Scott Younker
Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the latest tech news, including phones, computing and more. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 covering everything from cameras and swimming pool equipment to the latest gaming consoles and smart TVs. He is on a seemingly never ending hunt to build the easiest to use home media system.
Before Tom’s Guide, Scott worked for publications like Digital Trends, Outdoor Photographer, Dead Beats Panel, and in a brief detour, America’s Funniest Home Videos. Yes, he has seen more pratfalls, silly pets and ridiculous home movie fails than is reasonably healthy.
When not writing about the latest devices or advances in chipsets, be sure to ask about Scott about disc golf and sustainability, or just if you’re being cheeky, ask about his noodle arm. If you truly want to get nerdy, bring up board games and his ongoing losing streak.
Scott joined Tom's Guide in 2024 as the West Coast Reporter. He graduated from the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon with a degree in magazine journalism and a minor in communications. While there he blogged or wrote for several magazines including the Fluxx, Ethos and the Oregon Commentator. He briefly wrote and managed a moderately successful blog focused on web comics.
Latest articles by Scott Younker
![Xbox Game Pass logo above an Xbox controller](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wJMF9HvGJKStLp8F3pdAuV-320-80.jpg)
Xbox Game Pass is down — live updates on outage
By Scott Younker last updated
Xbox appears to be having issues with Game Pass access being down.
![NYTimes Connections](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cF6f5PcRoahYxLFA4Pi6TW-320-80.jpg)
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Saturday, July 27 (#412)
By Scott Younker published
Need help with Connections #412? Here are some hints and the answers.
![Bing with ChatGPT](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6kKiUUMRJmKJCam2Vp5FG7-320-80.jpg)
Microsoft Bing adds better version of Google's AI Overview — how it works
By Scott Younker published
Microsoft is introducing an AI generative search tool to Bing which looks much better than Google's AI Overviews. Check it out.
![Phone scam showing an unknown caller on a phone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/muFWf5MSX7498TMTJZvtv7-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel phones may soon shield spam calls with AI — thanks to Gemini Nano
By Scott Younker published
A code breakdown reveals that Google's Gemini Nano-powered scam detection system is getting close to ready. When will it debut?
![SearchGPT and OpenAI logo on a horizontal phone chipboard-esque logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b3FxEJVCZYBiCPDJMSjDxK-320-80.jpg)
How to join the SearchGPT waitlist — here’s how to get early access
By Scott Younker last updated
Here's how to join the waitlist to potentially use OpenAI's new SearchGPT search engine.
![NYTimes Connections](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X3afzFmMHQMfU73sPpeY7W-320-80.jpg)
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Friday, July 26 (#411)
By Scott Younker published
Need help with Connections #410? Here are some hints and the answers.
![The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra on an orange rubber strap worn on the wrist of a user](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xuu3RjPP846oJwdfZfJuo8-320-80.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra buyer finds major hardware flaw — should you be worried?
By Scott Younker last updated
A Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra buyer received the new watch with a major misaligned bezel. Should you be worried?
![iPhone 15 Pro shown in hand](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Yo5TfuqVZgjr6TPKvB4GYA-320-80.jpg)
The iPhone 18 may be the first to have 2TB of storage — thanks to this breakthrough
By Scott Younker published
New technology is supposedly paving the way for Apple to introduce 2TB iPhones
![Sam Altman CEO of OpenAI](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4yyMKHJ9m77obrax9Rdfkh-320-80.jpg)
OpenAI launches SearchGPT in direct threat to Google — what you need to know
By Scott Younker published
OpenAI has announced SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine that could rival Google and Perplexity
![An iPhone used in an airport](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9z4fKd9wcq5CZVTowEe5uD-320-80.jpg)
Public Wi-Fi is a security nightmare — Apple working to make it safer
By Scott Younker last updated
A newly granted patent to Apple suggests the company is looking into ways to make public wi-fi safer to access.
![Spotify logo on phones with over-ear headphones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KXixVTFw9EhHUWxZuyBDUk-320-80.jpg)
Spotify Deluxe — everything we know so far
By Scott Younker last updated
A more expensive Deluxe tier is coming to Spotify and should bring improved audio quality.
![NYT Connections](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZkWzxALkutg5oaN7JQaWdX-320-80.png)
Today's NYT Connections hints and answers — Thursday, July 25, #410
By Scott Younker published
Need help with Connections #410? Here are some hints and the answers
![The Pixel Buds Pro and their box](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqqVpC7sKvbPyAGY6MjbnC-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 just fully leaked ahead of launch — here’s what’s new
By Scott Younker published
A surprise leak of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds appeared on Amazon showing off a redesigned pair of headphones.
![Udio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vyVk3jhobKQ7YhLeusqCSg-320-80.jpg)
AI music generator Udio just got a massive upgrade — here's what's new
By Scott Younker published
Version 1.5 of the AI music generator Udio just released, bringing several new features and massive audio improvements.
![Netflix logo on a mobile phone screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zSGEDorjPsUmfiPuDVhcTM-320-80.jpg)
There's a hidden benefit to your Netflix subscription — 80 new games coming
By Scott Younker last updated
Netflix is planning on bringing a ton of new gaming tiles to the streamer's gaming hub, mostly based on Netflix shows.
![NYT Connections](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZkWzxALkutg5oaN7JQaWdX-320-80.png)
Today's NYT Connections hints and answers — Wednesday, July 24, #409
By Scott Younker published
Need help with Connections #408? Here are some hints and the answers
![The WhatsApp logo on a screen in front of a laptop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6m5mnADtAD9DsQ2aZudCQn-320-80.jpg)
WhatsApp looking to add AirDrop-esque feature to iPhones — what we know
By Scott Younker published
WhatsApp is developing an AirDrop-like feature for Android and now it sounds like it's coming to iPhones as well.
![apple logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/whpxAAQt3vPUfUivV8ueYS-320-80.jpg)
Apple's foldable iPhone just tipped to launch in 2026 — but there's two big obstacles
By Scott Younker last updated
A new report says that the long-rumored iPhone Flip has moved out of the conceptual stage, as Apple looks to develope a foldable iPhone that can come out a few years from now.
![Spotify logo on a smartphone with headphones next to it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qjHowL9peSwLqT9jztYwvP-320-80.jpg)
Spotify confirms more expensive Deluxe tier coming — here's what you'll pay
By Scott Younker published
During an earnings call, Spotify confirmed that a spendier Deluxe tier is coming to the service. Perhaps we'll finally get hi-fi audio.
![NYT Connections](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZkWzxALkutg5oaN7JQaWdX-320-80.png)
Today's NYT Connections hints and answers — Tuesday, July 23, #408
By Scott Younker published
Need help with Connections #408? Here are some hints and the answers
![T-Mobile and Verizon logo on iPhone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5sk8iPxPVAzNKYhTFBBvMb-320-80.jpg)
Verizon tops T-Mobile in new study on 5G reliability — what it means for you
By Scott Younker published
New studies on mobile networks finds that Verizon is tops across the board, while T-Mobile has more coverage and speed. And AT&T?
![Promo image for the Google Pixel 9 Pro showing off the new camera array](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D6HCeTyk7oSbJFLV8T5S98-320-80.jpg)
Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL just leaked in new images — let’s take a gander
By Scott Younker published
After Google officially unveiled images of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, new leaked images of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL leaked out.
![render of iPhone SE 4](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b6pmBdLmVwgWdjd7TWmCWR-320-80.jpg)
iPhone SE 4 key features just tipped in new leak — you might wanna skip iPhone 16
By Scott Younker last updated
New iPhone SE 4 rumors hint at massive upgrades for the budget-friendly iPhone including an OLED display, 48MP camera and an A18 chipset.