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 episode 28 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the launch of Android 15 and the October 2024 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
With the October 2024 (Feature) Drop, Google is rolling out Pixel Camera 9.6 to all supported devices. The Pixel 9 series is currently on version 9.5, but anything older remains on 9.4.
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Google will no longer have to make a series of Play Store changes by November 1 in response to losing the Epic lawsuit after the original judge granted a “temporary administrative stay.”
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The Google app is not the company’s nicest looking application, but a small carousel redesign on Android makes it a tiny bit more cohesive.
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Google only officially announced Chrome’s “Listen to this page” capability last month as part of the latest Android features for the fall season, and an update this week adds support for background playback.
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Google Photos on the web is getting an interesting new backup capability that can upload a folder “from your computer automatically.”
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As announced in September, Google Wallet is starting to test the ability to make digital IDs with US passports. It can be used as some TSA checkpoints.
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Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a big reorganization across Gemini, Assistant, and Search.
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Google is continuing to build on the viral success of NotebookLM with a handful of updates today. With millions of users to date, Google’s NotebookLM is losing the “experimental” status/badge in the top-left corner.
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Google today filed an appeal in the Epic case and wants the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to “pause the proposed changes to Android and Google Play” until the legal process plays out.
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Since the big redesign last year, Fitbit has been updating more and more of the app with Material You. An update today changes the color palette that the Fitbit app uses.
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Following the OTA for those on Android 14 yesterday, Google is rolling out the update to Pixel devices on Android 15 Beta 4.2.
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Google today detailed how you can now make complex image edits, like with Magic Eraser, in Photos while maintaining Ultra HDR quality on the Pixel 8+.
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Google Meet is currently upgrading the personal video calling experience and as part of this the “original” app has stopped working.
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Ahead of the busy holiday travel season, Google Flights is rolling out a new “Cheapest” search filter.
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Pixel users today received an update to “Device Connectivity Service” via Google Play today.
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A small tweak to Gboard for Android adds a font switcher for some degree of customization.
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Announced at the end of May, the Google Home Favorites widget on Android no longer requires that you join the Public Preview program.
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The Android 15 October security patch is rolling out for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold. There are Pixel fixes across Battery & Charging, Biometrics, Bluetooth, Camera, Display & graphics, Framework, System, Telephony, and User Interface with this update.
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With the launch of Android 15, Google is rolling out the October 2024 Pixel Drop. Besides the slight naming tweak, there are new features for all devices, while a lot of things introduced on the Pixel 9 are coming to older devices.
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After six major previews and betas, Google is ready to launch Android 15 for Pixel devices today. There are some notable additions and changes, but it’s not a particularly notable release in a continuation of the recent trend. Today’s release also coincides with the October 2024 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
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In addition to a slew of new features, the YouTube UI is getting some design updates across mobile, web, and TV. These visual improvements, including a subtle frosted glass effect, aim to “simplify” YouTube.
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Google Shopping is being redesigned with AI today. In addition to a site revamp and new logo, Google’s Shopping Graph has been combined with Gemini models to power these new experiences.
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YouTube is making official a number of updates that it’s been testing in recent months, like the new miniplayer and several design updates.
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