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.
While Voice is not a Google Workspace app, it’s sold as an “add-on” to the suite and managed by that team. Google Voice for Android is now getting a Material You redesign.
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Following the launch of iOS 16.4 on Monday, Google Fi today officially announced that 5G service is now available on the iPhone.
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Android 13 QPR3 Beta 2 is rolling out today much sooner than anticipated ahead of the June stable release.
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Just two weeks after the initial preview release, Google is rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 2 to Pixel phones.
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Google Fi is running an aggressive trade-in promotion wherein you effectively get the Pixel 7 for free after 24 monthly bill credits. This deal looks to be aimed at those new to the Google MVNO, with the old trade-in offer applying to existing customers.
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Welcome to the redesigned 9to5Google! Since we’re in the habit of breaking news rather than making it, let’s jump straight to the changelog:
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After launching My Ad Center last fall, Google is now introducing the Ads Transparency Center as a “searchable hub of all ads served from verified advertisers.”
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Google Wallet was announced last May at I/O and arrived a few weeks later. There was one “coming soon” exception, but Google Wallet is now rolling out in Japan.
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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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Besides the Tensor SoC on Pixel phones, Google has developed other custom chips, with all silicon design now occurring in the cloud.
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Ahead of International Fact-Checking Day (April 2), Google Search is launching a number of information literacy features, including Perspectives.
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At BETT 2023, Google previewed a handful of education features coming to Chromebooks this year. Notably, ChromeOS and the Chrome desktop browser are getting a Reading Mode.
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Besides Chrome updates at BETT 2023, Google shared upcoming Workspace features for education customers across Docs, Slides, and Classroom, while Meet is getting AI-powered hand raise detection.
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The latest version of the Google Home app (2.66) is rolling out as a smaller update with a pair of visual tweaks for the Preview redesign.
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The Google app on Android is overdue for a Material You redesign, but until then, it now has a comically large Search bar.
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Thanks to an expanded partnership, those subscribed to Frontier can now directly pay for YouTube TV and get a discount in the process.
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Earlier this week, Adaptive Charging was updated with a status notification and a one-time off button. In the process, Google might have updated Pixel Adaptive Charging to no longer require an alarm to work.
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The “Google Wallpapers” app launched on the Play Store in 2016 for all Android devices, and this collection recently gained a handful of new backgrounds.
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Following a redesign of the notes feed in December, Google Keep for Wear OS now offers two watch face complications.
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Pixel Adaptive Charging has been a contentious feature since it launched in December of 2020, and Google is now updating it with a notification to note when it’s active.
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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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Following the black dark theme and other video player updates in October, YouTube today detailed why and how it redesigned over 450 system UI and topic channel avatar icons.
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Google’s large screen optimization push continues with the Search app adopting a navigation rail on tablets, though it’s clearly early days.
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With spring starting on Monday, YouTube Music is now rolling out its 2022-3 Winter Recap with some changes compared to previous seasonal recaps.
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