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.
Despite recent rampant speculation that the Pixel 8 series could remove the SIM tray and go eSIM-only, sources tell 9to5Google that reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. The Pixel 8 series will keep the physical SIM card tray in place, while the Pro will add Night Sight video.
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Following the rollout of a redesigned Now Playing, the YouTube Music team has now detailed what features it launched in June and July of 2023, including how it replaced some video versions of songs in playlists.
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Google is adding a new option to desktop Chrome that lets you quickly “Copy Video Frame.”
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Until Labor Day (Monday, September 4), the US Google Store is including a free case with every purchase of a Pixel Tablet.
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Google Maps is testing an updated color palette for the background map layer that will undoubtedly draw some comparisons to Apple Maps.
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Back in June, Google quietly brought At a Glance to the Pixel Watch, but that Wear OS complication has disappeared in recent days.
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Following the May launch in the US, Google is giving the Search Generative Experience (SGE) an international launch in India and Japan, while the company also shared early user research.
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At IFA 2023 today, JBL announced Authentics as a series of three speakers with a “timeless retro design” – it’s the first new Google Assistant speaker in recent memory and the first that works simultaneously with Amazon Alexa.
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Google this morning announced that its annual Pixel hardware event will be on Wednesday, October 4.
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Besides the upcoming homescreen redesign and Duet AI, Google Chat is getting voice messages and interoperability with third-party messaging services.
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A key selling point of the 2nd-gen Nest Hub is Soli-powered sleep tracking, and Google is now updating how respiration data is shown on the device.
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In addition to other Workspace announcements around Chat and Meet at Cloud Next ’23 today, Google Docs is getting a new paid “Proofread” feature that replaces today’s Spelling and grammar check.
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Since its 2021 launch, the complaint that emerged with the Google Photos Locked Folder is people setting up new devices only to find that those images and videos didn’t transfer over. Google Photos is now addressing that with Locked Folder backup, with the broader feature also coming to iOS and the web.
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Back at I/O in May, Google announced that Duet AI would be the brand for generative AI in Workspace (and Cloud). At Cloud Next 2023, Google is now ready to launch Duet AI as a paid offering for enterprises.
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Google Meet is getting a torrent of Duet AI features at Cloud Next 2023 from “takes notes for me” and “attend for me” to studio audio and video enhancements.
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As previously reported, Google Chat is getting a UI redesign as well as Duet AI features at Cloud Next 2023.
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Back in January, the YouTube Music team asked users what features they most want, and is now providing a status update on requests from the development team.
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Google sent an email today to Fi Wireless subscribers about Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) and how it’s opting them in to sharing that information with Alphabet affiliates.
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While the Pixel 6 ushered in three years of major Android OS version updates and an additional two for security patches, that’s still nowhere near the longevity of the iPhone. Google hopes to change that on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro with noticeably more OS updates.
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The Google Home script editor that launched in Public Preview this June is getting its first update across four areas today.
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Following last week’s first-gen Nest Cam Indoor update, Google is boosting the Home app’s automation capabilities with a ton of new starters and actions. This is rolling out starting today for all users without needing to be enrolled in the Preview Program.
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At the start of this month, Fitbit announced a Material You redesign of its app, and I regret to inform you there is currently no dark theme.
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Google Flights already tells you whether current prices are low, typical, or high, and it will now definitively tell you when the cheapest time to book is.
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As part of optimizing phone-sized apps for tablets and foldables, Google replaces the bottom bar for a navigation rail. This puts controls where your hand rests when holding a large screen device, similar to how your thumb has easy access to the bottom edge of a phone, rather than needing a second hand to navigate.
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