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 announced the Fitbit Charge 6 today with a focus on more accurate heart rate tracking, as well as first-party apps like YouTube Music and Google Maps.
Expand Expanding Close
With Chrome 117, the desktop browser added “All Bookmarks” to the end of the Bookmarks Bar. That unneeded reminder has now been removed.
Expand Expanding Close
The “Listen again” carousel is how I primarily interact with YouTube Music, and Google is testing a larger, more dense version.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out ChromeOS 117, and it’s a very big update for Chromebooks that adds Material You, as well as other usability enhancements.
Expand Expanding Close
A small tweak to the Google Photos website in recent days modernizes the interface for uploading images and videos.
Expand Expanding Close
Whenever Apple releases a major OS update, as it did last Monday with iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10, developers – both large but especially indie – release a slew of day one updates to support the latest platform features.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the launch last week, Google is now soliciting feedback with an Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 survey. There are a handful of new user-facing features, as well as bugs. Google Wallet not working initially was problematic, but that has since been resolved.
Expand Expanding Close
Google announced at the start of this month that Nest Aware is getting a price increase. The Google Home app now reveals that an “All-in-one subscription from Google” could be in the works.
Expand Expanding Close
Alongside the 13T Pro, Xiaomi today announced the Watch 2 Pro running Wear OS.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube Music will be Google’s one podcasting app and service going forward, with Google Podcasts set to go away in 2024.
Expand Expanding Close
After the big Now Playing redesign, YouTube Music is adding a small Song details section in the Related feed.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to the Android and iOS redesign this week, Fitbit is rolling out some visual tweaks to its Wear OS app, including Tiles, on the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding Close
In a curious bit of branding, the Pixel 8 Pro will reportedly feature what Google calls a “Super Actua display” that has up to 2,400 nits of peak brightness.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in August, we reported that the Pixel 8 will get significantly more Android OS updates, and a new leak today pegs that number at seven years.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the US this morning, UK pricing for the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, as well as the Pixel Watch 2, has leaked.
Expand Expanding Close
In recent days, Google Pixel and Samsung owners have noticed that Smart Lock’s Trusted devices option has gone missing.
Expand Expanding Close
With the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro launching today, Google Fi has instructions on eSIM activation for those being told that Apple’s new devices are not supported.
Expand Expanding Close
As part of Works with Nest (WWN) shutting down next week, Google says it will stop supporting the “legacy Nest skills for Alexa.” To avoid any control disruption, owners need to migrate from Nest to Google Accounts and activate the newer “Google Nest Skill for Alexa.”
Expand Expanding Close
Before Google started “Get The Message,” its campaign to pressure Apple on RCS for the iPhone played out in press interviews, tweets, and even on-stage at I/O:
Expand Expanding Close
The Pixel Buds Pro are rumored to get two new colors next month, and Google is now sending out a discount count that takes 40% off the Pixel Buds Pro and A-Series.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to Get the Messages continuing with iPager, T-Mobile announced today that its RCS offering is now powered by Google’s Jibe platform.
Expand Expanding Close
Google started “Get the Message” last year to pressure Apple into supporting RCS on the iPhone, and the campaign continues today with “iPager.”
Expand Expanding Close
At Made on YouTube today, the video site unveiled a new mobile editing app called YouTube Create and a slew of AI-powered features to help all along the creation process.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides letting you force aspect ratios, Android 14 QPR1 adds a “Continue using apps on fold” setting on the Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding Close