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.
Google Maps is perhaps one of the most influential apps ever, with the service having been available for two decades now. But what if it had launch a bit earlier? A fun new design video imagines what Google Maps would have looked like on those old, iconic Nokia phones in the early 2000s.
OnePlus has two new products launching today, with its smaller 43mm version of the OnePlus Watch 3 now available widely, and we’re also getting a new pair of earbuds in the OnePlus Buds 4.
“Pro” smartphones always seem to draw the short straw when it comes to colors, but Google is apparently making matters worse on the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro series by restricting the only actual color variant to only supporting 256GB of storage, and interestingly still also starting with 128GB of storage.
Following an exposé late last year, PayPal’s popular Honey extension has slowly been dropping users. Now, Honey is down yet another million Chrome users.
It’s been clear for a while that Google is bringing Gemini to Wear OS, with the company even confirming as much earlier this year. But we’ve still been waiting for the first release, and it seems that’s coming with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series, as leaked materials show Gemini on the watch.
There aren’t many trackers for Android’s Find Hub network, but one of our favorites is the Moto Tag, which is why it’s frustrating that it’s been so hard to purchase for a while. Now, finally, you can easily buy a single Moto Tag with quick delivery via Amazon.
Nothing’s new Phone (3) is the company’s self-described first “true flagship,” a designation that, personally, I think is a mistake. But it also brings up the question, if the Nothing Phone (3) isn’t a “true flagship,” is Google’s Pixel?
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 looks to be a bigger surprise than initially expected, with the first hands-on leak confirming reports of a bigger cover display and thinner hardware, and it looks good.
We know a lot about the Galaxy Watch 8 series already, but a new leak is now baring all, with full specs and details around all three new smartwatches, including the higher prices.
Nothing mostly gets eyes for its smartphones at this point, but it’s audio that put this brand on the map. Over time, Nothing has built up a reputation for delivering excellent value in its audio products and rock solid sound quality at the same time. The Nothing Ear series blew away my expectations last year, so I was thrilled to hear the company was working on a pair of over-ear headphones. After hours of listening, though, I have mixed feelings about Nothing Headphone (1), as they don’t quite deliver the same charm as the earbuds.
Following a hands-on image leak earlier this week, an Amazon listing has surfaced with what seems to be a quick look at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its super-thin profile.
With its update coming next week, Google has now confirmed how much it will pay out towards a new phone for Pixel 6a owners who will be affected by an upcoming battery reduction.
While it’s not fully available in the current stable Android 16 release, Live Updates are on their way, and Google has quietly released new documentation for developers looking to utilize the feature, while also offering a better example of the functionality with Google Maps.
Qi2 has turned into a lot of disappointment as the magnetic standard continues to be mostly ignored, and Samsung also seems less than enthused as its official Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 cases continue to show that the company isn’t fully investing in the idea yet.
It’s no secret that Samsung is working on a “tri-fold” device, but its appearance has been a mystery for quite some time. Now, though, we’re getting a first look courtesy of an animation found in One UI 8.
Honor has just launched its Magic V5 foldable in China, reclaiming its title as the world’s thinnest foldable, but only if you ignore its massive camera bump.
Following reports of battery issues on Pixel 6a, Google has detailed a mandatory Android 16 update for these devices that, for some, will have a major impact on battery life. Here’s what the company is detailing for now.
Xiaomi has a new Google TV-powered streaming stick headed to market and while the company has yet to actually announce the product, you can already buy it, and one of our readers has shared images of the device in the flesh too.
The Google Home app is adding a new form of access to your home, with a “Member” role now broadly available with more customization and access limits, as well as support for a child’s account.
The Nothing Phone (3) is, undoubtedly, the best phone the company has put out to date, but despite the messaging that this is a “true flagship,” it’s not. That said, I think I like this new chapter for the Nothing Phone.