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.
In one of the more interesting and practical AI use cases, the Google SGE (Search Generative Experience) will let you imagine the clothing you want and then shop for real-life matches.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Black Friday deals are kicking off a full week before Thanksgiving this year, and of note is a $200 discount on the Pixel 8 Pro that’s paired with slightly higher trade-ins.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the Search Generative Experience (SGE) in September, Google is rolling out Bard access for teens with safety guardrails in place.
Expand Expanding Close
First announced at I/O 2023 in May, Android 14’s “single app” screen recording feature is coming with QPR2.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s first preview of Android 14 QPR2 is available much sooner than expected, and we are diving into Beta 1 to find what new features have been introduced.
Expand Expanding Close
Instead of QPR1 Beta 3, Google is already moving on to Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 today for Pixel phones, Tablet, and Fold.
Expand Expanding Close
In a rather charming move that certainly has promotional benefits for the brand, Google wants to help animal shelters take better adoption pics by offering a free “Pawtraits Kit” that includes a Pixel 8 Pro.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has been selling its own line of Titan Security Keys for several years now, and new USB-C and USB-A models with NFC today let you store passkeys.
Expand Expanding Close
As international YouTube Premium increases get underway, Google is making official a handful of features for the subscription.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the big app redesign, Google Photos is rolling out a trio of new features, like auto-grouping Photo Stacks.
Expand Expanding Close
In a bid to have Search surface more authentically human content, Google is experimenting with a quick way for people to create and read “Notes” that contain “helpful tips about an article or topic from both experts and everyday people.”
Expand Expanding Close
Ahead of the holiday season, Google Maps is adding shared lists that let people vote on places, as well as filters for transit directions.
Expand Expanding Close
With Google Podcasts shutting down in 2024, YouTube Music is getting the ability to add podcasts via RSS feed. This is now rolling out for the first users.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to battery percentage, the Fitbit app is rolling out goal celebrations and the Steps streak in response to user feedback about the initial Material You redesign.
Expand Expanding Close
As we’ve been tracking, Google is now beginning to roll out “Profile discovery” in Messages for Android to establish your name and photo across the RCS app and others.
Expand Expanding Close
Google and WhatsApp today announced a change where WhatsApp chat and media backups on Android will “start counting toward your Google Account cloud storage limit” from December 2023 onward.
Expand Expanding Close
As the Epic v. Google lawsuit continues, we learned today that Samsung devices, as of early 2019, accounted for “half or more” of Google Play revenue.
Expand Expanding Close
Last month, Fitbit detailed a handful of upcoming changes for its redesigned app in response to user feedback, including the return of battery percentage for trackers and smartwatches.
Expand Expanding Close
If your Pixel phone on Android 14 has been repeatedly rebooting (in a bootloop), Google has a “specialized” fix that involves manually installing an update via the Pixel Repair Tool.
Expand Expanding Close
Last month, Google opened its third retail location in Mountain View, following Chelsea and Williamsburg. The next Google Store will be in Boston.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is redesigning Drive’s homepage on Android and iOS with a more compact UI to “help you more easily find the right file much faster.”
Expand Expanding Close
While I think the “Laser Ink Display” projector on the Humane Ai Pin is pretty cool and makes for a very interesting user experience, I do not think this product is anywhere close to replacing the smartphone.
Expand Expanding Close
Given the tall aspect ratios of today’s phones, Gboard in landscape orientation often takes up most of the display (and leaves only a few lines of text visible), but Google now has a floating alternative.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in September, Google announced a Material You redesign of desktop Chrome that’s now more widely rolling out.
Expand Expanding Close