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.
My technological “how often do you think about the Roman Empire” is the double twist shortcut introduced with the Moto X that would launch the camera from anywhere, including when the screen is off.
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Welcome to the sixth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk about Android 15 Beta 1, widgets, and Google Wallet.
Following renders back in January, there’s now a leak of real-life Pixel 9 Pro images showing off the new design language.
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Sundar Pichai is out with an internal email today detailing the big “Platforms & Devices” reorganization of Android, Chrome and Pixel, as well as other company-wide changes.
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It remains to be seen how the new combined Android and Pixel division will actually work in practice, but this is what Google has said so far about its AI future.
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At I/O 2022, Google announced the ability to mask your physical credit card with a virtual number, and Citi cards are now supported.
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Pocket Casts for Android has long offered a single widget and an upcoming update will overhaul it, while introducing two new options for your homescreen.
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Following the initial beta last week, Google is taking the first round of Android 15 Beta feedback — besides the NFC issue.
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With Google Arts & Culture getting a dark theme today, one of the last first-party holdouts has folded.
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Ahead of Earth Day, Google Maps is adding a handful of features to make traveling more sustainable, like offering transit and walking alternatives instead of driving.
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Since the beginning of March, Google Wallet has seen a somewhat uncharacteristic flurry of updates with both new features and behavior changes.
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A small change to Google Messages settings moves where you can find who’s providing your Rich Communication Services (RCS).
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On the web, only a few Google apps and services offer a night mode. Google Drive is now the latest to introduce a dark theme.
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Google aims to update its Terms of Service (ToS), which covers over 70 products, every two years and changes in the 2024 edition address AI.
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Google is emailing Android users about an upcoming Play Store change to encourage the use of purchase verification via biometric authentication.
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The Fitbit app is rolling out a major redesign of its Sleep stats page, which we first spotted last month.
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The latest Made by Google Podcast episode talks to the development team behind Circle to Search (CtS).
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Following the ad blocker crackdown, YouTube is explicitly going after third-party — often mobile — apps that let viewers skip advertising.
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New “Verification settings” in Google Wallet for Android let you “choose if you’ll need to verify it’s you when using your payment methods and passes in Wallet.”
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After introducing transit payment verification settings, Google Wallet is adding a new one to “Automatically add linked passes.”
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Following the conclusion of a spring sale earlier this month, the Google Store is running another discount on the Pixel 7a, 8 series, and Fold.
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Users have noticed in recent weeks that Google is requiring device unlocks for every tap-to-pay transaction regardless of the amount. At the same time, Google Wallet appears to be testing a second change related to more frequent verification.
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Google Design published an interview with the “Google Fitbit UX team” that provides an interesting look at last year’s Material You redesign of the app, which is still taking shape.
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Welcome to the fifth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. We talk about the launch of the Find My Device network and our wishlist for a Pixel Tag.