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Ben Schoon

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Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.

In 2013, Ben helped start anindependent tech publication where he learned the skills used at9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wifeMelissa. Ben is anavid 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 itspowerful Operator Tier, explainingfuture changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such asChromecast with Google TV,Nvidia Shield TV, and more.

In 2019, Ben leaked one of thefirst in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing theRecorder andPixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Googleworking on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was alsothe first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.

Ben Schoon is active onTwitter, @nexusben, but can also be found onInstagram andLinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also availableonline.

Email:schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email:benschoon@protonmail.com

Connect with Ben Schoon

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Galaxy Z TriFold pricing is mostly a mystery, but how much would you pay? [Poll]

Samsung’s futuristic Galaxy Z TriFold looks pretty incredible, but the big question is still around pricing. There are some rumors going around, but the big question is what wouldyou pay for it?

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OnePlus 15 just got the approval it needed to start US sales

The OnePlus 15’s global launch earlier this month came with the asterisk that it wouldn’t go on sale in the US right away, but the needed FCC approval appears to have just come through.

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Black Friday is the best time to save on streaming: Up to 70% off Disney+/Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube TV discount

Black Friday 2025 is in full swing, with many discounts opening up this week. It’s also the best time of the year to get on a streaming service, as major streamers such as Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV are all heavily discounted for Black Friday.

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YouTube testing new ‘Home’ page with more control over suggested content

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 26 2025 - 1:15 pm PT

Google is testing a new feature with YouTube that allows users to customize the recommendations that appear in their “Home” feed, seemingly with some level of AI.

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Google’s replacement for Nest x Yale Lock is deeply discounted alongside new Nest Cams

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 26 2025 - 1:05 pm PT

If you’ve been waiting for a good time to swap out your Nest x Yale Lock, Google’s replacement Yale Matter lock is now at the lowest price we’ve ever seen, and Google’s latest Nest Cams are also on sale too.

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Don’t buy a Qi2 25W wireless charger hoping for faster speeds – just get the ‘slower’ one instead

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 26 2025 - 12:40 pm PT

On the backs of the Pixel 10 Pro XL and latest iPhones, Qi2 25W has been heralded as the “next big thing” in wireless charging. Yet, it really doesn’t feel worth the effort of seeking it out for two key reasons.

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YouTube TV bringing back Univision channels after two-month blackout

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 26 2025 - 7:40 am PT
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After going dark in late September, Spanish-language channels from TelevisaUnivision are returning to YouTube TV under a new deal.

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YouTube TV reportedly lost out on pricing in Disney deal, including an extra ESPN fee

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 26 2025 - 4:15 am PT

The dust has mostly settled on theYouTube TV deal with Disney, with channels having returned to subscribers and other impacts, such as Movies Anywhere, are also returning to normal. But details continue to come out, and it seems like YouTube TV ended up conceding on some big parts of the Disney deal, namely the price.

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Review: Nothing’s CMF Headphone Pro makes you rethink bass for just $80

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 25 2025 - 2:15 pm PT

Nothing’s CMF sub-brand often takes the core pieces of a Nothing product and makes that more affordable and, well, colorful too. The new CMF Headphone Pro is no different, but what really stands out to me is that it doesn’t just have the good ideas from Nothing, but a few more of its own.

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The Wyze Window Cam is a clever $35 ‘outdoor’ camera you can set up inside [Gallery]

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 25 2025 - 11:45 am PT

Outdoor cameras are perhaps the most useful ones, but they can also be a lot of work to set up. That’s why the new Wyze Window Cam looks pretty intriguing.

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Google’s official Pixel cases and watch bands are on deep discount for Black Friday

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 25 2025 - 8:55 am PT

You can already get Pixel phones at a huge discount for Black Friday 2025, but Google is also offering some deep discounts on its official Pixel cases, watch bands, and some other accessories through Amazon.

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Spotify planning US price hike in early 2026, report claims

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 25 2025 - 7:20 am PT
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Spotify is apparently planning a price hike for its US subscribers in early 2026 following in the footsteps of international price adjustments.

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Samsung’s Black Friday sale includes $720 off Galaxy phones, $120 off Galaxy Ring

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 25 2025 - 4:30 am PT

Samsung continues to run some crazy Black Friday deals, including big discounts on select flagship Galaxy phones, and a rare discount on the Galaxy Ring tracker.

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Google listing says Android PC OS, ‘Aluminium,’ will have ‘AI at the core’

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 3:41 pm PT

As Google prepares to introduce its new Android experience for PCs next year, a new job listing is revealing some details around Google’s efforts and how that ties back to ChromeOS.

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You can finally use Waze on your phone while connected to Android Auto

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 10:15 am PT

Waze is picking up a trick from Google Maps in allowing Android Auto users to select locations for navigation on their phone’s screen, or access other parts of the app, instead of solely relying on the car display or voice.

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Samsung reportedly upgrading Bixby with the help of Perplexity instead of Gemini

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 8:45 am PT

While Samsung has leveraged Google’s Gemini in major ways on Galaxy devices, the company is apparently looking to Perplexity to upgrade its often-forgotten Bixby assistant.

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Meta tests trade-in program for Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 8:05 am PT

After launching its next-gen series, Meta is now testing out the option to trade in a previous model for a new pair of Ray-Ban or Oakley smart glasses.

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Google hints at Assistant shutdown in ‘March 2026,’ but seemingly only on Android Auto

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 6:55 am PT

On a support page, Google is hinting that the end of Google Assistant is nearing, with the Gemini takeover apparently completing in March 2026 when Assistant will no longer be accessible… at least on Android Auto.

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Verizon is giving away Pixel 10 Pro XL and Watch 4 for free on Black Friday

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 24 2025 - 6:00 am PT

If you’re looking to get a new Google Pixel on Black Friday, Verizon has a really solid deal that gives you a Pixel 10 Pro XL and a Pixel Watch 4 for free, with no trade-in even required.

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Google keeps poking holes in Apple’s walled garden, but who’s switching?

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 23 2025 - 9:00 am PT

Apple has had iPhone owners trapped within its walled garden for years, with many genuinely not knowing what lies beyond that ecosystem. But Google has been working over the past few years to poke some holes in that wall, and its latest move in bringing AirDrop compatibility to Android Quick Share is just another reminder of how things are getting better. But… is anyone actually switching?

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Nothing begins Android 16 rollout with Live Updates in Glyph, redesign, new features

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 21 2025 - 6:10 am PT

Nothing is starting its rollout of Android 16 this week, and in the new Nothing OS 4.0 there are a bunch of updates including the ability to show Live Updates in Glyph, redesigns throughout, and more.

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AAWireless TWO+ brings its wireless Android Auto and CarPlay dual adapter to Amazon

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 21 2025 - 4:30 am PT

After launching in October, AAWireless TWO+ is now available for purchase via Amazon.

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Android Find Hub trackers from Pebblebee, Moto Tag, more are pretty heavily discounted for Black Friday

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 21 2025 - 4:00 am PT

Pebblebee just launched its latest tracks for Android’s Find Hub network earlier this month, but they’re already discounted for Black Friday, as is Motorola’s Moto Tag and several other trackers.

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How to get Quick Share’s new iPhone AirDrop support on your Pixel 10 now [Gallery]

Avatar for Ben SchoonNov 20 2025 - 11:35 am PT

Googleannounced earlier this afternoon that Quick Share on Pixel 10 now works with AirDrop on iPhone, and it’s actively rolling out now. Here’s how it works, and also how to get the functionality live on your device now.

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