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.
After rolling out Chromecast support, Google announced at CES 2023 that Android’s media output switcher will support Spotify Connect as it pushes more cross-device experiences.
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At CES 2023 today, Citizen announced its second-generation Wear OS watch. Besides a slightly more mechanical/traditional look, Citizen is trying to differentiate the CZ Smart on the health front.
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This time last year, HP undoubtedly announced the flagship ChromeOS device. At CES 2023, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is taking things a step further.
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ChatGPT has prompted some to proclaim that AI chat will kill traditional search engines. Google is said to be at “code red” over the technology, while a new report today says Microsoft is “preparing to launch a version of its Bing search engine that uses the artificial intelligence behind ChatGPT to answer some search queries.”
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After rolling out the January 2023 update for the Pixel 7 this morning, Google has detailed what’s fixed and added, as well as listing other currently supported phones.
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At launch, Google said Pixel Watch Fall Detection is “coming this winter,” and it’s now beginning to appear on some devices.
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The year in Pixel updates gets underway today with the Android 13 January security patch for the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7 and 7 Pro.
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Following the Pixel Tablet leak last month, a 49-second hands-on has emerged today of a device alleged to be the Pixel 7a.
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To follow the Wear OS-powered version, Fossil is announcing the Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition at CES 2023.
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Per Verizon, the next Google Pixel update with the January security patch is rolling out tomorrow.
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I’ve always found Fitbit’s fitness trackers to be more interesting than its smartwatches. As Wear OS inevitably takes over, I hope the tracker form factor is kept alive. To do so, however, Fitbit must support multiple devices being active at the same time.
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The Motorola MA1 was announced at CES 2022 and quickly went out of stock at Amazon and other retailers. This Motorola-branded wireless Android Auto adapter is now available again to buy from Amazon.
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Back in October, YouTube rolled out a big redesign across its mobile apps and the web. YouTube for Android is now testing a more subtle video progress bar that isn’t red all the time.
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While it’s up to the market to prove (or disprove) Google’s belief that Android Tablets are the “future of computing,” the other big obstacle comes from within the company. Chromebooks can very much compete for that mantle, with Android and ChromeOS once again converging in functionality and use case.
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With Android 13, Google began work on a predictive back gesture to “let users preview the destination or other result of a back gesture before fully completing it,” and you can now preview it with the Phone app on Pixel.
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After adding Wi-Fi and cellular network switching, Google Voice is introducing a “Suspected spam caller” label on the incoming call screen.
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Following its big NFL Sunday Ticket deal, YouTube TV’s referral program is back and even more aggressive than the original January push.
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In recent weeks, Fitbit has delivered sizable updates to its latest trackers that probably should have been included at launch. Curiously, the Fitbit Sense 2 is currently unavailable for purchase from Amazon.
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The other change Google is making to Nearby Share are UI tweaks that infuse Material You to the main sheet you interact with.
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Google announced its last Chromebook in 2019 alongside the Pixel 4 and 4 XL. With the company likely not making a new Chromebook anytime soon, the US Google Store has stopped selling the Pixelbook Go.
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While Fossil has rolled out Wear OS 3 to its Gen 6 devices, the Group’s other brands are still waiting for updates. The Falster Gen 6 could be getting Wear OS 3 soon as the Skagen Smartwatches companion app was just updated with support.
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In October of 2020, Google discontinued the Nest Secure, but promised to keep supporting the alarm system. Over two years later, Brinks Home has announced that it will stop offering professional monitoring services for the Nest Secure in late 2023.
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Starting in 2023, Fitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features. As part of transitioning to a single account system, Fitbit.com is losing support for Google sign-in.
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In purchasing Nuvia last year, Qualcomm gained significant CPU talent and the first products based on this technology are expected in 2023. Before Qualcomm made the winning $1.4 billion acquisition, Google and other tech companies were also interested in buying.
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