Amazon has been on a crusade to stop rampant piracy on Fire TV, with the company now blocking even the installation of certain sideloaded apps.
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon Fire TV is now blocking the installation of some sideloaded apps
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
Fitbit extends Google Account deadline to May 2026, with data deleted shortly after
Under Google, Fitbit has been moving away from its traditional standalone accounts, instead pushing users to sign in with their Google account. That will be mandatory this year, but the deadline has been pushed back.
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The vast majority of Android Auto users still don’t seem to have Gemini
Google announced the rollout of Gemini for Android Auto in November 2025 and, a couple of months later, it still doesn’t seem to be available for the majority of drivers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Nest Hub ‘apps’ have mostly disappeared over the years
Back in 2021, Nest Hub picked up an update that made it easy to access select functions via touch with a selection of “apps,” but they’ve vanished over the past year or so.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live for Android Auto keeps talking to itself in hilarious but annoying bug [Video]
Google’s Gemini Live is perhaps at its most useful in the car, which is why a recent Android Auto bug is both super annoying, and a bit hilarious to watch happening.
Expand Expanding CloseNvidia won’t give up on Shield TV updates ‘any time soon,’ new hardware could happen
Over a decade in, Nvidia says it isn’t giving up on the Shield TV any time soon, with updates still coming, and new hardware not necessarily off of the table.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S26 series specs, official-looking images leak ahead of February 25 launch [Gallery]
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is looking all but confirmed for a February 25 launch event, while new leaks reveal official-looking images and alleged specs for the trio.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 is on 7.5% of devices in latest distribution numbers update
Google has updated Android’s distribution numbers again, this time revealing that Android 16 is already on 7.5% of devices, with the numbers having shuffled considerably since the previous update.
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Samsung brings unlimited Care+ repairs to Galaxy devices in Europe
Samsung has upgraded its Care+ insurance program in Europe, with Galaxy devices now eligible for “unlimited accidental damage” repairs.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV tests new ‘Free’ and ‘Shop’ tabs to showcase additional content [Gallery]
Google TV is testing out new “Free” and “Shop” tabs for the homescreen, with both tabs showcasing additional content in a slightly new way.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle gives Pixel Tablet another two years of Android OS updates
Google’s mostly-forgotten Pixel Tablet is getting a new lease on life, as the company is giving its one and only tablet another two years of Android OS updates to match the policy on its phones.
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Google settles Android data usage, Assistant privacy lawsuits despite denying wrongdoing
Over the past week, Google has settled two class action lawsuits over Android privacy, one regarding data usage and the other around Assistant, despite the company denying any wrongdoing.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Buds 2a just leaked in that awesome ‘Berry’ color [Gallery]
Ahead of Google’s apparently-imminent Pixel 10a launch, the Pixel Buds 2a have surfaced in some new colors including the “Berry” expected to launch on the phone as well.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z TriFold seemingly won’t allow trade-ins, as it briefly went up for sale early
Samsung announced earlier this week that the Galaxy Z TriFold would be available for purchase in the United States on January 30, but we noticed today that Samsung’s website briefly let you buy the device a little early and, while it’s now sold out, it revealed a few details including a lack of trade-in options.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing teases major Phone (4a) upgrade: better display, faster storage, new colors
In the same video where Nothing confirmed that there’s no “flagship” coming in 2026, we’re also getting a teaser for Nothing Phone (4a) which hints at a major revamp to the budget series, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing will not make a ‘flagship’ Phone (3) sequel in 2026
Nothing has confirmed it will continue on its sporadic flagship release schedule with no sequel to last year’s polarizing Phone (3) coming in 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S26 series leaks in cases; I still can’t tell if the phone has magnets or not [Gallery]
The Galaxy S26 series may or may not have magnets, but it’s getting harder to tell, and new case leaks aren’t really helping lift the curtain on this mystery.
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Snapchat is building an entire company around smart glasses efforts
While they’re often not the one you think of first, Snapchat has pushing for smart glasses for quite some time now, and the company has just announced that its new “Specs Inc” subsidiary is pushing for smart glasses even harder.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (4a) Pro surfaces with bigger battery as launch nears
We’re probably less than two months away from the launch of Nothing Phone (4a) series, with the Pro model having now surfaced through regulatory bodies.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Oppo Reno 15 series just launched in Europe, and I wish it was coming to the US
Oppo has just launched its new Reno 15 series in Europe and, after spending some time with them in person, these are exactly the phone I wish we’d get in the US.
Expand Expanding CloseEveryone wants to copy the iPhone Fold; Honor developing its own ‘wide’ foldable too
The Android world is bracing for the debut of the first foldable from Apple, expected to be the “iPhone Fold.” With Apple using a different form factor, though, it seems everyone wants to chase that, now including Honor.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Buds 4 series will stick with the same price tag, leak reveals
According to a new report, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds 4 series will carry the same price tag despite major design changes.
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Google Pixel 10 is just $299 in crazy US Mobile deal
As a part of its “Mid-Winter Blowout” sale, US Mobile is selling the Google Pixel 10 for just $299 if you buy a year of service, and just $399 even if you don’t!
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Google Pixel’s Tensor chip said to help weather a rocky smartphone market in 2026
A new report forecasts the smartphone chipset market through 2026, and claims that Google’s efforts in building Tensor for Pixel phones will help the brand weather the coming tough year.
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