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.
After arriving at the FCC with specs like UWB confirmed, more Pixel Watch 3 details have leaked, including the codenames for the 41 mm (selene/helios) and 45 mm (luna/sol) models. (There are two to reflect the Bluetooth/WiFi and LTE variants.)
Expand Expanding Close
Back in 2019, Google Maps for Android gained a speedometer that simply “shows you how fast you’re driving on the road” and it’s now coming to the iPhone.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in April, Google Wallet gained a web experience that is now seeing wider international availability.
Expand Expanding Close
From the beginning, Google has prioritized being privacy-conscious with the Find My Device (FMD) network, including delaying the launch until the iPhone gained unknown tracker alerts. Google chose “aggregation by default” to the detriment of Find My Device performance, and is seemingly doubling down on that decision.
Expand Expanding Close
The GSMA Association (GSMA) is responsible for maintaining Rich Communication Services (RCS) and the latest update to the standard adds “Extended Messaging” that should improve Android and iPhone interoperability.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement in late May, Google Home is finally widely rolling out a new Wear OS Favorites Tile and device complications.
Expand Expanding Close
“Live” will let you have a two-way conversation with Gemini when it arrives this summer. Shown as a fullscreen experience at I/O 2024, Gemini Live might also work in the background, including on your lockscreen.
Expand Expanding Close
After introducing a homescreen widget, Google Home for Android is rolling out an Activity tab redesign that makes sorting device events easier.
Expand Expanding Close
With Made by Google 2024 next month, the Pixel Watch 3 has arrived at the FCC for regulatory approval.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube Music is testing a generative AI feature that lets you enter a prompt to create a custom radio.
Expand Expanding Close
With Android 15 enabling predictive back by default, these Google apps will show a preview of the homescreen as you swipe back.
Expand Expanding Close
This is not the update people are looking for, but Google Weather now includes the date in the 10-day forecast.
Expand Expanding Close
In recent months, the YouTube Music website/Progressive Web App (PWA) has seen a number of updates that combine to really overhaul the desktop experience and make it more competitive.
Expand Expanding Close
We’re still waiting for the Google Home Wear OS Tile and complication that was announced with this quarter’s Android and Pixel Feature Drop.
Expand Expanding Close
While I’m of the opinion that you should buy technology when you need it, Google’s expected switch to TSMC for the Tensor G5 casts a shadow over the Pixel 9.
Expand Expanding Close
In recent months, Google has been heavily promoting Play Points and the latest push is the ability to get Pokémon GO-branded swag.
Expand Expanding Close
Since the Pixel 6’s switch to an under-display fingerprint sensor, people have complained about unlock performance being a regression from the days of Pixel Imprint. Performance has improved over the years, but the Pixel 9 series is now rumored to adopt an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to the Gemini side panel on the web, Gmail for Android and iOS is now rolling out a Summarize capability to paid customers.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Contacts just updated the Individual contact widget with the ability to display notifications, and it’s now readying a “Besties Widget.”
Expand Expanding Close
After rolling out cross-device sync last year, Google Photos is making it much easier to open your Locked Folder on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding Close
A bug in Android 15 Beta 3 makes the lockscreen effectively useless for managing notifications by constantly demanding authentication every time you tap. Not all users are experiencing this issue.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube Music artist pages saw their last big redesign in 2019 and got some Material You tweaks later on. Another revamp is now being tested.
Expand Expanding Close
In a curious change, Google Messages no longer shows that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) isn’t available in iPhone RCS conversations.
Expand Expanding Close
After factory resetting, some Pixel 6, 6 Pro, or 6a owners have had their phones brick. Google is now out with steps on how to prevent this issue.
Expand Expanding Close