The Alert Slider has been an iconic part of OnePlus smartphones for a while now, but it seems it may be going away if a new rumor is to be believed.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus may replace the Alert Slider with an iPhone-like customizable button
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
TikTok returns to the Google Play Store
Following a very brief ban in the United States, TikTok is once again available for download on Android via the Google Play Store.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Samsung delays Android 15 update for Galaxy devices through April
Samsung’s Android 15 update has been a bit of a mess, with countless delays, shrunken beta programs, and still no word from the company on when the full release may come. Now, Samsung is reportedly pushing things back yet again, delaying its Android 15 update for more Galaxy phones through April 2025.
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Android 16 Beta 2 makes it easier to change temperature and measurement units
A new option in Android 16 Beta 2 allows users to easily change system measurement units, temperature units, and more “Regional preferences.”
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Google Maps blocks reviews for ‘Gulf of America’
Amid backlash for updating its maps to show “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico,” Google Maps has started to both block new reviews of the location, as well as deleting recent negative reviews.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing teases ‘elite’ performance with Snapdragon chips in Phone (3a) series
The Nothing Phone (3a) series is set to be unveiled next month and, ahead of its launch, Nothing has confirmed a switch to Snapdragon processors.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus will not release ‘Open 2’ foldable in 2025
As Oppo gears up to release the Find N5 next week, OnePlus has just confirmed that it will not release a new “Open 2” foldable in 2025.
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Samsung rolling out first Galaxy S25 update with camera motion fixes and more
Samsung’s February 2025 update has reached the Galaxy S25 series, bringing with it new camera fixes and much more.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: The Oppo Find N5 is the hardware Pixel 9 Pro Fold wants to be [Gallery]
Last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold proved to be the most impressive generational upgrade we’ve seen in foldables to date, but it certainly wasn’t the “end” of pushing the envelope. Just a few months later, Oppo is now gearing up to launch the Find N5 as the “world’s thinnest” foldable and, after getting my hands on it, I can’t help but drawn comparisons to the Pixel.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps tests new weather-related incident reports on app & Android Auto
Google Maps introduced its revamped incident reports last year and appears to be expanding support with new weather-related incidents showing up for some users in the mobile app and on Android Auto too.
Expand Expanding CloseWaze for CarPlay update makes it easier to navigate home, work, or to search
A new update to the Waze app on Apple CarPlay is making it much easier to navigate home or to work with just the press of a single button.
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YouTube TV confirms outage for select channels, fix starting to roll out
If you’re struggling to watch certain channels on YouTube TV, you’re not alone, as the service has just confirmed an outage affecting a handful of channels.
Expand Expanding CloseAre Google Maps incident reports too distracting? [Poll]
Last year, Google Maps finally added Waze-style reporting for incidents along the road, but some argue they’re more of a safety hazard than anything else. What do you think?
Expand Expanding CloseThis app will bring Galaxy SmartTag to all Android phones, assuming Samsung doesn’t shut it down
Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag has been a steady option for item tracking, often working better than Google’s Find My Device network despite being exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices and not working on other Android phones. But, now, an app exists – for now – to allow users to use a Galaxy SmartTag with other Android phones.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Razr+ (2025) leaks with the same design as last year [Gallery]
While Motorola is still building on 2024’s Razr foldables, the company is also gearing up to launch Motorola Razr+ (2025), and the first images have now arrived.
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Oppo Find X8 Mini reportedly coming in March with 6.3-inch display, three 50MP cameras
As rumors swirl around smaller phones coming from Oppo and OnePlus, new details regarding the Find X8 Mini are surfacing, including a potential release date.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Galaxy S25 Edge is remarkably light for its size, likely because of tiny battery
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge is reportedly incredibly thin, but it’s also apparently quite light in weight despite its large screen size.
Expand Expanding CloseAAWireless TWO once again available for purchase amid stock issues at Amazon
The latest wireless Android Auto adapter, AAWireless TWO, has been out of stock at Amazon for weeks at this point, but you can once again finally purchase the device through another portal.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9a leaks in official-looking renders, showing off new camera design & colors [Gallery]
Google’s Pixel 9a is reportedly coming out soon, and now we’re getting the best look yet at the updated design as well as the full set of colors.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola launching Razr+ (2024) in a vibrant pink Paris Hilton edition [Gallery]
“That’s hot.” That’s what Motorola thinks you’ll say when you see its latest Razr+ variant, as the company is teaming up with Paris Hilton to launch a vibrant new pink version of the Razr+ which will be available starting on February 13.
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Google Maps ETA removed from instrument cluster in some Android Automotive vehicles
Google Maps on Android Automotive OS has removed the estimated time of arrival (ETA) from the driver’s dashboard on some vehicle, but it doesn’t seem to be an update on Google’s part.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung ‘Magnet’ cases for Galaxy S25 are now available; everyone seems to hate them
Samsung’s latest smartphones still don’t have proper Qi2 support, but the company is selling a “Magnet” case for the Galaxy S25 series, and those cases are now finally available widely for purchase.
Expand Expanding CloseThe OnePlus Watch 3’s rotating crown actually does something this time
The OnePlus Watch 2 was excellent, but an annoying aspect of the hardware was that the rotating crown didn’t actually work with anything in Wear OS. With the OnePlus Watch 3, the rotating crown actually works.
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Google Maps renames the ‘Gulf of America’ in US, rest of the world will see two names [U]
Google has confirmed that Google Maps will soon rename the Gulf of Mexico and Denali mountain in Alaska as the “Gulf of America” and “Mount McKinley” in line with changes implemented by the Trump Administration, but users in the rest of the world may see two names for these locations.
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