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.
In removing support for 32-bit apps, old games are one of the more surprising app losses reported by Pixel 7 owners, but the Google Store — of all places — is trying to make things up with “Shopper Hopper.”
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In addition to an updated icon, Google Messages has a new “sent” sound that more people are now encountering on Android.
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With the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro out in the world, attention now turns to the next Google launches in 2023. Besides the rumored “Pixel Fold,” the Pixel 7a is also expected, and renders today reveal more of the same.
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The first post-Android 12 update is rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV 4K today, and it brings devices to the October 2022 security patch level.
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In the lead up to the Pixel Watch, several first-party apps were overhauled and launched to invigorate Wear OS, and Google is planning to continue that momentum with Gmail and Calendar.
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A lawsuit by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and seven states today alleges that radio ads for the Pixel 4 featured “made up testimonials by radio personalities.”
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Android 13 is more widely rolling out on Samsung tablets and follows Android 12L earlier this year. The taskbar was that update’s biggest addition, and we hoped to see more tablet UIs — namely a two-column notification shade and lockscreen — but that’s not the case with Samsung’s Android 13 update.
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While the Wi-Fi model is on sale at all retailers, the LTE Pixel Watch has stubbornly remained at $399.99 this holiday season. The first discount for the LTE Pixel Watch is now here.
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Google did a good job providing a range of default watch faces on the Pixel Watch. Having lived with the first-generation wearable for an extended period, we have some design thoughts and improvements in mind.
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One constant between Android Wear to Wear OS 3 is the lack of dedicated Gmail or Google Calendar applications on watches. Amid the flurry of new devices and hardware advancements, it’s increasingly worthwhile for Google to rethink its reliance on rich notifications for key actions.
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Improved Gmail search is an evergreen user request, and Google last introduced better search suggestions courtesy of updated ML models. Gmail is now using recent searches to improve results in the web app.
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After adding support for the Android 13 media player last month, Pocket Casts is now letting you customize what actions appear in the notification.
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Cheap streaming dongles are found everywhere — often in bins near checkout lines — during the holiday shopping season. In what I can only assume is an attempt to stand out, you can now buy a bundle that includes the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and a Stranger Things toy.
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The Pixel Watch has a good number of default complications out of the box, but the one for “Sunset and sunrise” has broken for most, if not all, users.
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After testing new delivered/read indicators and a photo picker redesign, Google Messages is beginning to roll out full emoji reactions for some users.
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As promised, Google has rolled out an update for low Nest Wifi Pro speeds with PPPoE settings, while an issue with the Home app’s built-in speed test has been identified.
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Long before the launch of Primetime Channels in the main app, YouTube TV let you directly subscribe to other streaming services, and it’s now offering a free HBO Max and Cinemax preview.
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YouTube is already a big home to podcasts, and the Google platform is slowly working to provide a more optimized experience. An official “Podcasting on YouTube” guide has now been released with best practices.
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A month after release, Fitbit is rolling out the first Sense 2 and Versa 4 update today with a trio of welcome features.
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The first Pixel Watch app update has widely rolled out at this point, with Google last week sharing a few other community updates, including future transit card support.
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Homescreen widgets have seen a new resurgence in the past year with Android 12+, and Shazam has just revamped theirs to be more than just a shortcut that opens the app.
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Fitbit is partially down this afternoon with server and/or sync issues that result in missing stats and the inability to log in to accounts.
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Over the past few years, Google has been transitioning to Android App Bundles as part of modernizing development practices. In May of 2023, App Bundles that support archiving will be required for Android/Google TV devices.
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The Twitter upheaval has affected everyone from end users to advertisers and brands. It will be interesting to see where the latter group lands, but Google — via its Search Liaison account — now has an official presence on Mastodon.
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