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.
As of late, there’s been increased chatter about AI agents that take a command and physically perform the task, including the needed taps and swipes, on your phone. This talk of building an AI agent reminds me a great deal of the “new Google Assistant” that was announced with the Pixel 4 in 2019.
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After teasing the milestone last week, Google One now has 100 million subscribers, with Sundar Pichai saying how the AI Premium Plan will drive future growth.
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The Pixel 8 camera ad will be joined by another from YouTube TV on Sunday just before the Super Bowl kicks off.
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Google has widely rolled out the latest Google Play system update (January 2024) for Pixel devices.
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At launch, Gemini on Android can perform some key Google Assistant features — by essentially routing the command — but it’s far from a complete list.
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Announced back in June, Google News on Android is rolling out a redesigned Following feed that provides the “latest updates from the topics, sources and locations you select to follow.”
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The US Google Store currently has Black Friday/holiday-level discounts on the Pixel 8 and is now launching a referral program with a $50 coupon code.
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Sundar Pichai announced last week that Google One is about to cross 100 million subscribers. Google One is now getting a new AI Premium plan that costs $19.99.
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Announced as Assistant with Bard alongside the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro last October, Google today is rolling out Gemini to provide an optimized mobile experience that integrates with Android, while it’s now part of the Google app on iOS.
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Teased in December as its most capable AI model, Google is rolling out Gemini Ultra 1.0 today. To mark this occasion, Google Bard is being renamed to Gemini on the web, while it’s now available on Android and iOS.
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Google’s first preview of Android 14 QPR3 is available today, and we are diving into Beta 1 to find what new features have been introduced.
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As we wait for QPR2 to hit stable, Google is ready to start the next quarterly cycle with Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 today.
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The Google Maps UI has largely been unchanged for the past several years, but that’s now changing with pretty significant redesigns across key surfaces, including when searching for directions.
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Last year, Google announced that Play Protect would prompt you to scan unknown Android apps before sideloading. Google is now piloting enhanced financial fraud protection for Play Protect.
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As Quick Share rolls out to Android, Google has updated Nearby Share for Windows with the latest branding.
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In removing the bottom bar (again), Files by Google is making a pretty notable design change that simplifies the app.
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Chrome. I need Google’s browser on visionOS even if it’s just the iPad version. That’s the thing I’m missing the most as a heavy user of Google apps since getting Apple Vision Pro.
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Like the iOS app, Google Maps for Android now overlays the weather and AQI when you’re browsing the map layer.
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YouTube CEO Neal Mohan today shared what the video service is focusing on in 2024. At a high-level, it’s AI, elevating creators, safety, and the “next frontier” of the living room and subscriptions.
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GFiber, previously Google Fiber, is planning to raise external capital in order to expand and offer internet service in more cities.
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As part of Safer Internet Day, Google announced a trio of upcoming Family Link capabilities, including Password Manager sharing, and partnerships with the Sesame Workshop and Highlights Magazine.
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After introducing on desktop last year, Google Chat for Android now lets you star messages. However, this required the addition of an overflow button to the floating bar that now looks a bit crowded.
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Google is rolling out the next Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 update with the February 2024 security patch today. It’s coming at the same time as the phone updates earlier this morning.
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No* Google apps are available on the Apple Vision Pro at launch, but YouTube revealed today that a “Vision Pro app is on [its] roadmap.”
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