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
As some users have been running into issues, Ford is saying that its “Phone as a Key” feature is running into some compatibility issues on Android devices.
Expand Expanding Close
Google appears to be adding Material You accent colors to Android Auto, with some colorful accents showing up in the latest updates.
Expand Expanding Close
A new means of using ChatGPT has just opened up, with the ability to talk to the AI chatbot via WhatsApp using “1-800-ChatGPT.”
Expand Expanding Close
A new option coming to Pixel phones in Android 16 is the ability to use the fingerprint sensor when the screen is turned off.
Expand Expanding Close
Months later than expected, Samsung has officially unveiled its Android 15 update, One UI 7, and the company has pinpointed everything that’s new in a meticulously detailed changelog.
Expand Expanding Close
A new software update is now rolling out to Rivian electric vehicles with support for Google Cast and a new YouTube app.
Expand Expanding Close
Well ahead of its usual schedule, Google has just released the first preview of Android 16. This initial developer preview isn’t meant for the general user, but it’s freely available to anyone who wishes to try it. Here’s what Google Pixel devices can install the Android 16 Developer Preview and how to install it.
Expand Expanding Close
After launching in beta on select devices over the past few months, Nothing is now rolling out a stable Android 15 update to the Nothing Phone (2) and Phone (2a) ahead of other devices.
Expand Expanding Close
OnePlus is set to launch a new budget-focused device in the upcoming OnePlus 13R and while specs and other details are not yet clear, it’s been confirmed the device will have a 6,000 mAh battery.
Expand Expanding Close
Some Android Auto users have been running into wireless connection issues causing stuttering audio over the past few months, but Google says this should be fixed with the latest updates.
Expand Expanding Close
According to a new report, Samsung is planning to switch up how the Galaxy Z Fold 7 works with an S Pen in an effort to make the device thinner.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is set to unveil its next flagship devices in about a month, and ahead of that, the leaks are starting to pour in. In the latest leaks, we get a peek at the new curved covers and display bezels of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while also getting an alleged look at the Galaxy S25+’s hardware.
Expand Expanding Close
Roku is adding a new feature that allows users to put a camera feed into a picture-in-picture window on the TV, among other new additions.
Expand Expanding Close
Meta has announced a new software update for its Ray-Ban smart glasses which will add “Live AI,” a feature that can use a video feed to gather context for questions, similarly to Google’s Project Astra.
Expand Expanding Close
The Qi2 standard has seen hardly any adoption across Android, but has been rumored to be coming in the Galaxy S25 series. As it turns out, that’s probably not happening, but Samsung may be bringing better wireless charging.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s ChromeOS has long required a “powerwash” to reset a machine, but the platform is now adding a “Safety reset” that won’t delete your data, but will give you a fresh slate.
Expand Expanding Close
After a heavy delay ahead of its One UI 7 beta program, Samsung has just released a second update, bringing with it a handful of bug fixes and tweaks.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube TV has seen a number of price hikes over the years as the service has grown, and as it now serves millions of viewers, it was inevitable that another rise would be coming. That’s finally arrived this week, and it begs the question of whether or not YouTube TV will ever offer cheaper streaming packages.
Expand Expanding Close
One of the sore points of early Tensor efforts for Google Pixel came from the Samsung modem used in the first few generations. It’s gotten much better over time, but both heat and signal underperform compare to other options. According to a new report, Google is switching things up for the Pixel 10 with a new modem from MediaTek.
Expand Expanding Close
Days after misleadingly calling a price hike an error, YouTube TV informed customers that it would be raising prices to $82.99/month. As many try to cancel, though, YouTube TV is handing out a 6-month price lock of the current rate for some subscribers.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is rumored to be finally adopting the Qi2 standard in its upcoming Galaxy S25 series, but a new leak revealing a “magnet case” from Samsung is causing some to believe it might not happen. Let’s talk about it.
Expand Expanding Close
Google TV isn’t exactly light on homescreen ads to the point where Google has been surveying users regarding the number of ads shown, but now a new ad format is bringing even more.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out a new update for the Quick Share app on Windows which improves how you can change visibility settings among other changes and fixes.
Expand Expanding Close
While Hyundai and Kia plan to adopt Android Automotive in the near future, the Hyundai Motor Group has just inked a deal to bring Google Maps to its infotainment system ahead of that launch.
Expand Expanding Close