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
The Pebble is the smartwatch that started it all and, in many ways, nothing has truly replaced it nearly a decade later. Now, a new generation of the Pebble smartwatch is coming, and this is what you should expect to see from it.
Expand Expanding Close
A new update is now rolling out to Amazon Fire TV devices which removes a useful homescreen feature that would allow users to hide apps.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the big new features in Samsung’s Android 15 update, One UI 7, is the “Now Bar,” and the latest Google Maps update is adding support for it as we wait for a wider rollout.
Expand Expanding Close
After selling out in 48 hours following its initial launch, the Lenovo Legion Tab was restocked earlier this week, but has already sold out yet again.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out a new update to the Pixel Weather app which makes it considerably easier to change the units of measurement throughout the app. Here’s what’s new.
Expand Expanding Close
Nothing has confirmed that its March 4 event will be for the Nothing Phone (3a), with more than one phone potentially coming, and leaks showing off a camera module that looks pretty similar to Pixel.
Expand Expanding Close
The iconic Pebble is making a comeback, as Google has opened the source code for the smartwatch and, in turn, given existing models a new lease on life, and opened the door to new hardware. But that’s going to take some time. For now, you can still use the old Pebble smartwatch from your junk drawer on Android phones. Here’s how.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has announced a new policy for its Chrome browser which will disable Sync if you haven’t updated within the past few years.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is making an official “Magnetic Wallet” for its Galaxy S25 series, despite the phones not actually having built-in magnets.
Expand Expanding Close
Google added themed icons to Android quite a few years ago at this point, but many apps have still not yet adopted them. One long holdout, Microsoft Teams, has finally changed that though, as the latest Android update adds themed icons support.
Expand Expanding Close
Nothing is prepping for a launch event in March and it’s expected that it’ll see the launch of either Nothing Phone (3), Phone (3a), or perhaps even both. As the rumor mill continues to swirl, a new teaser hints at the first telephoto camera on a Nothing Phone, while the Nothing Phone (3a)’s specs may have leaked including a bigger display.
Expand Expanding Close
An update to the YouTube app on Amazon Fire TV has been released to fix issues with sign-in that many users were running into.
Expand Expanding Close
Last year, Eufy announced plans to launch its SmartTrack item trackers for Android’s Find My Device network, but the company quietly seems to have scrapped those plans.
Expand Expanding Close
While hardly anyone used the features, Samsung’s decision to remove remote features from the S Pen on the Galaxy S25 Ultra has been met with vocal criticism. Now, as previously confirmed, Samsung has removed a misleading reference to Bluetooth S Pen for the Galaxy S25 Ultra which isn’t actually coming.
Expand Expanding Close
Thanks to changes to the Qi2 specification, smartphone cases can now be “certified” as Qi-compatible “devices.”
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 7 sounds like it won’t make major changes, at least to the camera, according to the latest leaks.
Expand Expanding Close
Remember Pebble? The smartwatch that started it all has been discontinued for the better part of a decade, but Google has just opened up the source code for Pebble OS to help keep those devices alive, and build new ones too.
Expand Expanding Close
An update to Android Auto is now rolling out that centers the map in Google Maps.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra brings quite a few upgrades, but also removes the Bluetooth-enabled remote features of the S Pen. And, no, you can’t bring them back by just using an older S Pen.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a new report, Google’s Pixel 9a will see a price hike after all, but only if you opt for more storage.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is toying with a new setting that would allow users to swap Android’s double-tap power button shortcut that currently opens the camera to instead open Google Wallet and other wallet apps, and it could debut in Android 16.
Expand Expanding Close
As it seeks further growth, Nothing is teasing its first product launch of 2025 which is probably the Nothing Phone (3) or Phone (3a), now expected to see a launch date in March.
Expand Expanding Close
Despite offering some magnetic accessories, Samsung hasn’t spent any time talking about the Galaxy S25 series being ready for Qi2. Yet, the Galaxy S25 series is the first set of smartphones with Qi 2.1 support, but without any upgrades to charging speed.
Expand Expanding Close
This week, Samsung launched its new Galaxy S25 series and, in so many ways, it’s just a slightly newer version of the same thing. From the perspective of someone who’s job is to talk about these devices, it’s getting really boring, yet these devices still continue to sell. So, are you actually happy with these devices?
Expand Expanding Close