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 those not on Android 15, Google has released Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2 for Pixel today. It comes nearly two months after the last release on this track. A stable 14 QPR3 release is expected at the start of June.
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In 2022, Samsung and iFixit partnered to offer genuine repair parts for Galaxy phones and tablets. That’s now coming to an end, with iFixit having harsh words for the manufacturer.
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As announced at I/O 2024, Google is more widely rolling out the YouTube Music Gemini Extension. On mobile, this finally brings basic phone assistant functionality.
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Following its addition on mobile web in March, the Google app on Android is adding a dedicated “Notifications” feed in its bottom bar.
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As of late, desktop Chrome has been more actively highlighting its generative AI features, but you can fortunately turn off the “Help me write” suggestion.
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For the past several years, it’s been clear that Snapseed is in maintenance mode, and that continues this week with a small update rolling out on Android.
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Google Meet is introducing a new “adaptive audio” feature on the web that’s a crowdsourced alternative to dedicated video conferencing equipment.
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Previously, Google Flights would show available Southwest flights, but not the actual price. This has officially changed today.
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As we enabled in April, Google Messages is redesigning the compose/text field in Messages to return to a single line. It follows Messages widely rolling out the audio recorder redesign and Selfie GIFs.
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Google is rolling out three updates to Google Pay today that aim to streamline usage across the web and mobile experience, like showing your card benefits.
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With 220 million members in 35 markets, Play Points is one of the world’s largest loyalty programs. Google today is updating Play Points with “exciting new perks and rewards” across three areas.
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As I said in 2022, Google Calendar is my favorite first-party app for Android tablets and foldables. Following an update detailed at I/O 2024, it retains that top spot for me.
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Last week, Google upgraded Gemini Advanced with Gemini 1.5 Pro and document upload. Data analysis with spreadsheets was also teased and is now rolling out to Gemini Advanced.
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Last month, Google Photos announced that it would be making Magic Editor and other AI-powered tools free for all Android and iOS users. There are some constraints, but this is now starting to roll out for Pixel owners.
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The widget improvements in Android 15 Beta 2 continue with a simple “Add” button that saves you from having to manually drag them to your homescreen.
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With Android 15 Beta 2, you might have noticed that the time has disappeared from the Google Photos slideshow when your phone is charging on the Pixel Stand.
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As a ChromeOS user, be on the lookout for a new “Add to Chromebook” badge that will make it easier to install Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
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Following last week’s big update, Google is rolling out Android 15 Beta 2.1 today with just one fix for Private space.
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Google is rolling out a new Chromecast with Google TV update with the April 2024 security patch. It follows the last release in early April.
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With meaningful user-facing changes, like Private space, more Pixel owners are using Android 15 with Beta 2 and Google’s feedback survey is now available.
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Beta 2 of Android 15 is available today after Google previewed the major privacy, security, and theft protection tentpoles at I/O 2024.
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On-device AI is a big priority for Android going forward, and Google shared more developer resources at I/O 2024.
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Color codenames for upcoming Google devices often leak far in advance of official assets or live images. Going hand-in-hand with the wallpapers today is a look at the colors for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
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Since I/O 2023, Gemini has become the name for all of Google’s AI features. Amidst the Gemini product updates this week, Google officially explained the origin of that name.
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