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.
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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Ahead of podcasts coming to YouTube Music, YouTube Studio has rolled out the necessary support and Creator tools for it.
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As we’ve been expecting, the latest Google app to get a tablet redesign is Contacts for Android.
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Qualcomm’s latest chip is the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 with a focus on “legendary experiences” and bringing “in-demand flagship features” to the 7-series.
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Google’s Project Zero team discovered severe 0-day vulnerabilities with the Samsung Exynos modems used on the Pixel 6 and 7, Samsung phones and wearables, and other devices that warrant disabling VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling until patched.
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Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 is rolling out today to continue the preview cycle ahead of a June stable release.
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After previewing Multiview earlier this week, YouTube TV announced a price increase today to $72.99 per month.
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Google’s upcoming midrange phone thoroughly leaked in recent days, and a Pixel 7a prototype has now appeared on eBay for the wild price of $2,550 (at the moment).
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To attract prospective subscribers, Google Fi is testing a seven-day trial of its service that takes advantage of eSIM support on Android and the iPhone.
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Following the stable launch of QPR2 on Monday, Google is rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 today to Pixel phones.
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Ahead of generative AI coming to Gmail and Docs, as well as third parties, Google has published a “prohibited use policy” for those using its upcoming products and capabilities.
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After testing in October, Google Messages looks to be widely rolling out a redesign of read receipts with icons replacing words (sent, delivered, and read).
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From 2016–2019, the Google Trips app made for a great little utility that grouped together travel details and stored everything offline. Some of that functionality lived on in google.com/travel after the Android and iOS client was deprecated, but trip summaries are now going away this year.
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Following yesterday’s Pro leak, renders of the Pixel 8 have now emerged and show a similarly rounded design, but without the new camera bar sensor.
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YouTube announced last month that podcasts are coming to YouTube Music, and we’re now seeing the Android app add the necessary support with version 5.48.
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With this month’s March Feature Drop, Google finally rolled out Cross Device Timers on Pixel phones. At a Glance is now readying a pair of location proximity features when you’re near an airport or transit station.
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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:
As teased last year, YouTube TV today announced “Multiview” to let you watch up to 4 games simultaneously.
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Google Health today hosted its annual The Checkup Up event with announcements spanning Search, Fitbit Health Metrics, AI, and developer tools.
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Almost a month before Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hit theaters, a Google Doc appeared on Reddit with what appeared to be the full dialogue of the film. Marvel has now subpoenaed Google and Reddit to help find the leaker.
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Announced last month, changes to Google Workspace pricing, including a price increase, are coming into effect from tomorrow onwards.
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After a week-long delay, Google today is rolling out Android 13 QPR2 with the March security patch and the first Pixel Feature Drop of 2023.
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Android 13 QPR2 introduces a number of fixes for both the Pixel 7 series and older supported Google phones.
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The Google Home app Public Preview is set to get a number of features before it more widely launches. The ability to reorder devices in Google Home’s Favorites tab is now starting to roll out for those in the beta program.
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