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.
It’s clear that the Pixel Watch is Fitbit’s top priority. While the Sense 2 advanced on health features and sensors, it regressed on smartwatch functionality by dropping Google Assistant, offline music, and third-party apps. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 2022 watch lineup ends up being Fitbit’s last.
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It emerged in June that Google had killed its Iris smart glasses and was going all-in on the Android OEM model for XR. A new report today sheds light on the current state of projects, including how Google is looking to partner on smart glasses.
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Following the “last scheduled update” and a patch on Friday, the Android 14 Beta 5.1 feedback survey is now available to give Google what should be your final thoughts.
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Back in March, we enabled a big revamp of the voice recorder UI in Google Messages, and it has now undergone another redesign.
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Google has worked with Cameyo to give enterprise Chromebooks another way to run Windows applications using ChromeOS Virtual App Delivery.
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Following the large screen Android tablet and Chromebook redesign, Google Photos on the web has been updated with a new editor.
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Before the big redesign that we’ve previously enabled, At a Glance is getting an “About this content” section.
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Google DeepMind wants to change the perception that the public has about AI by offering alternative art and imagery that’s “more diverse and accessible.”
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The Android Runtime (ART) is responsible for literally running applications on the OS and has been updated via Google Play system updates since Android 12. Google today shared the latest on ART and upcoming enhancements.
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Google is finally adding a native translate capability to Gmail for Android and iOS after long supporting it on the web client.
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YouTube is exploring the impact of generative AI on music by partnering with the industry. Like Google’s AI Principles from 2018, YouTube now has music-related AI principles.
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Big updates to the Google Camera app are generally timed with new Pixel releases. For the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, Google Camera is getting its first big UI redesign in years.
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A notable update to YouTube Music for Wear OS lets you actually browse the songs in a playlist or album.
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Google Home 3.5 is rolling out with an update to Wi-Fi controls that lets you set increments when pausing the internet connection to a specific device.
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With the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro last October, Google reintroduced Face Unlock to its phones after abandoning the Pixel 4’s approach.
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Google’s work on optimizing first-party apps for Android tablets and foldables continues with an upcoming redesign for Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
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Following the last update just over a week ago that did not introduce any new features, Google is rolling out Android 14 Beta 5.1 as another bug fixer.
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To help owners learn more and become experts about their devices, Google now offers the Pixel Simulator. This website features “interactive tutorials about the hardware, features, and customization options.”
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The dark theme across Google’s first-party apps is generally more gray than black. Google Play is now testing a much darker dark theme.
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Google is in the process of adding a version history feature to Keep on the web that sounds quite basic.
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Google Contacts has seen an uptick in new features this year, and it continues today with local time and weather information.
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A small YouTube Music update today lets you conveniently “Play all” the songs in select carousels on your Home feed.
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Last year, Google stopped developing an “Assistant Memory” feature that would have presumably served as a new cross-service bookmarking system. The old approach is still around and is now called “Google Saved.”
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Google will soon stop supporting Assistant on Wear OS 2 watches and is encouraging people to upgrade to Wear OS 3 and newer.
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