Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at NewGeekGuide, 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 NewGeekGuide 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
Over the years, the Google Home ecosystem – Nest included – has changed a lot, largely to fit Google’s priorities of the time. But, more often than not, any one step forward has resulted in taking two steps back which, as a user, means there’s always some annoyance at play. As Google prepares to present Home and Nest news next week, what’s the one thing you would change about Google Home if you could?
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Google has been teasing the debut of Gemini for Google Home for an October 1 unveiling, and now a refreshed Google Home logo has also surfaced.
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Xiaomi’s Android 16 update is official, with HyperOS 3 set to roll out starting in October, and there’s both a full list of devices and a schedule already available.
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Xiaomi’s latest launches deliver some compelling Android hardware, but also continue to show just how often Xiaomi tends to clone Apple’s designs.
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One of the latest Google Pixel accessories is a “wristlet” wrist strap that attaches to your case. It’s a fun little accessory and one that works well, though it is just a bit on the bulky side.
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Following their announcement earlier this month, Nothing Ear (3) are now available for purchase.
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According to a new report, YouTube TV is on a “collision course” with NBC that could lead to a channel blackout, and they’re not the only ones.
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With the rise of compact Android tablets over the past couple of years, TCL is now finally entering the ring with its NXTPAPER display tech, with the new TCL Tab 8 NXTPAPER 5G available today for $199.
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It’s finally time. After years of rumors, reports, and plenty of evidence, Amazon is reportedly gearing up to announce “Vega OS” as its replacement for Android on Fire TV next week.
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Xiaomi has just announced its latest trio of flagship phones in China, with the Xiaomi 17 series delivering a new design, rear displays, and battery sizes up to a whopping 7,500 mAh.
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Operating as a sub-brand of Nothing for the past couple of years, it’s been announced today that what was formerly “CMF by Nothing” is becoming an indepedent subsidiary and India’s first global smartphone company.
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Android 16’s big Material 3 Expressive update brings resizable Quick Settings to Google Pixel users, and now it’s been revealed that Samsung will do the same thing with its next major Galaxy update.
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An ongoing Android Auto bug has surfaced again, with the issue causing icons and entire apps to be oversized with a zoomed-in look.
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Nothing gets a lot of attention around its smartphones nowadays, but audio products are what made a name for the company. Over the past week, I’ve had the chance to check out the Nothing Ear (3), the fourth-generation earbuds from Nothing, and I’ve got mixed feelings.
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Google has made its new homescreen redesign for Google TV official over the past few days, while also ramping up the rollout to more users.
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Following its debut in August, Google is widely pushing YouTube’s AI age verification this week as many users are reporting their accounts have been restricted.
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In a case of really bad timing, Disney+ is getting a price hike, affecting both Disney+ and all of its bundle offerings.
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Samsung is working on One UI 8.5, its next major Android update for Galaxy devices, and the leaks are pouring in with new AI capabilities and some Liquid Glass vibes throughout.
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OnePlus is making some changes to accounts for its US users as HeyTap, which previously handled account services, is shutting down services in the US this month.
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Nothing is working on its Android 16 update but, ahead of that, a new Nothing Phone (3) update is rolling out with improvements to the camera and the phone’s signature “Glyph Matrix.”
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The OnePlus 15 is right around the corner and the teasers have started, as the device has just shown up at an e-sports event to show off its major redesign.
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As promised, Gemini is officially launching on Google TV today, but most users will still have to wait a little bit longer.
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Google TV is adding support for TVs with presence sensing hardware, but the first TV set with support is not cheap, as the TCL QM9K is now available starting at $3,000.
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Google is preparing a redesign of the Home app that focuses in on Gemini and AI features, and I’m a little nervous about it, but still optimistic.
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