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.
Compared to its predecessors, the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 already lack music playback. Fitbit is now set to remove Pandora and Deezer from the Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, and other older devices in March.
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Back in November, we noticed how Health Connect was responsible for combining Fitbit heart rate and Nest Hub Sleep Sensing data. Google Fit is now showing Fitbit step, distance, and full heart rate data.
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As promised last week, Google is now letting you update the Stadia Controller to enable Bluetooth (Low Energy) support.
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In using the Pixel 7 since the October launch, one occasional issue some people have encountered is the Google device freezing and locking up when watching fullscreen YouTube.
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The latest beta version (1.5) of Digital Wellbeing is rolling out with one upcoming addition and the removal of an in-development feature.
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If checking the Pixel’s Security & privacy menu returns a “Google Account may be at risk” alert encouraging you to “Add a screen lock,” you’re not alone today.
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For the past few weeks, Samsung’s Android 13 update has resulted in the Fitbit Charge 5 and Luxe not being able to sync.
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In June of 2021, YouTube TV launched “4K Plus” with three key additions, but is now drastically discounting the monthly add-on for select subscribers.
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On Thursday evening, third-party Twitter clients stopped working in a move that many have come to conclude was intentional. A report now confirms that this was the case.
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Since its launch, Fast Pair has grown beyond Bluetooth headphones to smartwatches and Matter smart home devices. Fast Pair’s next device category looks to be the stylus ahead of the Pixel Tablet.
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Google this week invited K-12 students in the US to create a Doodle for its Search homepage. For 2023, the Doodle for Google theme is “I am grateful for…”
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ChromeOS 109 is rolling out over the next few days as a smaller update in terms of user-facing changes, though there are a handful of tweaks.
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Stadia is set to shut down on January 18, but Google is releasing one last game, and it’s technically a first-party title: Worm Game.
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In bringing Play Games to open beta last year, Google lowered the minimum specs requirement. The company is now providing a workaround for accessing the Play Games for PC beta on unsupported hardware.
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Pixel phones offer two lockscreen shortcuts that are locked to Google Wallet and Home, but Android 13 QPR2 reveals possible work on letting users change that.
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Google announced Project Relate in late 2021 as a way for people with speech impairments to create a personalized speech model. The Project Relate app is now seeing wider Play Store availability.
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As Google encourages Android developers to update their apps for large-screen form factors, the Play Store today is highlighting TikTok’s new landscape mode for tablets.
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Google — specifically “Nest Renew” — is partnering with Pivot Energy on a Community Solar program for those living in Colorado and Illinois.
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After a holiday season with only one discount, the LTE Pixel Watch is now $30 off at the Google Store and other US retailers.
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Following the release of aggregated global health stats last week, Fitbit is rolling out “Your 2022 year in review” and recap over email.
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To simplify backups, Google Photos has updated two terms related to the process across the mobile and web apps as well as in support documentation.
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Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 rolled out on Monday with only a handful of tweaks, and Google is now taking feedback from Pixel owners.
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Since August, Gboard has been working on a redesign of the Shortcuts toolbar. Development on that continues with the latest beta this week, while Google has decided to tweak the tablet UI.
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As previously teased, Google Maps for Wear OS now supports turn-by-turn navigation without needing a paired phone for LTE watch owners.
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