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.
Predictive Back will be one of the most apparent user-facing changes this fall. As work continues, Google at I/O 2023 shared how some developers, including Chrome, might adopt Predictive Back in Android 14.
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Ahead of I/O 2023 kicking off, Google has updated its AI Test Kitchen app with a neat “MusicLM” demo.
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Google has yet to share many details about Wear OS 4 as it enters developer preview with only minor tweaks, but one area of improvement will be health with improved golf tracking.
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Back in March, Google made pricing changes to Workspace tiers and is now switching to a pooled storage model for the entry Business Starter plan.
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The only mention of Android 14 during the I/O 2023 keynote was how the upcoming OS release adds new lockscreen customization options.
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Following the Duet AI announcement yesterday, many more people who signed up for Google Workspace Labs are now seeing the generative AI features in Gmail and Docs that “Help you write.”
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Having a good camera, despite the constrained package, was one of Google’s tentpoles in designing the Pixel Fold, and here’s a brief look at that.
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While Wear OS 4 was the big news yesterday, you can expect a handful of updates before then, especially related to Tiles.
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Following the announcement of Search Labs to test the upcoming Search Generative Experience (SGE), Google One subscribers are getting “priority access,” though it’s won’t be immediate.
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As work on Material 3 continues, Google now offers a delightful new carousel component. It might look like the wallpaper shortcut when you long press on the Pixel Launcher, but only the shape is similar there. The full carousel is quite animated.
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Google Wallet is getting a handful of new features at I/O 2023, including a Messages RCS integration for flight boarding passes.
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Besides the Charging Speaker Dock, Google’s only other first-party accessory for the Pixel Tablet is a “Case” that’s more solid and versatile than you’d expect.
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During the I/O 2023 keynote, Google surprisingly did not spend much time talking about Android 14 beyond lockscreen clocks and shortcuts. However, there are still a number of announcements across the various sessions.
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With the necessary “Cross-Device Services” component having rolled out last month, Google officially announced today that Chromebooks can stream apps from your Android phone.
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Joining the absolute fray of Google I/O 2023 announcements today is Android 14 Beta 2 for Pixel.
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In announcing the Pixel Tablet and Fold, Google emphasized that over 50 of its apps have been updated for large screens. Many of the tablet redesigns have already rolled out, with a few more coming to benefit Google Calendar, Weather, and the Play Store.
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After the lockscreen clock and shortcut tentpoles was revealed at Google I/O 2023, Android 14 Beta 2 for Pixel phones is rolling out today.
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The developer use cases for generative AI are as promising as the consumer ones, and Google Play will leverage it “present your app or game in the best possible light” and “helping users discover your title is their next favorite.”
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Ahead of Google I/O 2023, we went hands-on with the Pixel Fold and Tablet. Both are first-generation products, but one — surprisingly — ends up feeling less so than the other.
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One of the last announcements from the I/O 2023 keynote is Wear OS 4, as well as more first-party apps for the wearable platform with Gmail and Google Calendar.
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Announced last May and previewed again that fall, Google at I/O 2023 today fully detailed the Pixel Tablet. This is Google’s latest attempt in the form factor following the Nexus 7(2012 + 2013), 10, 9, Pixel C, and Slate, but the differentiating aspect this time around is how the Pixel Tablet can double as an Assistant Smart Display.
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With Beta 2 expected later today, Google at I/O 2023 detailed one big new feature coming with Android 14: lockscreen clocks and shortcuts.
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At I/O 2023, Google announced several safety, security, and privacy updates across its consumer-facing products, including a spam folder in Drive.
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AI-generated pictures be used for nefarious purposes, and Google is combating that with markings, labels, and “About this image.”
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