Following phones and watches, the Google Fi store is getting its first tablet with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G.
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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.
Following phones and watches, the Google Fi store is getting its first tablet with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 5G.
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YouTube is rolling out updates to its video search filters that include renames, removals, and other adjustments. These changes aim to “align better with your expectations.”
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Besides previewing the future of Gmail today, Google is making a number of AI features that previously required a subscription free for personal accounts.
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Google today previewed the future of Gmail, with new features like AI Overviews for search that are rolling out starting today and the upcoming ”AI Inbox.” This comes as Gmail has over 3 billion monthly active users.
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Gboard for Android is slowly getting M3 Expressive, but the shortcuts page redesign comes at the expense of density.
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Following the camera and gallery redesign, Google Messages is testing a new long-press menu for text and image actions.
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Last year, Google Drive’s Material 3 Expressive redesign rolled out in a piecemeal fashion and saw one aspect revert. The full revamp with the container component is now available.
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Just like other modern devices, the Pixelsnap Charger will see firmware updates, with the latest version of Pixel Stand revealing some details.
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At this point, Google Voice is primarily an enterprise service, with the vast majority of new features for paid customers. Google Voice is now working on a “Gemini Notes” capability.
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A Google Play system update is rolling out to Pixel owners, and we’ve noticed across several devices that the install process is a bit buggy.
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Back in June, Google surprisingly released Snapseed 3.0 for iOS, and has now confirmed that the new version is coming to Android.
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Back in June, Google surprisingly brought back Snapseed but only on iOS. The app’s latest update introduces a retro “Snapseed Camera” for iPhone users.
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YouTube Music introduced the ability to share lyrics last year and is now upgrading the background options with generative AI.
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In recent years, Google TV has been the company’s focus at the Consumer Electronics Show. That remains the case at CES 2026, but Google is also using the Las Vegas conference to promote Android XR.
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Google Messages is more widely rolling out some tweaks to the combined camera and gallery interface on Android.
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At CES 2026, Google previewed upcoming Gemini for Google TV features that take better advantage of the large screen form factor.
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We asked what Google products you wanted the other day and there were some clear demands. I’ll repeat at the top that I think the Pixel brand is currently in a more cautious phase.
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Compared to the year prior, 2025 saw a lot of updates for Google Keep. It’s easily one of my most used apps on Android. While I don’t necessarily have any complaints about the service today, I wonder what a modern note-taking app from Google would look like.
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With the launch of Gemini 3 Flash, the Gemini app’s model switcher expanded, and there’s now a faster way to make a selection.
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Remember Google Clips? The not-quite-a-GoPro that used AI to automatically capture key moments was released at the second Made by Google event, and felt like the company’s penchant for experimental software was going to extend into hardware.
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During my hands-on with Android XR glasses last month, I kept returning to the digital clock that was displayed over the real world. Professionally, I have been waiting over a decade for Google to re-enter the smart glasses space, and everything is lining up for this to happen in 2026.
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A decade or so ago, I thought Google needed a newer mission than “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Having never lived without the Search engine, I frankly thought the mission was solved and that Google needed a new aspirational aim.
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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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One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
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