Team YouTube on Twitter is running a poll this afternoon on “what feature do you want the most on ad-supported” YouTube Music.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube Music poll lets you vote on what free feature you most want [U]
Author
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.
Fitbit’s 2022 year in review highlights global health stats
At the end of every year, Fitbit aggregates anonymized user data to release global health stats, and the 2022 year in review is now available.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Citizen’s 2nd-gen CZ Smart is Wear OS at its best [Gallery]
Compared to phones and tablets, Android on watches — until very recently — has offered a pretty universal experience. Wear OS 3 changed that, especially Samsung, but we’re now seeing a more interesting level of customization with the 2nd-gen CZ Smart from Citizen.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS 3 launch has led to 3x boost in active Google-powered watches
In addition to Android and Spotify Connect integration and Auto news, Google at CES 2023 shared a few stats, including how “there are now over three times as many active Wear OS devices” since Wear OS 3 launched.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto redesign rolling out and getting WhatsApp calling with Pixel, Samsung
After entering public beta in November, Google is rolling out Android Auto’s split-screen redesign into stable starting today (January 5).
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid getting Spotify Connect support in media switcher and cross-device switching
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.
Expand Expanding CloseCitizen’s 2nd-gen Wear OS watch has CZ Smart ‘self-care advisor’ and starts at 41mm
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.
Expand Expanding CloseHP announces the even more premium Dragonfly Pro Chromebook with all USB-C, RGB keyboard
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.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: Microsoft bringing ChatGPT capabilities into Bing to counter Google Search
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.”
Expand Expanding ClosePixel 7 gets seven fixes and additions with January 2023 update
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.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch Fall Detection starts appearing for some
At launch, Google said Pixel Watch Fall Detection is “coming this winter,” and it’s now beginning to appear on some devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 with January security patch live, download Pixel OTA image now
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.
Expand Expanding CloseBrief Pixel 7a hands-on leak reveals 90Hz screen, bezels, & design tweaks
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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Fossil announces Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition for $229
To follow the Wear OS-powered version, Fossil is announcing the Gen 6 Hybrid Wellness Edition at CES 2023.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Pixel January 2023 update on Tuesday
Per Verizon, the next Google Pixel update with the January security patch is rolling out tomorrow.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit supporting multiple devices would be a win-win for Google and users alike
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.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola MA1 in stock at Amazon [Update: $30 off]
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.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube for Android rolling out a video progress bar that isn’t always red
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.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid tablets and Chromebooks are on another crash course – will it be different this time?
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.
Expand Expanding CloseYou can test Android 13’s predictive back gesture on Pixel with these Google apps
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Voice call screen getting ‘Suspected spam caller’ warning
After adding Wi-Fi and cellular network switching, Google Voice is introducing a “Suspected spam caller” label on the incoming call screen.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV referral program returns with big boost, bill credit now up to $450
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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Fitbit Sense 2 curiously unavailable and delisted from Amazon
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle rolling out Material You tweaks to Nearby Share on Android [Gallery]
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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