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 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.
The Pixel Watch 4 seems like your run-of-the-mill smartwatch update, but it’s also introducing the third new charging system in Google’s mere four generations of smartwatch. The new Pixel Watch 4 charger looks just fine, but I’m pretty worried about the charging pins that we’ve yet to see.
Nothing has just announced its first Android 16 beta, with Phone (3) users able to test out Nothing OS 4.0 ahead of its release starting in the next couple of weeks.
Samsung’s One UI 8 update is likely launching to the masses in the next few weeks, with the latest Galaxy S25 beta release now rolling out with fixes in tow.
If you’re having trouble controlling lights via Google Home and voice commands, you’re not alone, as Google has acknowledged some issues regarding this functionality and is working to roll out a fix.
Walmart’s Onn 4K Plus was already the most affordable and best value in Google TV hardware, and now the retailer is throwing in a few months of Apple TV+ for free with the device.
Through evidence spotted in the latest Android Canary release, it looks like Google is preparing a new Pixel feature that would let users theme their homescreen icons using AI as well as their own custom styles.
According to a new report, Google Pixel has settled into a #4 slot in the US smartphone market ahead of the Pixel 10 launch, though growth has cooled off a bit.
Pixel 6a owners are feeling the effects of the recent battery reduction update from Google, and while the phone is technically still usable on that update, users should still take action soon to fix their device, whether that means getting the battery replaced or getting a new phone altogether.
Google has confirmed that its Android Earthquake Alerts system experienced issues in the wake of the 2023 earthquake that rocked Turkey and nearby regions.
It’s no secret at this point that the Pixel 10 series is not going to be a massive upgrade, but with that in mind, leaks point towards it being perhaps the best kind of subtle upgrade. Here’s why.
Samsung is apparently removing the option to unlock your bootloader from Galaxy devices with its One UI 8 update, at least in places where that was still available.
Samsung has delivered a revamped DeX experience in One UI 8 based on Android 16’s new desktop mode and, while most functionality is there, you might find some little tidbits that are different.
In a new interview, Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi has commented on how Samsung will stay ahead when Apple releases its first foldable, as well as discussing…
The idea of a foldable phone, still, several years in, feels like a novel one. As new releases have hit the market, they’ve continually improved and addressed some of the biggest complaints. That’s all led to today, where the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not only a massive improvement over what came before, but also just flat out the best foldable phone that most people can buy today, begging the question of whether or not the Fold 7 is enough to make you want to buy a foldable.
The “Pebble” name is officially back, as the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches that were going to act as a reboot for the experience are now officially called the Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2*.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is remarkably thin and, as it turns out, Samsung may have undersold it as the device is actually 8.82mm thick in a recent measurement of foldables, where Honor’s “world’s slimmest” device was thicker than expected.
Following new details about its charger leaking earlier today, official-looking renders of the Pixel Watch 4 have now landed, showing off the new colors and slim display bezels on Google’s new smartwatches.
Samsung hasn’t upgraded the battery size or charging speed of its Galaxy S Ultra flagship since 2020’s Galaxy S20 Ultra, but it seems the Galaxy S26 Ultra is finally about to change that with a 5,500 mAh battery and 65W charging speeds, though leakers disagree on the matter.
Google Assistant has, especially in the context of the smart home, been crumbling over the past couple of years. In a post this evening, Google’s lead for Home and Nest has acknowledged Assistant issues while also teasing “major improvements” coming later this year.
While many devices strive to be thinner and lighter than their predecessors, Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series is thicker and heavier across the board, adding more credence to the idea that these devices will have Qi2 magnets inside in line with recent teases.
Google Search has been going all-in on AI over the past few years, but it seems like that’s not really benefitting anyone but the user as a new study shows that searches with AI Overviews are more likely to see fewer clicked links out of Google, and also fewer further searches within Google.
Hidden behind the scenes in the Play Store, Google is preparing for the Pixel 10 launch with a family photo of the whole series that has just leaked out.
Author
Ben Schoon
nexusbenBen 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
Connect with Ben Schoon
This Pixel Watch 4 leak shows the new charger’s potential eyesore
The Pixel Watch 4 seems like your run-of-the-mill smartwatch update, but it’s also introducing the third new charging system in Google’s mere four generations of smartwatch. The new Pixel Watch 4 charger looks just fine, but I’m pretty worried about the charging pins that we’ve yet to see.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing’s first Android 16 beta arrives in August for Phone (3)
Nothing has just announced its first Android 16 beta, with Phone (3) users able to test out Nothing OS 4.0 ahead of its release starting in the next couple of weeks.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung rolling out One UI 8 Beta 4 to Galaxy S25 ahead of stable release
Samsung’s One UI 8 update is likely launching to the masses in the next few weeks, with the latest Galaxy S25 beta release now rolling out with fixes in tow.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos perspective correction editing tool has gone missing for some users
The Google Photos editing suite is often evolving, but for many users, the perspective correction tool has recently vanished.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Home rolling out fix for issues with light controls via voice commands
If you’re having trouble controlling lights via Google Home and voice commands, you’re not alone, as Google has acknowledged some issues regarding this functionality and is working to roll out a fix.
Expand Expanding CloseThe best deal in Google TV hardware now throws in Apple TV+ for free
Walmart’s Onn 4K Plus was already the most affordable and best value in Google TV hardware, and now the retailer is throwing in a few months of Apple TV+ for free with the device.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel devices appear to be preparing icon theming using AI and custom styles
Through evidence spotted in the latest Android Canary release, it looks like Google is preparing a new Pixel feature that would let users theme their homescreen icons using AI as well as their own custom styles.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel grows in US, settling into top 4 spot ahead of Pixel 10 launch
According to a new report, Google Pixel has settled into a #4 slot in the US smartphone market ahead of the Pixel 10 launch, though growth has cooled off a bit.
Expand Expanding CloseYou should really get your Pixel 6a battery replaced, or get a new phone
Pixel 6a owners are feeling the effects of the recent battery reduction update from Google, and while the phone is technically still usable on that update, users should still take action soon to fix their device, whether that means getting the battery replaced or getting a new phone altogether.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle confirms Android Earthquake Alerts partially failed during deadly 2023 quake in Turkey
Google has confirmed that its Android Earthquake Alerts system experienced issues in the wake of the 2023 earthquake that rocked Turkey and nearby regions.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Pixel 10 series is shaping up to be the best kind of subtle upgrade
It’s no secret at this point that the Pixel 10 series is not going to be a massive upgrade, but with that in mind, leaks point towards it being perhaps the best kind of subtle upgrade. Here’s why.
Expand Expanding CloseOne UI 8 seemingly removes bootloader unlock from Samsung Galaxy devices
Samsung is apparently removing the option to unlock your bootloader from Galaxy devices with its One UI 8 update, at least in places where that was still available.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung DeX gets a redesign based on Android 16’s desktop mode [Gallery]
Samsung has delivered a revamped DeX experience in One UI 8 based on Android 16’s new desktop mode and, while most functionality is there, you might find some little tidbits that are different.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung on Apple’s upcoming foldable and AI assistants beyond Gemini with Galaxy S26 [Video]
In a new interview, Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi has commented on how Samsung will stay ahead when Apple releases its first foldable, as well as discussing…
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 7 Review: So, are you ready to buy a foldable phone yet?
The idea of a foldable phone, still, several years in, feels like a novel one. As new releases have hit the market, they’ve continually improved and addressed some of the biggest complaints. That’s all led to today, where the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is not only a massive improvement over what came before, but also just flat out the best foldable phone that most people can buy today, begging the question of whether or not the Fold 7 is enough to make you want to buy a foldable.
Expand Expanding ClosePebble watches are truly getting a reboot as ‘Core’ name is replaced with a literal asterisk
The “Pebble” name is officially back, as the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches that were going to act as a reboot for the experience are now officially called the Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2*.
Expand Expanding CloseRCS will get better voice messages in latest Universal Profile 3.1 update
The latest update to the Universal Profile (v3.1) behind RCS brings support for improved audio quality in voice messages and other media.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 7 is the world’s thinnest foldable at 8.82mm, study finds Honor Magic V5 is 9.34mm
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is remarkably thin and, as it turns out, Samsung may have undersold it as the device is actually 8.82mm thick in a recent measurement of foldables, where Honor’s “world’s slimmest” device was thicker than expected.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch 4 surfaces in official-looking renders with new colors and bands
Following new details about its charger leaking earlier today, official-looking renders of the Pixel Watch 4 have now landed, showing off the new colors and slim display bezels on Google’s new smartwatches.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy S26 Ultra may get 5,500 mAh battery and 65W charging, but leakers disagree
Samsung hasn’t upgraded the battery size or charging speed of its Galaxy S Ultra flagship since 2020’s Galaxy S20 Ultra, but it seems the Galaxy S26 Ultra is finally about to change that with a 5,500 mAh battery and 65W charging speeds, though leakers disagree on the matter.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle acknowledges Assistant issues with Home, teases ‘major improvements’ coming
Google Assistant has, especially in the context of the smart home, been crumbling over the past couple of years. In a post this evening, Google’s lead for Home and Nest has acknowledged Assistant issues while also teasing “major improvements” coming later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pixel 10 series is thicker and heavier as Qi2 magnets seem more and more likely
While many devices strive to be thinner and lighter than their predecessors, Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series is thicker and heavier across the board, adding more credence to the idea that these devices will have Qi2 magnets inside in line with recent teases.
Expand Expanding CloseAI Overviews lead to fewer clicked links, study finds as web traffic falls – Google disagrees
Google Search has been going all-in on AI over the past few years, but it seems like that’s not really benefitting anyone but the user as a new study shows that searches with AI Overviews are more likely to see fewer clicked links out of Google, and also fewer further searches within Google.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 10 series poses for a family photo in latest leak, $50 promo coming too
Hidden behind the scenes in the Play Store, Google is preparing for the Pixel 10 launch with a family photo of the whole series that has just leaked out.
Expand Expanding Close