The Honor Magic 6 Pro quickly, and surprisingly, became one of my favorite Android phones when I reviewed it earlier this year, and now the Magic 6 RSR is giving that device a fresh coat of paint.
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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.
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
Pixel 8a has a matte finish and is made with ‘recycled materials,’ leaked product page says
The Pixel 8a is likely only a couple of weeks away from its debut and the leaks keep on coming. In another new leak, a Pixel 8a product page reiterates and confirms details about the upcoming device, including that it has a matte finish on the back.
Expand Expanding CloseMediaTek will finally power a ‘premium’ Android phone in the US this year
MediaTek is usually known for powering cheap devices, but the company has been building up some really good high-end chipsets too and, finally, it sounds like one of those chips will power a “premium” Android phone in the US market.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung isn’t bringing AI features to Galaxy S21 and Flip 3, only Circle to Search
Samsung is bringing One UI 6.1 to its Galaxy S21 series and foldables from 2021, but the company is solely bringing Google’s Circle to Search to these older devices, whereas others are getting nearly the entire Galaxy AI suite.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung brings One UI 6.1 and AI features to Galaxy S22 and more foldables
After announcing it last month, Samsung has started rolling out its One UI 6.1 update and AI features to the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 4, as well as some surprising additional devices too.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search testing useful ‘custom filters’ that you can save to your account
Google Search is starting to roll out what might be a handy new feature, “custom filters.”
Expand Expanding CloseNow the Nothing Phone (2a) has ChatGPT widgets too
A new update is rolling out to Nothing Phone (2a) that brings ChatGPT widgets and more with it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos will soon more easily let you block someone’s face from Memories
One of the best features of Google Photos is the app’s ability to show old photos as a “Memory,” but sometimes showing a specific person isn’t what you want. Now, Google Photos is preparing to make it easier to hide someone’s face from Memories.
Expand Expanding CloseT-Mobile now owns Mint Mobile with ‘commitmint’ to $15/mo price, adds free roaming
Last year it was announced that T-Mobile would acquire Mint Mobile and, now, that deal has officially closed. Here’s what that means for you.
Expand Expanding CloseFossil is getting rid of the rest of its Wear OS watches for $79
Fossil confirmed early this year that it was done with smartwatches and and, following some steep discounts back then, the company is trying to get rid of the rest of its Wear OS smartwatches for a mere $79 a pop.
Expand Expanding CloseMobvoi teases a new TicWatch Pro as Samsung starts testing Wear OS 5
The TicWatch series has been a Wear OS staple for years, and Mobvoi is now teasing a new model that will release in a matter of “days.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has made it really hard to find its 3D animals in Search [U]
For the past several years Google has been building out a ton of 3D models of animals and other objects that you can view in augmented reality but, recently, Google has all but removed the vast majority of these fun models from Search.
Expand Expanding CloseWalmart’s ‘Pro’ Google TV box will cost $50 with 32GB storage, always-on Assistant
After its existence leaked earlier this month, one customer has managed to get their hands on the upcoming Walmart Onn “Pro” Google TV box, revealing its price, specs, and support for being a Google Assistant speaker.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Rabbit R1 is based on Android after all [U]
AI hardware has the potential to be super interesting, but it’s off to a pretty rough start. The new Rabbit R1 looked fun ahead of its launch, but most early users have asked why it’s not just an Android or iOS app. As it turns out, there’s a smartphone app that does all of the same things.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid may soon let smartwatches control your phone’s audio output
Google appears to be preparing a new feature for Android that would allow your smartwatch to control the audio output setting on your smartphone.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle 3D animals and objects: Which ones are still available and how to use them
At its I/O conference in 2019, Google announced that it would be adding augmented reality objects to Search. Over the years since, Google has added a bunch of 3D animals and objects you can view in Google Search using AR — here’s the full list that we’re constantly updating.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 8 Pro mod gives the camera bar the brushed finish Google should have used [Gallery]
Google’s Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro are well-designed smartphones, but the polished metal finish around the camera module is often easy to scratch and not the best look. Now, though, one Pixel 8 Pro owner took it upon themselves to manually give the metal a brushed look, and it’s really quite nice.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS is growing quickly, will ship roughly half as many units as Apple Watch this year
Google’s Wear OS spent years on the back burner, barely holding on with the help of a couple of brands. But the platform has seen renewed focus over the past couple of years and, now, that’s paying off, as Wear OS is set to make up just shy of 30% of the smartwatch market this year.
Expand Expanding CloseHuawei’s next smartwatch is a blatant Apple Watch ripoff at a fraction of the price [U]
Huawei this week revealed its super interesting new flagship smartphone, but around the corner still is the new “Watch Fit 3,” which does nothing to hide the fact that it’s a clear clone of the Apple Watch.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Phone starts rolling out ‘Audio Emoji’ and they’re really weird [Video]
The Google Phone app is picking up a new trick, with the app now rolling out “Audio Emoji” to some users.
Expand Expanding CloseLatest Pixel 8a leak reveals bigger battery and $499 starting price
Another fresh leak of the Pixel 8a has revealed more images of the device, as well as the pricing in the US which, contrary to past rumors, may not be getting a price hike after all.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adds ‘Speaking practice’ tool for English learners, powered by AI
Google is testing out a new AI-powered “speaking practice” tool in Search that helps users to improve their skills in speaking the English language.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 gets boosted trade-ins and 50% off its keyboard case
Samsung is offering a great deal on its Galaxy Tab S9 series right now, with solid trade-in offers and an automatic 50% off its keyboard case.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can get an official Pixel Watch band for $10 right now
If you’re looking for a spare band for your Google Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2, a deal over at Best Buy can get you the official Active Band for a mere $10.
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