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
Like everything else in the tech industry, Google’s Pixel 11 series appears to be getting a price hike, but there are a few factors that make this one a bit harder to accept.
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Baseus has officially launched its new PicoGo Air magnetic power bank. It’s ridiculously thin and just so happens to fit Pixel 10 like a glove. Here’s how to save over 30% on one.
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As RAMageddon rages on, Samsung is reportedly boosting production of its existing Galaxy S26 series to meet growing demand as customers hope to buy devices before price hikes and more expensive sequels.
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In a case of hilarious timing – you know, in a dystopian kind of way – a new report details Meta’s forthcoming “super sensing” smart glasses that would have microphones and cameras that are constantly active, right as the company has fixed a glaring privacy problem with existing models.
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Samsung has dropped a new Galaxy Z Fold 8 teaser, offering a quick glimpse of the wider new form factor with the help of everyone’s favorite public menace.
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It seems that the 7-year-old but still-latest Nvidia Shield TV model has been quietly discontinued, but one still remains.
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At the end of the Argentina vs Egypt match during the World Cup yesterday, Google Search usage apparently hit a new all-time record high.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is going to be pretty disappointing; that much is clear. But, taking the sting out just a bit is a new deep purple color for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that just looks absolutely stunning.
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Mario Kart Tour was perhaps the biggest mobile game release in Nintendo’s collection but, as the company shifts away from mobile, the game is shutting down in September, and it’ll be gone permanently.
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The latest batch of Google Home app updates are now rolling out, including new “Suggested Automations” to make it easier to automate your smart home.
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Samsung’s upcoming One UI 9 update, based on Android 17, is set to also launch some powerful new homescreen customization options, and early screenshots show off what’s coming.
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The death of Manifest V2 extensions on Google Chrome has been going on for well over four years at this point, and the end finally has a date. August 31 is the official and complete end of older Chrome extensions.
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New leaks show off the Galaxy Watch 9, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2, and Galaxy Z Flip 8 in official-looking renders and, yup, they do indeed look like some Samsung sequels.
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Ahead of Google’s launch event which is now confirmed for August 12, a pair of new leaks reveal some of the company’s plans which, unfortunately, do include a pretty considerable price hike.
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Smart glasses with a camera are inherently a privacy nightmare, but Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses (and now its self-branded ones) have a privacy light to indicate when that camera is active. To thwart those who try to get around that indicator, Meta’s smart glasses will now disable the camera entirely if the privacy light is destroyed or tampered with.
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Samsung has officially announced a July 22 Unpacked event where the company will launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, Watch 9, and more, with reservations now open.
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Budget phones have been impacted the most by the rapid increases in RAM pricing, but that’s expanding to more expensive devices. A new report shows that devices sold for under $400 are being hit hard enough to where they’re gradually being left behind.
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Google is launching a new way to see traffic being sent from Search to social accounts on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more.
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As RAMageddon’s impact only gets worse, Samsung is increasing prices on a number of Galaxy smartphones, again.
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A new navigation offering is now live on Android Auto (and Apple’s CarPlay), bringing an optimized experience for those riding motorcycles.
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Honor is, like everyone else, jumping on the wide foldable idea in the not-too-distant future, but with a battery that makes the Galaxy Z Fold 8 look like a joke.
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A new leak reveals that Google is probably raising Pixel 11 series prices, finally ditching the 128GB storage option, and also aiming for a release date in August.
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The Nothing Phone (4b) is here and, with it, what feels like a better attempt at building an even-cheaper budget phone than what came before, though it is a lot more expensive this time.
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Nothing Ear (3a) has arrived with the same affordable price tag, but a new feature that even the flagship lacks in the ability to record calls and general audio with built-in local storage.
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