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.
For Pixel devices, Android 15 will introduce a new Home Controls screensaver. That experience is powered by the Dreams app, which Google just rolled out an update to via the Play Store for Pixel phones on Android 15.
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The latest updates to Google Wallet span the Wear OS app (passes), website, and Gmail integration (train tickets).
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Google has halted the rollout of the Wear OS 5 update for the first-gen Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 after some users had their devices soft brick.
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In addition to a dedicated FAB, another way Google Messages is encouraging Gemini usage is through a welcome message.
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Following the announcement at I/O 2024, Google is now rolling out Contextual Smart Replies to Gmail for Android and iOS.
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In a reversal, the 26th Google Store birthday sale kicked off first in the US, and offers are now live in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
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With Chrome 129, Google is making a small tweak where Android’s navigation bar is now themed to every page.
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Following the changes earlier this week, the Gemini app is rolling out another redesign to the Android homescreen.
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Today’s launch of Balatro on Android is hitting an issue where users can’t actually purchase and download the game from the Google Play Store.
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Earlier this month, Google launched Audio Overviews in NotebookLM that turn your notes into a podcast. The latest NotebookLM update lets you use audio files and YouTube videos as sources.
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Fitbit for Android has now been downloaded over 100 million times from the Google Play Store.
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Google is not making a more premium version of the Google TV Streamer, with the “Google TV Stream Pro” moniker flying around just a name that was considered for the current model.
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At launch, the only spoken notifications available on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are from messaging apps, but Google is planning to upgrade the alert experience with Gemini.
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Following yesterday’s rollout of Wear OS 5 to the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, some users have reported issues with the update.
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Back in June, the Pixel 8 and newer phones gained DisplayPort Support and the Google Store is now selling a USB-C to HDMI cable just for that.
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The blue checkmarks that Gmail introduced to verify senders last year are now coming to the Android and iOS app.
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Following heart rate last week, the latest Fitbit stat pages to undergo a Material You redesign are Body responses & mood, Mindfulness, and Stress management score.
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Following the launch of the Pixel Watch 3 earlier this month, Wear OS 5 is now rolling out to the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 with the September 2024 security patch.
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The Gemini Extension for Google Calendar is starting to roll out for some accounts on Android and the web client.
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The fitbit.com website will be fully replaced by the Google Store starting next month.
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When the Google TV Streamer was announced in early August, only the US Google Store listed the device for pre-order. That has now changed with global availability as of September 24.
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With today’s Google TV Streamer launch, including at Amazon and other retailers, you can now buy the new Voice Remote directly from the Google Store, as well as a “Google Ultra High-Speed HDMI Cable.”
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The latest Google Doodle today is an interactive battle royale-esque game that celebrates “Popcorn!”
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To encourage business and enterprise use, Google is now letting paid Workspace tiers access the standalone Gemini app.
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