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.
Google recently introduced a new security measure for Pixel phones called Binary Transparency to provide user-verifiable guarantees that their devices haven’t been compromised.
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Google is giving the Pixel Tablet its first-ever discount 45 days after the June 20 launch.
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On Thursday, Chrome for Android started prompting users with a red arrow to update the browser even though a new version is not currently available.
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Back in February, Google announced that Assistant would gain a Lens-powered “Search screen” feature that’s a true “What’s on my screen” replacement. We’re now seeing it rolled out on more Android devices.
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Nothing announced today that it’s launching a sub-brand called CMF. “CMF by Nothing” will launch earbuds and a smartwatch later this year, though it’s unknown if the latter will run Wear OS.
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Google is rolling updates to a trio of its privacy features, including a significant update to Results about you that adds notifications.
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As we spotted earlier this year, Google is introducing a more visual and granular way to customize Gboard for Android with “Resize.”
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I think foldable screens are flawed as every fold wears out the display, but I do admit that the tech is getting good enough for that to not matter over the average lifespan of a phone. That said, I think there’s a more fundamental and conceptual question to be asked about today’s Android foldables: Does most large-screen content have to span the screen, and be physically connected when going from one half of a fold to the other?
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It emerged back in June that Google Domains was shutting down and that customers would be migrated to Squarespace. WordPress.com now wants to attract customers of Google Domains with free transfers.
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Google Lab Sessions are collaborations between “visionaries from all realms of human endeavor” and the company’s latest AI technology. Today, Google released TextFX as an “experiment to demonstrate how generative language technologies can empower the creativity and workflows of artists and creators” with Lupe Fiasco.
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As Google continues to test generative AI in its most important product, the Search Generative Experience (SGE) is picking up a handful of features, like video results.
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For years, files you download would appear in a bar at the bottom of Chrome, but Google is now changing the desktop browser’s UI so you get a download tray instead.
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With the rename and rebrand complete on the web, Android, and iOS, X is now turning its attention to TweetDeck, which is now called “XPro.”
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Besides Chrome, Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative is on Android to let apps show you relevant ads in a more private manner. The beta started earlier this year, and Google is now prompting more users about it with new Ad privacy settings.
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9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up to get it early in your inbox, or continue reading 9to5Google Log Out below:
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YouTube today announced a number of new Shorts features, but the most promising one for Creators is a recomposition tool to convert regular videos into vertical content.
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Similar to Android, desktop Chrome will soon gain an “Allow this time” option when prompted by websites to grant the geolocation, camera, or microphone permissions.
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Following the acquisition and Pixel Watch, Google is now thoroughly redesigning the Fitbit companion app on Android and iOS with Material You.
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Google announced internally today that it’s updating Google Assistant with the latest LLM (large language model) technology.
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YouTube made a small change at the start of this year that replaced the settings to pause search and watch history.
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Google is testing a curious change to the Play Store on Android that sees a somewhat persistent bottom bar.
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Google has committed to adding new data transfer capabilities to Takeout, including for YouTube, next year in response to an investigation by Italian competition regulators.
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For the past few years, international Google Stores have celebrated the company’s founding with hardware discounts, and that’s set to continue for the 25th birthday.
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X branding came to Twitter for Android earlier this week, and another update rolling out on Friday afternoon changes the app name, while “tweet” seemingly becomes “post.”
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