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.
We’re still waiting for the stable release of Android 13 QPR2, but ahead of that, Google provided an update today on how to leave the Beta Program without needing to wipe your device. The company today also shared that the Android 13 QPR3 Beta is starting next week.
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Google officially announced Fast Pair for Chromebooks in January of 2022, and it’s now rolling out with ChromeOS 111.
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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:
A Google TV homescreen revamp was announced at the end of February, and it’s now rolling out with new Quick Settings in tow.
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Pocket Casts offered a watch client back in the Android Wear era and is now actively working on a Wear OS app.
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Last June, Google News got a desktop redesign, and the “Your topics” feature has now added 60 new topics for you to choose from and customize your homepage with.
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Following Messages, Google TV, and Google Search, the Play Store is the latest app to get a Material You Google Account switcher.
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Google announced a “Single note” widget at the end of last month for Keep on Android, and it’s now widely rolling out.
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In 2015, Google introduced a Cleanup Tool designed to find and delete unwanted software (UwS) that might impact your browsing experience. Google is now removing the Chrome Cleanup Tool.
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The last time Google added favicons to desktop Search in early 2020 there was an uproar, but the company is now rolling out a new design.
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Following last month’s launch, Android 14 Developer Preview 2 is rolling out today before beta releases start in April.
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Google phones have literally been spotted on planes, trains, and automobiles ahead of their official unveiling. The latest example of this are blurry shots of what’s possibly a Pixel Fold, thus making this the first live leak.
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Android 14 Developer Preview 2 is rolling out now ahead of next month’s first beta. It continues work on a number of tentpoles with more capabilities taking shape in this release.
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After adding Magic Eraser last month, Google One is significantly expanding the availability of its VPN and introducing dark web monitoring for stolen information.
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In addition to Material 3 actively rolling out to Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Google Trends is now the latest first-party website to get a redesign.
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As part of the LaMDA announcement in May of 2021, Google cited Assistant, Search, and Workspace as products where it hopes to “incorporat[e] better conversational features.” A new report today looks into Google’s reluctance to launch and incorporate LaMDA into products before OpenAI and Microsoft.
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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 literal input/output puzzle this morning, Google has announced that I/O 2023 is taking place Wednesday, May 10.
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The January security patch already introduced support for static spatial audio on the latest Pixel phones. Google is now rolling out the Pixel Buds Pro update that enables spatial audio with head tracking.
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Google today detailed its “key 2023 initiatives” for the Play Store and Android. Meanwhile, the company is hosting #TheAndroidShow on Thursday with a focus on large screens, foldables, and Jetpack Compose.
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Google’s usual window for the Pixel Feature Drop came and went this morning without a release, but details of the March 2023 update have now leaked out.
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In the latest example of a late Google Play system update, the February 2023 patch for Pixel phones is just rolling out today after having missed its original month.
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Historically, Google updates its Pixel phones on the first Monday of the month at 10 a.m. PT. That’s today, but there’s no March update yet in an unexpected delay for Google Pixel.
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From layoffs to not paying bills, Twitter has been on a cost-cutting drive since the Elon Musk acquisition. The latter has resulted in lawsuits from landlords and vendors, though one partner Twitter is not antagonizing is Google.
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