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 21 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we recap Made by Google 2024, including the Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3.
As always, the Pixel 9 series introduces many new camera features. It remains to be seen what will be brought to older devices in future Feature Drops, but Pixel Camera 9.5 is now out there.
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As announced with the Pixel Watch 3, Google Maps for Wear OS is already rolling out offline support.
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Last year, the document scanner in Google Drive got a big update, and the tool on Android can now save uploads as JPEG files.
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As mentioned at Made by Google 2024, Pixel Magnifier 2.0 is rolling out with a number of major additions since it was introduced last year.
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It should have been clear from the start that Team Pixel is an influencer marketing program. With the launch of the Pixel 9 series this week, that is being made explicit.
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Back in 2018, the Google app on Android introduced the ability to customize the Search bar widget, but a redesign takes away most of the options.
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Last month, Google introduced Gemini 1.5 Flash to the free version of gemini.google.com. Gemini Advanced has now been updated with a “more capable version of Gemini 1.5 Pro.”
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Pixel and Android/Chrome lead Rick Osterloh was interviewed by Ben Thompson after Made by Google 2024 in a wide-ranging and interesting conversation.
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Compared to other Google apps, YouTube maintains its own mobile design language. That looks to be continuing, with YouTube testing a blurred bottom bar on Android.
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California today confirmed that residents will be able to add their driver’s license or state ID to Google Wallet (and Apple Wallet) “in the coming weeks.”
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As announced during Made by Google 2024, Gemini Live is rolling out and we’re seeing wider availability on Pixel and other Android phones today.
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Following the US launch in May, Google Search AI Overviews are coming to six more countries, while links will appear in a new “right-hand link display.”
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Pixel Weather is one thing existing users are particularly waiting for. So far, Google has only confirmed that the new weather app is coming to the Pixel Tablet.
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In addition to all the developments yesterday, the Gemini mobile app now lets you trigger Google Assistant Routines on Android.
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“Made for Google” is the company’s accessory certification program. Uptick for wearables has been on the slow side, but Bellroy is making a leather Pixel Watch band.
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Google is rolling out ChromeOS 127 as a smaller update for Chromebook owners this month. It will be available in the coming weeks.
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Yesterday, Google just showed new band colors and 45 mm sizes. However, a new Pixel Watch 3 Performance Loop Band is coming and we now know what it looks like.
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Earlier this week, Google Messages more widely rolled out the ability to hide the Gemini button. That option came just in time as a new design — which may be a bug — for that FAB is a bit much.
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Google Meet on Android and iOS is getting a big redesign of the personal video calling UI and experience — formally Duo — that doesn’t involve joining via meeting links.
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JerryRigEverything has an unboxing of the Pixel 9 Pro XL ahead of next week’s launch, with Google’s largest phone surviving the durability test.
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Android 15 Beta 4.2 is the final preview release before a stable launch. Google is now preparing testers for the Android 15 December Quarterly Platform Release (or QPR1).
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Almost a month after the “last scheduled update,” Android 15 Beta 4.2 rolled out earlier today with more Pixel fixes.
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After Google was found to have a monopoly over online search, the US Justice Department will next offer proposals to a judge on how to remedy the situation. New reports today detail how the DOJ might ask for a breakup of Google, specifically Android and/or Chrome.
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