Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Abner Li has worked at 9to5Google since 2015 and in late 2020 took on the role of editor-in-chief. He is keenly focused on tracking what happens at Google, and is often the first to spot new features in Google’s ever-growing family of applications that are updated on a daily basis, including Search, Assistant, Maps, Workspace, Android, Chrome/OS, Wear OS, and YouTube Music.
To him, what Google does greatly impacts the technology space and modern life. Inside the company, he is particularly interested in the key products mentioned above, as well as services like Google Podcasts and Google Lens. Each are massive platforms that can be unwieldy to grasp, with Abner keenly bent on understanding their philosophy and future direction. He is most excited about Google’s plans for augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the APK Insight program at 9to5Google to chronicle all changes in the company’s Android apps, often finding new features before they are officially announced. This includes redesigns and revamps, launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability, including how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner detailed the Pixel Watch’s specs in full before launch, including bands and pricing. He also got wind of the Pixel Tablet’s ultimate form factor.
With last month’s web redesign, the Gemini app gained a “My Stuff” folder, and Google is now updating it with a dedicated “Documents” list of your Deep Research and Canvas generations.
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Google Wallet is getting a transaction history update that improves the core payments experience.
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The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
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In just under two months, Gemini app users around the world have generated 1 billion images using Nano Banana Pro.
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The year in updates is getting underway with the January 2026 security patch for Android 16 QPR2 on the Pixel 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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The YouTube TV Live Guide redesign is now widely rolling out to the Android and iOS apps.
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The year in Google updates is well underway today with beta version 17.0 of the Google app on Android increasing the size of the app icon.
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Google is embracing “agentic shopping” wherein users can easily make purchases through the Gemini app and AI Mode.
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Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
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Of all the first-party apps, Google Maps probably offered the worst settings experience, but a redesign is finally cleaning things up.
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After the 2022 removal and restoration for some users last year, Pixel Launcher search is once again letting you open apps using the keyboard.
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With the launch of “in-line AI experiences” in Gmail yesterday, Google has shared that the Gemini side panel is going away for AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in the US.
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With the previous round of offers ending last week, the US Google Store is running New Year’s deals ahead of 2026.
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Following phones and watches, the Google Fi store is getting its first tablet with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G.
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Google One is running a “limited time” discount for 2026 where new subscribers can get 50% off 2 TB and AI Pro annual plans.
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YouTube is rolling out updates to its video search filters that include renames, removals, and other adjustments. These changes aim to “align better with your expectations.”
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Besides previewing the future of Gmail today, Google is making a number of AI features that previously required a subscription free for personal accounts.
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Google today previewed the future of Gmail, with new features like AI Overviews for search that are rolling out starting today and the upcoming ”AI Inbox.” This comes as Gmail has over 3 billion monthly active users.
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Gboard for Android is slowly getting M3 Expressive, but the shortcuts page redesign comes at the expense of density.
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Following the camera and gallery redesign, Google Messages is testing a new long-press menu for text and image actions.
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Last year, Google Drive’s Material 3 Expressive redesign rolled out in a piecemeal fashion and saw one aspect revert. The full revamp with the container component is now available.
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Just like other modern devices, the Pixelsnap Charger will see firmware updates, with the latest version of Pixel Stand revealing some details.
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At this point, Google Voice is primarily an enterprise service, with the vast majority of new features for paid customers. Google Voice is now working on a “Gemini Notes” capability.
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A Google Play system update is rolling out to Pixel owners, and we’ve noticed across several devices that the install process is a bit buggy.
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