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.
As Google’s biggest show of the year, every I/O brings a ton of news. However, the stakes for I/O 2023 seem bigger, with announcements that could more thoroughly change how people use Google’s biggest products.
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We’ve known that the first Wear OS watch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip would be from Mobvoi since July. A nearly complete leak of the TicWatch Pro 5 has now emerged.
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Last year, Google Docs on the web added emoji reactions, and now they’re coming to comments, which is an equally useful addition.
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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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Podcasts in YouTube Music officially launched in the US yesterday, and playback is supported by the Wear OS app.
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After getting a glimpse of Coral yesterday, the first live images of the Arctic Blue Pixel 7a are now here.
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Google News for Android is the latest first-party app to get a Material You redesign, as well as tablet and large screen optimizations.
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Besides podcasting support, Youtube Music has been rolling out several quality-of-life improvements lately. A general YouTube Music sleep timer is now rolling out.
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After seeing the Pixel 7a in Arctic Blue, Carbon, and Cotton, we now have a look at the 2023 mid-ranger in a really bold coral/orange.
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If what has emerged pans out, Fitbit’s “new app design” is a bit on the minor side and not the Material You revamp we’ve been waiting for. While we wait for that, here’s what the Material You team thinks modern Fitbit widgets would look like.
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Following the February announcement and March testing, podcasts are now officially rolling out to YouTube Music users in the US.
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In addition to the session list this morning, Google has shared more about I/O 2023, including how there will be a new “I/O Adventure Chat” virtual experience and in-person I/O Connect developer events in other cities.
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With I/O 2023 two weeks away, Google this morning posted the initial session list, including “What’s new.” There will be “over 200 sessions and other learning material.”
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Teased last year, Google Photos is rolling out a new movie editor/creator for Chromebooks to give ChromeOS a iMovie-esque equivalent.
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Viewing the profiles/channels of non-artist users in YouTube Music today shows playlists that are set to public. In what could be a bid to make YouTube Music more social, you’re getting the option to make your listening stats public.
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Following the buggy initial release two weeks ago, Google is rolling out Android 14 Beta 1.1 to Pixel phones today.
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On Monday, Google Authenticator launched the ability to sync 2FA codes to your Google Account. It has since emerged that the capability isn’t end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), and Google explained why today.
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Alphabet reported Q1 2023 earnings this afternoon, and Sundar Pichai’s prepared remarks included a brief preview of Google I/O on May 10.
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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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Back in July, 2TB+ Google One tiers added premium Workspace features focused on video calling. Google Meet is now adding a 1080p streaming option as part of Google One and other paid Workspace tiers.
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Alphabet today announced Q1 2023 earnings with $69.8 billion in revenue. These numbers range from January to March.
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In recent years, Google has tweaked the menu bar in Docs to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. A prominent search bar is now coming to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
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Compared to Apple and Samsung, the Pixel Watch lacks power options beyond the singular Magnetic Charging Cable. That’s now changing, sort of, with Google Store Japan including a semi-official stand accessory with purchases of the Pixel Watch for a limited time.
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Following Android, ChromeOS is adding systemwide privacy toggles to enable/disable access to a Chromebook’s camera and microphone.
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