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.
A new rumor today says that the bulk of the Pixel 9 series will launch just over a week after the announcement, but everything else looks to be further out.
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After introducing on the Fitbit Ace LTE earlier this year, Google is bringing “School time” to Android phones and tablets, as well as Samsung Wear OS devices.
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SMS Blasters — which are also known as Stingrays, False Base Stations (FBS), and cell-site simulators — can be used by nefarious parties to “lure mobile devices to connect to them” and send fake text messages. One way to combat them is by disabling the insecure 2G connection on your Android device.
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After adding Help me write, Tab Organizer, and a Gemini shortcut earlier this year, Google is rolling out the next set of AI-powered features to desktop Chrome, including a promising conversational search experience for browsing history and improved visual search. Broadly, Google wants to add AI features that make your “browsing experience even more helpful.”
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A promo video and other marketing materials for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold have leaked to show how thin it is, as well as how Google plans to market its second-generation foldable.
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Following testing in December, Google is moving Play Store search to the bottom bar with a new tab.
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As previewed at I/O 2024, Google Maps is more widely rolling out a redesign that simplifies the bottom bar.
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The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leaks continue with an early unboxing showing off what the new design looks like up close.
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We already know the camera specs and some AI features for the Pixel 9 Pro, but the latest leak reveals that Google will be leveraging Video Boost for 8K footage.
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With the launch of iOS 18 this fall, the iPhone will support RCS for meaningfully improved messaging experience with Android users, and Google today released an ad to highlight that.
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Historically, Pixel phones have launched with the new version of Android. A leak today says that might not be the case in 2024, with the Pixel 9 series apparently launching with Android 14.
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Regulatory leaks have already provided an idea of how big the batteries on the Pixel 9 series are, but we now have more definite specs, including faster charging speeds.
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As part of several safety updates today, Google is updating Circle to Search and Lens with “About this image.” The company is also working to combat explicit fake imagery.
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In addition to image safety, Google is rolling out new features to Waze and Maps, like a redesign of incident reporting.
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Gemini in Google Messages exited beta at I/O 2024 last month and now features a double FAB design.
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If Gboard for Android looks ever so slightly different in recent days, it’s because the button for accessing the various keyboard tools is now themed with Dynamic Color in dark mode.
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Compared to the 41 mm Pixel Watch 2, the 45 mm Pixel Watch 3 is said to have “40% more screen.” The big question is how Wear OS will adapt to the bigger display, and we now have an answer on the watch faces front.
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Google Photos recently made its AI editing tools free and the company is out with an interesting blog about tips and best practices. Of note is a section explaining the difference between Magic Eraser and the erase tool in Magic Editor.
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In addition to Docs, Sheets, and Slides, the Gemini side panel is now coming to the Google Drive PDF viewer.
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Earlier this year, new Wear OS 4 devices started claiming up to 100 hours of use due to a new “hybrid interface.” According to a new leak, battery life on the Pixel Watch 3 will remain the same.
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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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Following last week’s announcement, Google Play’s new content recommendations “Collections” widget is starting to see broader availability (server-side rollout) in the US.
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While we just had the “last scheduled update,” Google is still releasing patches for Android 15 and Beta 4.1 today addresses a Pixel phone calling issue.
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An interesting change to Files by Google on Android today changes the behavior of the “Recents” carousel at the top of the app.
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