YouTube tests blurring video thumbnails for ‘mature content’
Google is running a new test on YouTube that will see the thumbnails for videos containing “mature content” blurred out.
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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
Samsung’s lead over Apple in the global smartphone market is down to just 1%
The latest numbers are in, and Samsung’s lead in the global smartphone market keeps shrinking, with just a few million smartphones and 1% separating Apple from the top spot.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung touts ‘strong sales’ for Galaxy S25 series, teases Edge & XR launches
In its latest quarterly revenue announcement, Samsung is teasing the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge launch while touting “strong” sales of the Galaxy S25 series.
Expand Expanding CloseADT’s Nest-integrated security system gets a fingerprint door lock and major app update
ADT is announcing two new updates to its Google Nest-integrated ADT+ security system including a new door lock that supports your fingerprint, as well as an overdue app redesign.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle teases Pixel display improvement, likely starting with Pixel 10
A shortcoming of Pixel displays thus far may be addressed going forward, as Google is teasing better PWM dimming rates in the future, likely starting with the upcoming Pixel 10.
Expand Expanding CloseThe OnePlus 13T officially isn’t coming to the United States or Europe
The more compact and rather enticing OnePlus 13T turned heads on its recent announcement, but OnePlus has just confirmed that the device won’t be launching in the United States or Europe.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung has a new Galaxy Watch update rolling out to these smartwatches
An April 2025 update is rolling out more widely to Samsung’s Wear OS-based Galaxy Watch models, with the update now available through four different generations of hardware.
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Nothing is India’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, Essential Space updates rolling out
Nothing has revealed that it is the fastest-growing smartphone brand in India, and also has some new updates available for the Nothing Phone (3a)’s signature Essential Space feature.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are Android Auto’s upcoming climate controls [Gallery]
Google is working on bringing some form of climate control to its Android Auto platform, and a new update has made it possible for these controls to surface with a preview of the functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseWild rumor claims Galaxy Z Fold 7 will be impossibly thin, Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 coming
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 might be a bit thinner than originally expected, but the rumor claiming that thinner profile is a bit hard to believe.
Expand Expanding CloseNothing Phone (3) is ‘100%’ coming to the United States, Carl Pei says
It’s been nearly two years since a Nothing Phone was released in the United States outside of confusing “beta” programs, but that’s set to change with the Nothing Phone (3), Carl Pei says.
Expand Expanding CloseLG will shut down update servers for its Android smartphones on June 30
LG announced just over four years ago that it would depart the smartphone business, and now the clock is running out on any remaining updates for the company’s Android phones.
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Google extends $100 credit with Pixel 9a while retailers offer $100 gift cards
Google is extending its launch offer for the Pixel 9a with a $100 credit included with purchase, but retailers are upping the ante with $100 gift cards instead.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet may let you add a card just by tapping it to your Android phone
Google appears to be working on a new feature that would allow users to add a credit card to Google Wallet simply by tapping the card to their phone.
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Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are $99 as Pixel Buds Pro 2 are over $100 off right now
Ongoing outlet deals at Best Buy are offering refurbished tech at stellar discounts, including Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 for over $100 off, and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for $150 off.
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Google’s Android device backups might be able to store your SIM too
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Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Watch 8 ‘Classic’ confirmed in listing, hopefully bringing back the rotating bezel
Samsung’s back-and-forth Galaxy Watch release schedule appears to be ready to bring back a Galaxy Watch 8 Classic later this year, a device that will hopefully include the company’s iconic rotating bezel.
Expand Expanding CloseFor the first time, Samsung’s One UI 7 rollout is actually ahead of schedule
Samsung’s One UI 7 rollout has been nothing short of a minor disaster, but the company is finally picking up steam and, for the first time, is actually ahead of schedule.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Watch 3 drops to $349 permanently following tariff-induced price hike
After being delayed due to a typo and returning with a massive price hike, the OnePlus Watch 3 has dropped back down to a reasonable price of $349.99.
Expand Expanding CloseIt’s time for a new Moto 360
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Android Auto’s latest update rolling out as v14.3 launches in beta
Google is in the midst of rolling out its latest Android Auto update to users while the new version 14.3 update has just arrived in beta.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says Android’s Find My Device network is 4x faster, teases UWB ‘very soon’
Google’s Find My Device network for Android started off slow, to say the least, but has been steadily improving. Now, we’ve finally got some numbers to back up those improvements, as Google has confirmed that the Find My Device network is 4x faster at finding items, and that “more” users have been changing the default privacy settings.
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This new Google TV streaming dongle looks just like a Chromecast [Gallery]
The Chromecast is effectively dead, but a new Google TV streaming stick just happens to look nearly identical to it.
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Samsung leaked Galaxy S25 Edge pricing on its own website
According to Samsung’s own website, the Galaxy S25 Edge will, as expected, fall in between the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of its price point.
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