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.
With the Pixel 11 launch, Google promised a big Pixel Buds update in September. We’re now starting to see Gemini audio controls with the latest Pixel Buds companion app update.
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In 2024, Google introduced Gems as “custom versions of Gemini.” The Gemini app will soon replace Gems with “skills.”
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Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
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With Liquid Glass now a year old, Google apps on iOS are beginning to incorporate the translucent material alongside its Material 3 Expressive design language.
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Following yesterday’s announcement, Google Health 5.09 is rolling out with support for the new Health Guardian features on the Pixel Watch.
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The Android Dev Summit is returning in 2026 after Google’s last focused developer conference in 2022. Additionally, the agenda comes with a mention of Android 18.
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Following the long-press menu, Google Messages is widely rolling out new ways to access timestamps and direct replies.
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Following last month’s icon update, Pixel Weather is getting a slightly more substantial update with a refresh button for the homescreen widget.
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Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6 is now available for Pixel devices, barely a week after Beta 5 launched.
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Following the version 2.0 update rolling out earlier this week, Google is now beginning to launch the Pixel VIPs widget redesign announced in the September Feature Drop.
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Create My Widget will debut in early October on Googlebooks. Ahead of that, a Play Store listing details what the interface will look like, including on Android phones.
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Google today announced a trio of new study-focused Chrome features, with the most notable being how the browser will now save scroll position when you send tabs between devices.
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As previewed during last month’s Pixel Watch 5 launch, Google is now starting to roll out blood pressure trends, insulin resistance trends, and sleep breathing quality metrics.
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Google Photos is rolling out a handful of new features, including a Redact Markup tool and “Moods” on Android.
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Following Direct My Call and Hold for Me, Google is introducing “Call for Me” on the Pixel 11 series.
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Google today announced the latest expansion of its 3D meeting booths, including a partnership that brings Google Beam to co-working spaces in the US.
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At Made on YouTube 2026 today, YouTube announced a slew of new features. We’ve highlighted the capabilities that will impact the viewer experience over the coming months.
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As part of Made on YouTube 2026, a handful of updates to YouTube Music that are coming later this year were previewed.
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Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 to power the next generation of Android smartphones.
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Following last week’s Feature Drop, Pixel VIPs 2.0 is beginning to roll out, and it brings more changes than just the widget redesign.
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An overwhelming sense of familiarity struck me the first time I used a Googlebook. That was immediately followed by a realization that this is just Android, and I think that feeling of similarity will go a long way in justifying and ultimately selling Googlebooks.
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Following the May preview, Google today fully announced Googlebooks ahead of the consumer launch in October.
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This month’s stable release of Android 17 QPR1 comes with some unexpected status bar icon changes on Pixel.
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After rolling out Live search and chat earlier this month, Gmail now has a useful “Copy code” button for 2FA on Android and iOS.
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