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.
After testing got underway last year, Google Drive is now rolling out a redesigned document scanner on Android with powerful, on-device features.
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As previewed last week, Gemini Spark is now available in the US for Google AI Ultra subscribers.
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At I/O 2026 last week, the Gemini app switched to compute-based usage limits. In response to “feedback about hitting limits too quickly,” Google today announced some changes.
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Following last week’s Neural Expressive redesign, the Gemini app is rolling out new voices for the main chat experience and Gemini Live.
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Besides new firmware for the latest earbuds, Google is also rolling out an update to the Pixel Buds app on Android.
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Google on Wednesday afternoon announced a new software update for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a.
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The latest Google Home update lets you tap into Gemini’s camera scene understanding for automations, while there are a slew of updates across the Home app and voice assistant.
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After introducing for regular Search results, Google is bringing Preferred Sources to AI Mode and AI Overviews.
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Following our report last month, Google is beginning to roll out its gradient icon redesign for Workspace apps.
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Besides the new mobile app fully rolling out today, Google Health is joining the Google AI Pro subscription.
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Gboard introduced a Material 3 Expressive redesign of shortcuts in January that is now seeing wider availability for beta users.
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Google Search is adding two new settings related to your history and personalization. The aim is to provide users with “more control over saved history and personalized recommendations.” This is rolling out over the coming weeks, and users are beginning to receive email and in-app notifications.
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While the new Google Workspace icons appeared throughout I/O 2026, Google did not discuss them during the keynote. The company has since provided more details about the redesign.
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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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To get more out of Gemini-powered features in first-party apps, Google offers AI Plus, AI Pro, and AI Ultra subscriptions. At I/O 2026 in May, the plans got updated usage limits.
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As part of the Neural Expressive redesign, Gemini Live on Android can now access more first- and third-party “Connected Apps.”
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At I/O 2026, Google previewed two major features for the Gemini app on macOS that are coming this summer.
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At I/O 2026, Google Wallet quietly announced and completed its big Android redesign. There are also new features for Google Pay and Wallet developers that end users will soon encounter.
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As telegraphed, Google Health is now rolling out as an update to the Fitbit app. On Android, Google Health 5.0 introduces a new homescreen Quick Access Widget.
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At I/O 2026, Google rolled out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 for Pixel devices to continue the fast release schedule this cycle.
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After introducing with the Material 3 Expressive redesign last year, Google is adding more blur to the system UI with Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3.
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The two week cadence this cycle continues with Google today releasing Android 17 QPR1 Beta 3 during I/O 2026.
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Following The Android Show, Google made several developer announcements at I/O 2026, led by AI Studio’s new capability to build native Android apps.
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Besides Gmail announcements, Google at I/O 2026 announced AI voice features for Docs and Keep. The company also unveiled “Google Pics” as the newest Workspace app.
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