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 Made by Google 2024 on Tuesday, Google is hosting a “star-studded livestream variety show” called the “After Party” to promote and highlight the Pixel 9 series.
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After rolling back the last Library redesign in 2022, Google Photos is trying again with a new tab called “Collections.” The goal is to make “finding content easier than ever.”
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We already know the European pricing for the Pixel 9 series, but how much the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL costs in the US might have now leaked.
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Following the leak earlier this week, the native Pixel Weather app is available for manual sideload.
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As we wait for Collections to widely launch, Google is rolling out “local recommendations” for the Play Store.
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The last remaining Pixel Watch 3 specs that have not yet leaked are now out with confirmation about the processor and RAM.
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The first big post-launch update for the Fitbit Ace LTE adds Tap to Pay, Lunch break, and new games.
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For queries that you don’t want saved to Account history, the Google Search app on Android is testing a rather prominent shortcut to “Chrome Incognito.”
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While we wait for Android 15 to hit stable, the Android 14 August security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, and 8a. This release came a day later than expected, while the Pixel Watch update was yesterday.
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Making a set-top box with the Google TV Streamer was a design departure for modern Google hardware — there was of course the Nexus Player — and the team today explained some of the decisions they took.
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With the new Google TV Streamer, the company released a new Voice Remote that has Chromecast with Google TV compatibility.
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The first Chromecast was announced in July of 2013 with the goal of letting people stream content from phones to televisions. With the launch of the Google TV Streamer, Chromecasts are no longer being manufactured.
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While Gemini is the future on phones, Google Assistant will remain on smart displays and speakers thanks to Gemini updates meant to improve the experience at home.
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After sticking with the dongle form factor for over 11 years, Google’s next streaming device is going a different route. The Google TV Streamer is a 4K set-top box that’s more expensive than the Chromecasts that it replaces.
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Some US states have built out their own apps for digital Driver’s License and ID Cards. California is one of those cases, but will soon add support for ID cards in Google Wallet on Android.
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Work on bringing the Gemini assistant to more form factors beyond the web and phones continues with a new mention of “Gemini on earbuds.”
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Google is rolling out the latest Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the August 2024 security patch today. Like last month, it arrives in the afternoon before the phone and Tablet updates.
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With the Pixel 9 series, Google is rumored to be releasing an exclusive Pixel Weather app.
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Ahead of the radical departure that is the Google TV Streamer, the next Chromecast with Google TV update (June 2024) is rolling out.
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In recent years, Google has been working to make Android apps smaller. As a result of that change, the process of installing (sideloading) Android APKs outside the Play Store might have an additional step.
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Back at I/O 2023, the Material team previewed what’s next for Google apps on large screens, like foldables and tablets. Making Material You more expressive was one such goal and that’s now coming to fruition, while a short bottom bar is also coming.
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With the Pixel 9 series, Google is introducing a new 45W USB-C Charger. We’ve already seen the US design, but here’s a look at the European variant.
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Last year, pre-ordering the Pixel 8 Pro got you a Pixel Watch 2 or Pixel Buds Pro. The Pixel 9 series is going a different direction for its pre-orders with storage upgrades and Google One.
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In a small but nice redesign, Google Messages is tweaking how photos sent with text appear in RCS conversations.
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