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.
Sundar Pichai on Tuesday sent an internal memo reiterating how Google “got it wrong” with Gemini responses and image generation. The CEO told employees that they have to “focus on what matters most: building helpful products that are deserving of our users’ trust.”
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out a redesign of Search settings on the web that centralizes everything into the account menu.
Expand Expanding Close
Google introduced the Watch Face Format (WFF) with Wear OS 4 and is now encouraging developers to migrate to access complications.
Expand Expanding Close
Even before generative AI, it was clear that Google Assistant was in retreat. Now that Google is in its “Gemini era,” what’s next for Assistant?
Expand Expanding Close
Google announced “glanceable directions” for Maps on Android and iOS last February, and a new setting called “Glanceable directions while navigating” is now available.
Expand Expanding Close
Following reminders last week, Gemini on Android can now access your Google Calendar events, as well as create new ones via voice command.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides more widely rolling out auto-grouping Stacks, Google Photos is getting a new Activity-based personalization setting.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out a new form factor switcher for screenshots and reviews on Play Store listings, while a second splash screen of sorts is appearing when launching the app.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has updated its Calendar app on the iPhone and iPad with a trio of convenient lockscreen widgets.
Expand Expanding Close
Last May, Google integrated YouTube Kids into the main YouTube app on smart TVs. This will soon be the only way to access YouTube Kids on television.
Expand Expanding Close
As Google’s rebrand of Nearby Share continues, we’re now seeing Quick Share appear on Chromebooks.
Expand Expanding Close
The OnePlus Watch 2 powered by Wear OS 4 touts “dramatically extended battery life of up to 100 hours of regular use with all functionalities accessible in Smart Mode.” This is due to the “substantially expanded” Wear OS hybrid interface, with Google touting how it has made “fundamental design changes to the platform” that improve performance and power.
Expand Expanding Close
As announced at CES 2023, Google is rolling out support for Spotify Connect in the Android media switcher to improve the cross-devices experience.
Expand Expanding Close
At Mobile World Congress 2024, Google announced a handful of wearable and navigation-related updates, starting with public transit directions in Google Maps for Wear OS.
Expand Expanding Close
As we previously spotted, Gemini is coming to Google Messages as a chatbot that helps you “draft messages, brainstorm ideas, plan events, or simply have a fun conversation.”
Expand Expanding Close
Google is opening up the Fitbit app and will show stats from Health Connect services. Announced at Mobile World Congress 2024, this is being pitched as providing a “more complete picture of your health.”
Expand Expanding Close
At Mobile World Congress 2024, Qualcomm announced new connectivity offerings with the FastConnect 7900 and Snapdragon X80 5G, as well as the Qualcomm AI Hub.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out a Chromecast with Google TV 4K update that adds Fast Pair and a new Audio output switcher.
Expand Expanding Close
Quick Share is still rolling out, but we’ve found a peculiar little trick on how to get Quick Share on your Google phone or tablet using the Pixel Tips app.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in October, Google Photos started rolling out a native Android 14 share sheet instead of its custom implementation, and we’re not seeing it widely available on Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement earlier this week, the new Google Account sign-in page is rolling out to phones, tablets, and computers.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Photos announced “Photo Stacks” in November and it’s now starting to roll out on Android after first debuting on iOS.
Expand Expanding Close
While Chrome for Android has a simple UI when browsing the web, diving into the overflow menu disabuses you of that notion. It takes up the entire length of your screen at this point, and Chrome on Android is looking to add a second “Bookmark” button for some reason.
Expand Expanding Close
My reservations about Google calling all of its AI features “Gemini” remain, but most users seem to like the branding change. One thing I’ve seen people speculate about is a “Hey Gemini” hotword in the future.
Expand Expanding Close