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.
Based on the latest Android Canary and Android 17 Beta releases, Google is working on a Pixel “laptop” of some sort that will feature a “Pixel Glow” hardware feature.
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Google today rolled out Android 17 Beta 4 for Pixel devices to continue the preview cycle. This is the last scheduled release, but there could be patches in the coming weeks.
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Google is rolling out Android 17 Beta 4 for Pixel devices three weeks after the last release. This is the “last scheduled beta of this release cycle.”
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Given how personal and expressive glasses can be, it’s important that they are available in a wide variety of styles. Google’s upcoming Android XR glasses will eventually have designs from Gucci.
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Like the Gemini app before, Google is now deeply integrating AI Mode with desktop and mobile Chrome.
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With the international expansion underway, Gemini is now bringing together Personal Intelligence, Google Photos, and Nano Banana 2.
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After boosting AI Pro storage earlier this month, Google One is now running a limited-time YouTube Premium discount.
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Gemini now has a native Mac app in the first expansion beyond Android and iOS.
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The split-view Now Playing redesign that YouTube Music has been working on since last year is now widely rolling out.
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Gemini in Chrome on desktops is getting a new Skills feature that lets you quickly run frequently used prompts. Besides saving time, this capability helps educate users about what Gemini can do when given a webpage.
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After the US launch, Google is bringing Personal Intelligence to Gemini users around the world (excluding Europe).
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After testing got underway in September, the “Google app for desktop” is now launching for “Windows users globally in English.”
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With I/O 2026 a month away, Google has posted the initial sessions list. The developer conference runs from May 19-20.
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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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After the last round that started with the Pixel 10 launch ended in February, the Pixel Referral Program is back.
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Websites that engage in “back button hijacking” might soon appear less prominently in Google Search results as part of a new spam policy.
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The dream of Google Now and Assistant Snapshot (pictured above) might be returning as Google works on Gemini “Your Day.”
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At I/O 2025, Google One AI Premium (and Gemini Advanced) became “Google AI Pro,” while a higher, more expensive tier was introduced with “Google AI Ultra.”
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Following the announcement last month, Google Messages has widely rolled out its new Trash folder to save you from accidental deletions.
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Like the Gemini app, Google AI Mode is also seeing a redesign of its prompt box, while the tool can now book restaurants for users internationally.
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After adding water and food logging, as well as making available to free users, the Fitbit Public Preview is now coming to more countries.
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Google is bringing back Pixel Now Playing’s ability to manually start a song search from the lockscreen.
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Google is working on two location-based features for the Pixel At a Glance widget with “Passes nearby” and “Restaurant insights.”
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The Pixel’s Take a Message feature that answers calls on your behalf and lets you view live transcripts is now adding custom greetings.
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