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
Nothing is rolling out call recording for Nothing Phone devices, but only a few select models in certain countries. Here’s what you need to know.
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It’s not hard to find a good high-end TV anymore, but to pair a good display, good software, and a good price? That’s a harder combo, but it’s exactly what I’ve been testing out in the Hisense U8QG series lately.
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Samsung has started to roll out the final major update for the Galaxy S22 series, with its Android 16-based One UI 8 now rolling out in some regions.
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Google’s latest Nest Cam model has switched over to USB-C, a minor change but one that’s appreciated for continuity’s sake.
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Following new announcements this week, the future of Google Home is brighter than ever, and that’s exciting.
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Alongside Google’s Gemini for Home push this week, the company also unveiled its Google Home Speaker, but it’s not coming until next year. That “delay” has drawn some criticism, but it’s actually a good thing.
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Google has updated its store and stopped selling refurbished Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices, but without a newer replacement stepping in.
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According to a new report, Samsung’s Android XR headset “Project Moohan” will see a release date of October 22, and it may be revealed a week prior to that.
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ADT has confirmed that its subscribers will have to wait a bit longer to access Google Home’s new Gemini features, but nothing is breaking for the time being.
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After heated negotiations, YouTube TV and NBC Universal have officially signed a long-term deal to continue offering NBC channels on the live service, while also expanding Peacock’s reach to YouTube Primetime Channels.
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After AI notification summaries were a bit of a disaster for Apple, Samsung is appartently preparing support in its next big Galaxy update.
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Disney has officially confirmed that Hulu will go global as a part of the redesigned Disney+ app that’s coming to Google TV and other platforms early next year.
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Samsung’s next big Galaxy update, One UI 8.5, continues to leak with a number of visual changes, with one of the latest finds being a “3D” effect for icons.
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Google’s latest lineup of Nest Cam devices has arrived, but there are no new battery models in the 2K refresh. Why? Google has an understandable answer.
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Amazon is giving gaming a “rethink” and introducing a new “GameNight” feature that heavily pushes local party games on Amazon Luna, all while still delivering on the cloud gaming promise it’s made for the past five years and making that even easier to access via Prime.
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Verizon has announced that Hum, a cellular-connected car accessory that included Google Assistant support, is shutting down later this year.
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Philips is finally bringing its neat “Ambilight” TVs to the US market, with Roku TVs available starting today with their built-in lightstrip effect.
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With its major Gemini revamp to Google Home and Nest Cam, Google is opening the door to third-party cameras accessing the same level of integration and features, and it starts with incredibly affordable cameras from Walmart.
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Google Home’s Gemini revamp is here and, for Nest Cam owners, it means getting better notifications, the ability to search through footage, and more. Here’s what to expect.
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Google is delivering its first big Nest hardware refresh in over four years, with new 2K video upgrades for the Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam Indoor, as well as a new wired Outdoor Cam.
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In the eleventh hour, YouTube TV has confirmed a short-term extension with NBC that will keep the networks up and running for customers while a final deal is established.
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YouTube TV is contacting customers this evening to confirm that Univision and UniMas channels are being removed from the catalog immediately, and it comes right as a deal with NBC is in limbo.
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Ahead of tomorrow’s Google Home and Nest revamp, Amazon today laid out a collection of new Ring and Blink hardware, Echo speakers, and introduced a clever new AI feature that helps locate lost dogs.
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After years of rumors and reports, Amazon has officially announced Vega OS, its replacement for Android on Fire TV hardware, and it’s going to make some big changes.
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