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.
Last year, desktop Chrome replaced the downloads bar for a new tray UI in the top-right corner and Google is now detailing how that redesign allows for more security warnings.
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In addition to colors, we now have our first design leak of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and it shows a new, updated look. Overall, Google is sticking with the same buds form factor rather than pursuing a stem.
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Google Play wants to be “more than a store” by surfacing music, movies, TV shows, and non-media content through a new Collections widget on your Android homescreen. The goal is to surface specific recommendations from the apps already on your device in one feed, but there’s the potential for so much more.
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With the “last scheduled update,” Google’s feedback survey for Android 15 Beta 4 is available.
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Back in March, Google Lens introduced the highly-requested ability to save your Visual Search History, and it has now gotten a big UI update.
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Fitbit today announced a handful of updates for Fitbit devices, including the Sense 2, Versa 4, Charge 6, and Inspire 3.
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Alphabet today announced Q2 2024 earnings with $84.72 billion in revenue. These numbers range from April to June.
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While “Google TV” has a clear future as seen with the upcoming “Streamer,” it is losing the ability to buy television shows on all platforms and form factors.
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After rolling out some Material 3 tweaks, Google Photos on the web is adding the “Documents” section that’s already available on Android and iOS.
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Back in April, we revealed that Google is working on a sequel to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) from 2020. 9to5Google can now report that this upcoming device will be the “Google TV Streamer.”
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In a rather stark turnaround, Google is no longer ending support for third-party cookies in its Chrome browser.
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Last year, Google brought the Pixel Superfans program to the UK in the first international expansion outside the US, and it’s now coming to Germany.
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In addition to the other battery-related changes in Android 15 Beta 4, Google has tweaked the Pixel widget to leverage more Dynamic Color.
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I like how Chrome for Android looks and works. When browsing, the primary interface is a pill-shaped address bar flanked by 2-4 buttons. While the design has been modernized and seen additions/removals over the years, it’s a layout that has been consistent since the app’s 2012 Android launch.
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In addition to launching the latest round of discounts around Prime Day, the US Google Store is trying to elevate its existing post-purchase support options for Pixel.
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YouTube Music for Android is rolling out a long-awaited “Sound Search” feature that lets you “Play, sing, or hum a song” to find it.
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Google does not want to make its own XR headsets or glasses. Rather, it’s taking an Android OEM model, with Google now looking to partner with EssilorLuxottica, which is behind Ray-Bans, for Gemini smart glasses.
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Welcome to the eighteenth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Android 15 Beta 4 and the official Pixel 9 Pro teasers.
After revealing the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro Fold design, Google’s teasing continues today with features and “22 reasons you should say goodbye to your phone.”
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At I/O 2024, Google said Gemini Live would offer ten natural-sounding voices instead of just the one we’re currently limited to, and testing appears to be underway.
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Besides tweaking the Easter egg to add flags, Android 15 offers an absolutely delightful “Landroid” screen saver that’s fantastic on the Pixel Tablet.
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If you pre-order the Pixel 9 Pro series in a handful of countries, Google is throwing in a “limited -edition collectible.”
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After only selling the original in four markets, Google looks set to make the Pixel 9 Pro Fold in more countries.
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At the moment (on Pixel), Google lets you run Battery diagnostics. Android 15 Beta 4 adds more advanced Device diagnostics that also let you see Battery status.
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