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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.
What’s new in Android’s January 2026 Google System Updates [U]
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.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is Android 17’s blur, new screen recorder, & more in leaked screenshots [Gallery]
The Android 17 leaks continue today with a preview of the upcoming blur effect for System UI, as well as functional changes and updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGmail for iPhone getting ‘new Google Photos picker’
Google today also announced a “new Google Photos picker in Gmail” for iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos upgrading ‘Photo to video’ with custom prompts, audio
After last year’s introduction, “Photo to video” generation in Google Photos is getting two notable upgrades today.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle redesigning web app launcher with Material 3 Expressive
The web app launcher available in the vast majority of Google apps online is getting a redesign with Material 3 Expressive. It follows the last Material You update in 2023.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music now syncs your queue across Android, iOS, & web
The YouTube Music queue will now sync between your signed-in devices to let you seamlessly continue listening.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle adding blur to Android 17’s system UI on Pixel
Google is following last year’s Material 3 Expressive redesign on phones by introducing significantly more blur across Android 17.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat Gemini app upgrades you get with Google AI Pro
While the free tier of the Gemini app allows you to be quite productive, subscribing to Google AI Pro unlocks a lot more.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can now use Google Sans in Google Docs
Google open-sourced Google Sans and Google Sans Flex in December, and the fonts are now available for you to add in Google Docs.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep for Wear OS can no longer set reminders after Tasks migration
On Android, iOS, and the web, Google Keep’s Tasks migration is fairly straightforward save for the loss of location reminders. However, Google Keep for Wear OS loses the ability to create reminders entirely.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle shutting down Gmailify after nearly 10 years
Google announced Gmailify in February 2016 and is now ending support for its system to upgrade third-party email accounts.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard adding ‘auto-switch after apostrophes’ as M3 Expressive Settings redesign rolls out
As we wait for the broader redesign, Gboard for Android is getting a nice quality-of-life improvement with the “auto-switch after apostrophes” shortcut.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Clock 8.5 rolls out ‘swipe to dismiss’ for alarms on Android [U]
Version 8.5 of Google Clock for Android was released last week and it’s rolling out the ability to dismiss alarms by swiping.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos rolling out AI-powered ‘Me Meme’ generator
Google Photos continues to build out the Create tab with a new “Me Meme” feature in the Android and iOS apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store not showing Android, Pixel system app updates [U]
In what could be a bug or behavior change, the Google Play Store is not showing available updates for system-level apps if you have automatic updates disabled.
Expand Expanding CloseAI Mode rolling out Personal Intelligence to make Google Search ‘uniquely yours’
Following the Gemini launch last week, Personal Intelligence is coming to AI Mode in Google Search.
Expand Expanding CloseRare bug with Pixel Phone app ‘Take a Message’ could leak your audio to callers
Last year, the Pixel Phone app introduced “Take a Message” to automatically “handle your missed or declined calls.” A very small number of users have encountered an issue where “Take a Message” is sending their audio to the caller.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 9a gets extended sale that ends before rumored 10a launch
Ahead of the Pixel 10a, the Google Store is running a rather extended sale on the Pixel 9a that ends on February 15.
Expand Expanding Close‘Ask Gemini’ in Google Meet coming to more Workspace users, mobile app
After launching for enterprise customers last year, Google Meet is bringing Ask Gemini to more Workspace users.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube on what updates to expect in 2026: Music, ‘fully customizable’ TV multiview, more
Every year, YouTube outlines its priorities, and the 2026 edition previews what product updates to expect.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search tests basic ‘Color your Search’ theming
Google is testing very basic theming and customization for the Search results page with a “Color your Search” feature.
Expand Expanding CloseThe mundane absurdity of telling Gemini about your life
I wasn’t an early adopter of chatbots. The messaging metaphor didn’t appeal to me as someone who saw chatting as something you only do with other people.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app ‘plus’ menu switches to list with NotebookLM addition
After coming to the web in December, NotebookLM integration is now available in the Gemini app on Android with a redesigned plus list.
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