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 “scammers go into overdrive during the holiday season,” Gmail’s latest AI-powered protections have resulted in “35% fewer scams (phishing, malware, etc.) hitting inboxes.”
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Introduced with the Pixel 8a in May, Audio Emoji continues to see updates, like seasonal animations, with Google now testing a more prominent access point in the Phone app.
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Instagram for Android is taking advantage of Android’s Camera Extensions API to power a “Night Mode” on the latest Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones.
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Fitbit introduced Cardio Load and Target Load with the Pixel Watch 3, and the metrics are now rolling out to the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2, as well as Fitbit smartwatches and trackers.
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Following Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental in the past week, Google is now letting Gemini Advanced customers access a new 2.0 Experimental Advanced model.
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Google first introduced its Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy in March of 2023, and an update today aims to simplify the list of what isn’t allowed for Gemini and other first-party tools.
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After adding Pixel Screenshots “Save” integration, Circle to Search is updating its shimmer animation to use the four Google colors.
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In early 2021, the Google Play Store rolled out a Nearby Share-powered method for sending apps on your device to others. This feature is soon going away.
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A new version of Google Play services on Wear OS will see watches download updates using Wi-Fi and cellular networks instead of Bluetooth.
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Google today is rolling out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices.
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Before the year winds down, Google is rolling out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices.
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As previewed last month, the Google Home app is rolling out Member access with the Public Preview program.
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Google today announced Veo 2, as well as updates to Imagen 3 and a new Whisk experiment that showcases the latest model and Gemini.
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Files by Google has rolled out a new PDF viewer after previously relying on Google Drive.
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As promised last week, Google is rolling out access to Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental in the Android app.
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Google’s integrated “Saved” feature now lets you search your web and Discover bookmarks, as well as locations placed in Google Maps lists.
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Announced alongside December’s Pixel Feature Drop, Google Drive is rolling out automatic “Enhance” to its mobile document scanner.
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Google is testing a Material 3 redesign of the Discover feed to the left of Android homescreens and in the Google app.
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Google is starting to roll out a fullscreen account switcher in its first-party apps, starting with Gmail for Android.
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The latest round of Pixel Audio Emoji celebrates Christmas and the New Year, while the broader Phone by Google app is testing a more prominent video calling shortcut.
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Welcome to episode 34 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Android XR on headsets and glasses.
Google Chat is getting a highly-requested feature with automatic translations, while a handful of tweaks are coming to @mentions.
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With the main YouTube app replacing YouTube Kids on televisions this year, Google is adding a new “parent code” lock.
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With the December 2024 Feature Drop, Pixel Camera 9.7 is rolling out “Quick access controls.”
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