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.
Welcome to the nineteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the latest Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3 leaks.
From what has leaked, Google is positioning Pixel Screenshots alongside Gemini and Circle to Search as the Pixel 9’s biggest assistive features.
Expand Expanding Close
So far, Google’s official teasers about the upcoming launches have ignored the Pixel 9, but a promo video leak shares how it will be advertised.
Expand Expanding Close
Given the new shape, Google’s case designs for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have to change more significantly this year, with a leak today revealing the look and available colors.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s work on optimizing Gmail for Android tablets and foldables continues with a new formatting bar and Smart Compose.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides partnering with NBC and Team USA, Google is celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympics across its major services.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has been building out the “your space” section of Discover for a few months and is now using it to surface games…
Expand Expanding Close
The Google Home app is rolling out support for the Nest Hello — officially the “Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen)” — as part of the Public Preview program.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Drive is adding automatically generated captions to videos you upload. This is already widely rolled out.
Expand Expanding Close
At I/O 2024, Gemini Advanced started using 1.5 Pro and Google is now upgrading the free version of Gemini with 1.5 Flash.
Expand Expanding Close
New faces for the Pixel Watch 3 are a given and the first one today shows how Google will be using the extra screen real estate.
Expand Expanding Close
Following yesterday’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 leak, another one today reveals that Google’s new headphones will bring back some sort of wing tips. In the cover image above, you see what design the 2020 Pixel Buds had.
Expand Expanding Close
After adding public transit directions earlier this year, Google Maps for Wear OS now has a redesigned Tile and two new complications.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube for Android is testing a redesign of the miniplayer that serves as an in-app picture-in-picture (PiP).
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement yesterday, Google is rolling out updates to the Charge 6, Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3. The trackers and smartwatches are all getting updated to version 210.26.
Expand Expanding Close
After rolling out a custom camera earlier this year, Google Messages now offer face filters.
Expand Expanding Close
As teased by an FCC filing, Google is working on a new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen).
Expand Expanding Close
Like other major Google apps, Gemini is now on social media, specifically X. The account sent out its first tweet this morning.
Expand Expanding Close
Last year, desktop Chrome replaced the downloads bar for a new tray UI in the top-right corner and Google is now detailing how that redesign allows for more security warnings.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to colors, we now have our first design leak of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and it shows a new, updated look. Overall, Google is sticking with the same buds form factor rather than pursuing a stem.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Play wants to be “more than a store” by surfacing music, movies, TV shows, and non-media content through a new Collections widget on your Android homescreen. The goal is to surface specific recommendations from the apps already on your device in one feed, but there’s the potential for so much more.
Expand Expanding Close
With the “last scheduled update,” Google’s feedback survey for Android 15 Beta 4 is available.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in March, Google Lens introduced the highly-requested ability to save your Visual Search History, and it has now gotten a big UI update.
Expand Expanding Close
Fitbit today announced a handful of updates for Fitbit devices, including the Sense 2, Versa 4, Charge 6, and Inspire 3.
Expand Expanding Close