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.
Last week, the Google Home team kicked off a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything), and the first set of responses touch upon homescreen widgets and expanded Wear OS camera notification support.
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Fitbit has been down for the past few hours. The issue started on Wednesday afternoon (PT), with the app not showing any stats. In lieu of metrics, you just get blank space.
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Before the Pixel Watch, I happily used various Fitbit trackers because all the Wear OS 2 options were lacking. Now that a Google-made smartwatch is available, I didn’t foresee pairing any other wearable to my Android phone. The Fitbit Charge 6 changed that, and I very much consider it to be a Pixel Watch Lite.
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Before the Fold, I used the Pixel 7 daily because it was the smallest phone Google put out. That device, frankly, lacked a discernible personality and did not feel more than the sum of its parts. With the Pixel 8, Google designed something so entirely different – and good – that the whiplash is truly profound.
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Following the announcement at the Pixel 8 and Watch 2 event last week, the Pixel Buds Pro 5.9 update is now seeing wide availability.
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Earlier this year, Google Meet introduced 1080p streaming for 1:1 conversations, and it’s now coming to group calls.
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Following the announcement of Assistant with Bard last week, development in the Google app is ramping up. In addition to Pixel 8 users, Google is getting ready to bring Assistant with Bard to Tensor-powered Pixel devices, as well as Samsung’s Galaxy S23 and S24.
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The default wallpapers on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are officially part of the “Minerals” collection, but Google is bringing a new collection — called “Gems” — of ringtones, notification sounds, and alarm sounds to all Pixel phones.
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Just last month, Google was forced to limit Nest and Home devices to one Speaker Group in response to the Sonos lawsuit. The underlying patent has now been ruled invalid by a US judge.
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Following the first drop in September to mark Google’s 25th birthday, a new set of “Exclusive Pixel Superfans wallpapers” are available, and they are inspired by the Pixel 8.
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Following a naming update for smartphones in 2021, Qualcomm today announced the new “Snapdragon X Series” brand for its upcoming PC chipsets that feature the in-house Oryon CPU.
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After launching in May, Google will soon actively encourage users to set up passkeys for their Gmail, YouTube, and other first-party accounts.
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Today, Google announced a number of AI-powered sustainability features for end users and public officials, like Flood Hub in the US and Project Green Light.
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Google today detailed its response to the terrorist attacks in Israel that started on Saturday. Later that day, CEO Sundar Pichai addressed employees in an internal email, with the company continuing to provide updates on the situation.
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Following Gmail last week, Google Calendar for Wear OS is now available to download on the Play Store.
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YouTube Music’s three-dot overflow menu is finally getting a redesign that at least starts to address how overcrowded and cluttered it is.
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Google Fi is reaching out to existing subscribers with pretty good “upgrade” offers that bring down the Pixel 8 to $399 and Pixel 8 Pro to $599.
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Following the launch of the first Chromebook Plus devices, Google will soon roll out an OS update to existing devices.
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The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro haven’t launched yet, but Google has already teased new AI functionality for upcoming Feature Drops.
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Wear OS 4 is coming to the original Pixel Watch later this year and will bring some of the new safety features debuting on the Pixel Watch 2.
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After widely rolling out on Android, Google Messages for web has received the updated branding and animated emoji.
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“Have you ever questioned the nature of your reality?”
That question from Westworld, which had a phenomenal first season and then… went to Cold Storage, has been on my mind since seeing the Pixel’s editing capabilities in Google Photos. However, my hesitation dates back to the Camouflage feature announced at I/O 2022.
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Google is rolling out version 2.0 of the Pixel Watch companion app ahead of next week’s launch and confirming several new features, like DND sync, in the process.
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Announced at the start of September, the At a Glance widget redesign is now widely rolling out to Pixel phones.
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