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.
Android 15 introduces a Material You redesign of the Volume menu, but one current beta regression is the loss of integrated Pixel Buds Pro controls.
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At the end of May, Google announced the first set of Cross-device services features, with Call casting and Instant hotspot now rolling out to Android devices.
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We revealed what the Google TV Streamer looks like earlier this week, and now some of the first specs might have emerged.
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In addition to Pixel Screenshot and photo features like “Add Me” and “Reimagine with,” the Pixel 9 might get call recording and a redesigned Panorama experience.
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Earlier this week, we learned about the design of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and a new leak reveals the possible price.
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Ahead of the Pixel 9 launch next month, Google is expanding the availability of Preferred Care beyond the US and Canada to the UK and Japan.
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Welcome to the nineteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the latest Pixel 9 series, Pixel Buds Pro 2, and Pixel Watch 3 leaks.
From what has leaked, Google is positioning Pixel Screenshots alongside Gemini and Circle to Search as the Pixel 9’s biggest assistive features.
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So far, Google’s official teasers about the upcoming launches have ignored the Pixel 9, but a promo video leak shares how it will be advertised.
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Given the new shape, Google’s case designs for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL have to change more significantly this year, with a leak today revealing the look and available colors.
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Google’s work on optimizing Gmail for Android tablets and foldables continues with a new formatting bar and Smart Compose.
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Besides partnering with NBC and Team USA, Google is celebrating the Paris 2024 Olympics across its major services.
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Google has been building out the “your space” section of Discover for a few months and is now using it to surface games…
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The Google Home app is rolling out support for the Nest Hello — officially the “Nest Doorbell (wired, 1st gen)” — as part of the Public Preview program.
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Google Drive is adding automatically generated captions to videos you upload. This is already widely rolled out.
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At I/O 2024, Gemini Advanced started using 1.5 Pro and Google is now upgrading the free version of Gemini with 1.5 Flash.
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New faces for the Pixel Watch 3 are a given and the first one today shows how Google will be using the extra screen real estate.
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Following yesterday’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 leak, another one today reveals that Google’s new headphones will bring back some sort of wing tips. In the cover image above, you see what design the 2020 Pixel Buds had.
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After adding public transit directions earlier this year, Google Maps for Wear OS now has a redesigned Tile and two new complications.
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YouTube for Android is testing a redesign of the miniplayer that serves as an in-app picture-in-picture (PiP).
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Following the announcement yesterday, Google is rolling out updates to the Charge 6, Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3. The trackers and smartwatches are all getting updated to version 210.26.
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After rolling out a custom camera earlier this year, Google Messages now offer face filters.
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As teased by an FCC filing, Google is working on a new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen).
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Like other major Google apps, Gemini is now on social media, specifically X. The account sent out its first tweet this morning.
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