Microsoft quietly ending ‘Copilot+ PC’ branding for Windows laptops
After a couple of years of relentlessly pushing it, Microsoft is seemingly ending its Copilot+ PC branding for Windows laptops.
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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
Motorola Signature 27 confirmed to support GrapheneOS
It’s confirmed: The mysterious Motorola phone getting support for the privacy-focused GrapheneOS will be the Motorola Signature 27 that was announced earlier this week.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages adding official chat thread that showcases features [Gallery]
If you open Google Messages, you might see a prompt on the main screen to join the “official chat” that delivers a WhatsApp-like thread for official updates on new features.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung starts rolling out Android 17, One UI 9 to Galaxy S26 in the US following delay
After a slight delay, Samsung is rolling out its Android 17-based One UI 9 update to Galaxy S26 owners in the US, though not to everyone just yet.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid’s Digital Wellbeing appears to be ditching ‘Heads up’ walking alerts
Google appears to be pulling the plug on a Digital Wellbeing feature called “Heads up” which is designed to help you stay off of your phone for extended periods of time while walking.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says Gemini 4 release is coming ‘as soon as possible’
As its rivals continue to iterate quickly, Google has confirmed that its Gemini 4 flagship AI model is nearing release and that it is coming “as soon as possible.”
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Razr Fold, flip phones arrive at Verizon with free Wear OS watch
As we spotted earlier this month, Verizon is welcoming a handful of new Motorola phones to its network with the Razr Fold and two Razr flip phones both now available.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta is launching ‘VR Glasses’ next year for $1,300
Alongside its new audio-only and Ray-Ban smart glasses, Meta today also unveiled new “VR Glasses” which take the experience of a Quest into a far slimmer form factor with an external processing puck.
Expand Expanding CloseMeta launches audio-only glasses and Gen 3 Ray-Ban with slimmer designs
Meta today introduced its new Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) smart glasses with a slimmer design and longer battery life alongside a new audio-only lineup, and a new $250 entry-level release.
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Microsoft launches 12-inch Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 Plus & 5G, 13-inch Surface Laptop too
Microsoft is rolling out refreshes to its smaller Surface Laptop and Surface Pro machines powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus starting at a price of $1,149.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps update shows traffic lights and stop signs at your next turn on Android Auto, more
Google Maps is rolling out a new update on Android Auto that makes it easier to know what to expect at your next turn, with a visual indicator to show upcoming traffic lights or stop signs.
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Google TV now has over 300 free channels – here’s the full list
Google TV has always been a destination for finding content, and now there’s a ton more with the addition of free channels available directly on the homescreen. Here’s everything that’s available.
Expand Expanding CloseDisney+ starts rolling out another price hike, no ad plans starting at $21.49/month
Yet another price hike is imminent for Disney+ and Hulu, with the new plans going up by around $2 per month.
Expand Expanding CloseXiaomi 18 Pro series goes official with ‘privacy screen,’ 8,500 mAh battery, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Xiaomi has just launched its new Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max in China with flagship specs, massive batteries, and a pair of 200MP cameras too.
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Motorola Signature 27 officially gets a North American launch in the ‘coming months’
Following a tease at Snapdragon Summit, Motorola has confirmed that its Signature 27 flagship is officially coming to North American markets, but with a bit of a wait.
Expand Expanding CloseClaude Opus 5.5 and OpenAI GPT-6 Sol & Luna both launch today with lower costs
Anthropic and OpenAI are both launching new model updates today, with Claude Opus 5.5 and GPT-6 Sol & Luna both being announced within roughly an hour of each other.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Signature 27 is a proper flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Alongside Qualcomm’s latest announcements, Motorola has officially shown off the Motorola Signature 27, a true flagship offering that’s set to launch before the end of this year.
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As Android XR nears, smart glasses are only getting more popular despite Meta backlash
There’s been a near-constant stream of backlash against Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses in recent months, but that hasn’t stopped people from buying them, as a new report reveals that shipments have grown by over 250%.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto rolls out game support, no longer in beta
Google is graduating game support on Android Auto from a limited beta to broad availability, allowing developers to bring games to your car’s display.
Expand Expanding CloseOppo Find X10 series goes official with triple 200MP cameras, 8,000 mAh battery
Oppo has just held its launch of the Find X10 series in its home region of China, with a global launch to come for the new devices.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung has delayed its Android 17 update
Samsung appears to be delaying the rollout of its Android 17 update, at least slightly, with pushback in some regions.
Expand Expanding CloseAdobe Premiere for Android launches for free with layered video editing, YouTube templates
Months after it arrived on iPhone, Adobe Premiere’s mobile version is now available on Android devices with layered video editing, templates, foldable optimization, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseApple didn’t give up on stylus support for iPhone Duo; Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold should take notes
Apple’s iPhone Duo may not have reinvented the Android foldable, but it certainly did put a polish on a number of things. Inlcuded in that list is stylus support on the iPhone Duo, something that was more complicated behind-the-scenes than it initially sounded like, and an effort that Samsung should probably take note of.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat do you actually use a laptop for, and would Googlebook be able to do it? [Poll]
Following a mediocre teaser back in May, Googlebook is officially here and, well, I’m still pretty skeptical. I’m not sure I see Google’s vision of this new lineup or laptops because, frankly, I’m not solving any of the problems Chromebooks already faced.
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