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.
Since last I/O, Workspace has rolled out Gemini features like Help me write, organize, and visualize. Google is now ready to launch the side panel in the Gmail, Drive, and Docs web apps with a big Gemini 1.5 Pro upgrade.
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Today, the only generative AI feature in Gmail for Android and iOS is Help me write. At I/O 2024, Google announced a trio of new Gemini features, like Q&A, for Gmail on mobile.
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Google announced Gemini 1.5 Pro in February and is now launching it in the paid Gemini Advanced subscription today.
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Google wants to reimagine Android with AI in two distinct ways that both leverage Gemini. At I/O 2024, Google is splitting the OS news into two days, with AI up first and more on Android 15 coming tomorrow.
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At I/O 2024 today, Google announced Gemini Live to talk to Gemini on the mobile app. This will soon be upgraded with conversational video capabilities as part of “Project Astra.”
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I/O 2024 kicks off today as Google’s biggest event of the year to share what’s new for users and developers. Gemini and AI will be a big focus, while we expect to learn more about Android 15.
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Following the 6.1-inch model in mid-April, real-life images of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL have now emerged in a leak. In the cover image above, you see the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL side-by-side, with those names not confirmed.
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After revealing a new version of Project Starline a year ago, Google today announced that it’s bringing the immersive video conferencing technology “out of the lab” by partnering with HP.
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Besides being a mid-ranger, Google is positioning the Pixel 8a as a “great phone for families” and kids. One way the Pixel 8a does that is with a “Snapshot” homescreen widget.
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Google’s work on letting you edit an RCS chat continues with some Messages users on Android already seeing this capability. This would bring Google Messages inline with other modern messaging services.
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Back in February, Google One AI Premium launched as the way to access Gemini Advanced and Gemini for Workspace. As we head into I/O 2024, are you paying for Gemini?
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Starting next month, Google is increasing the minimum OS version for Wallet on Android devices and Wear OS with security cited as the reason.
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Last October, Google boldly stated that the “Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are the most beautiful phones we’ve ever made.” An interview with Google’s director of Industrial Design, who made that proclamation, reveals some interesting details about the Pixel process.
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Welcome to the ninth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk about going hands-on with the Pixel 8a and preview Google I/O 2024.
Following the Pixel Fold last month, Circle to Search is now starting to roll out on the Pixel Tablet.
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Pixel repairability was the topic of this week’s Made by Google podcast, with some interesting insight into the design process and where repair is going in the future.
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At I/O 2016 and 2017, Sundar Pichai said Google was moving from “mobile first to AI first.” This involved “rethinking all [its] products and applying machine learning,” with search in Photos and Smart Reply being early examples of that. However, for much of last year, Google was considered to be on the back foot with applying large language models, and this AI-first proclamation was largely forgotten.
Historically, I/O is where Google makes its biggest announcements of the year. That being said, the AI race has forced the company to make more frequent announcements in the past year, not necessarily at the pace it otherwise would have. With I/O 2024 a few days away, here’s what we expect Google to announce.
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The latest Gboard 14.2 beta is rolling out with a particularly eye-catching change to the “Fix it” Proofread feature on Pixel.
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With the Pixel 8a unveil this week, Google appears to have taken down the “5G on your Pixel” website.
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After adding a custom camera, Google Messages should be in the process of rolling out “Selfie GIFs.”
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Google Photos is working on a redesign of the Library tab on Android that renames it to “Collections.” In recent weeks, Google has been testing this new UI with more users and the reaction is not particularly positive.
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To date, Google Chrome has launched three generative AI features and more that integrate Gemini are teased for this year. An interview today provides a look at the development process.
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As teased last May, Google Photos for Android is now using the animated Material You carousel for Memories.
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The Find My Device network can locate the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro even if it’s turned off or the battery is dead.
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