed a handful of new features that are rolling out soon including speed bump warnings and more.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can try the Galaxy Z TriFold in these US stores starting January 23
Ahead of its full debut, Samsung is letting potential buyers try out the Galaxy Z TriFold in select US stores starting on January 23 – here’s the full list.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home will finally fix that annoying offline lights bug
If you’ve opened the Google Home app in the past few weeks, you’ve probably been greeted with an “offline” status for your lights. Google is finally acknowledging the problem, with a fix coming eventually.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify brings AI-powered ‘Prompted Playlists’ to US and Canada – how to use it [Gallery]
Following a limited rollout last year, Spotify is bringing its AI-powered “Prompted Playlists” to listeners in the US and Canada.
Expand Expanding Close
Threads will start showing ads to all users next week
Meta has announced that, starting “next week,” its Twitter/X competitor Threads will begin showing ads to all users.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung leaks Galaxy S26 Ultra ‘Privacy Display’ while showing off new Good Lock features
Samsung recently took to its website to share a huge set of new updates to its Good Lock suite of features coming in One UI 8.5, but inadvertently, confirmed one of the biggest Galaxy S26 Ultra features in the process.
Expand Expanding Close