Google TV is getting a faster setup process for new devices, and it’s much easier and faster than it used to be.
Expand Expanding CloseThe new Google TV setup process is impressively fast and easy [Gallery]
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
Apple’s latest CarPlay update revives something Android Auto did right 10 years ago [Gallery]
Alongside iOS 26 and a plethora of other updates previewed at WWDC earlier this week, Apple also showed off new improvements to CarPlay which feel familiar, mostly because they feel like bringing the original Android Auto experience into the modern era.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 looks incredibly thin in latest leak [Gallery]
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 7 is expected to be drastically thinner than previous models, and a new piece of retail marketing shows just how much of a difference that makes to the design.
Expand Expanding ClosePebble smartwatch reboot starts shipping in July, new app works with old watches
The reboot of Pebble smartwatches is nearing its release, as the “Core 2 Duo” will begin shipping next month, and there’s also some good news for original Pebble owners as well.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now get a replacement Google TV remote with a customizable button for $13
Finding a good replacement remote for Google TV devices has been a bit annoying for a while now, but Walmart is now directly selling its official Google TV remote for a mere $13 price tag, and with fast delivery.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has canceled its early Pixel 10 preview event for Superfans
Google was supposed to hold an exclusive early preview event later this month, but the company has canceled the Superfans event that was expected to offer a preview of the Pixel 10.
Expand Expanding CloseSpotify rolling out remote downloads for Wear OS and better device management
Spotify is rolling out a new feature that allows user to remotely download playlists to their smartwatch (Wear OS included) from their smartphone app, alongside better overall management of downloads.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS will start showing Android’s earthquake alerts on your smartwatch
Earthquake alerts on Android can save lives, and now they’re extending to your wrist with an update bringing the functionality to Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseRoborock’s robotic arm vacuum is impressive, but is it useful in real life?
Robot vacuums have come a long way over the years, but I don’t think anyone expected we’d have these machines running around our homes with a robotic arm any time soon. Yet, here we are. The Roborock Saros Z70 has a built-in robotic arm that extends to pick up objects it finds, but after living with it for a couple of weeks, here’s why I think this idea needs a bit more time in the oven.
Expand Expanding CloseIt’s not just you, Google and many other web services were hit with a partial outage
If you’re struggling with Google services right now, you’re not alone as it appears that a partial outage is affecting many of the company’s various apps and services.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (3) will be sold in the US, and with carrier support
After a hint earlier this year, it has now been officially confirmed that Nothing Phone (3) will be sold in the US market, and with actual carrier support behind it too.
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Motorola MA1 wireless Android Auto adapter is just $35 right now
Wireless Android Auto adapters aren’t hard to find nowadays and they’re also cheaper than ever, but you might end up paying a few more dollars for the more well-known and reliable models. Motorola MA1 is often sold for $70 or more, but is currently discounted to just $35.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch 8 renders leak showing off new base model design [Gallery]
Following several leaks of the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic and its new look, we’re finally getting a peek a that base Galaxy Watch 8 with new renders hitting the web.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10’s first-party cases reportedly have built-in Qi2 magnets, but will the phones?
Google is apparently finally ready to adopt magnetic charging in the Pixel 10, but its Qi2 support will apparently not be baked into the actual hardware.
Expand Expanding CloseSomeone is selling a bunch of those rare Essential ‘Gem’ phones for $1,200 [Gallery]
Before it kicked the bucket, Essential was teasing a radical new “Gem” smartphone that never came to market, but someone on eBay is currently selling quite a few of them.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung rolling out second One UI 8 beta as the program expands to new regions
Following its launch last month, Samsung has just rolled out the second One UI 8 beta while also expanding the program to some new regions around the globe.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing confirms it was almost called ‘Essential’ instead [Video]
Before it made a big splash, Nothing had purchased some of the remains of Essential, and it turns out that was almost exclusively about the name of the company.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms ‘mandatory’ Pixel 6a update that will reduce battery capacity
Following discovery in the latest Android 16 beta, Google has confirmed that Pixel 6a owners will receive “mandatory” software update that will reduce battery capacity.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle prepares to ‘reduce’ Pixel 6a battery due to ‘overheating issue’ amid fire reports
Pixel 6a owners may soon see their devices limited in terms of battery life, as code shows that Google is preparing to “reduce” the battery to avoid “a potential overheating” issue.
Expand Expanding CloseRedmagic ‘Astra’ is a 9-inch OLED Android tablet with a fingerprint sensor, launching July 1
Small Android tablet fans rejoice, a new 9-inch tablet with an OLED display is launching next month on the global market in the Redmagic Astra, which has just debuted in China with an impressive spec sheet.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung teases a ‘smarter’ Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera amid rumors of upgraded hardware
Samsung is in full hype mode around the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (and, to a lesser extent, Flip 7), with its latest teaser hinting at camera improvements, but only ones related to AI.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16’s new desktop mode works on tablet screens but not foldables, Google confirms
One of the big new features coming to Android 16 later this year is a new desktop mode that makes it possible for a phone to connect to a monitor and display a desktop-like environment with resizable apps and more. While tablets will be able to run this new desktop mode on their own displays, Google says that foldables running Android 16 will not get the same treatment.
Expand Expanding CloseMoto Tag starts rolling out UWB support for Find Hub – here’s what updates you’ll need
A year after its initial debut, the Moto Tag is finally the first Find Hub (formerly Find My Device) tracker for Android that supports UWB, but you’ll need a couple of updates to get things working.
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Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is rolling out, but sideloading files are strangely missing
Google kicked off the rollout of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 yesterday, but Pixel owners looking to skip the lengthy on-device OTA installation are still waiting for sideloading files to become available.
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