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.
Google’s push to optimize first-party apps for large screen Android devices and the Pixel Tablet continues with a handful of updates for Chrome that rolled out in recent months.
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Announced just over five years ago, Google Family Link is getting a redesign that offers a streamlined experience for parents by bringing controls to the forefront, as well as Material You and a web app.
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Even before the addition of Chat and Meet, Gmail preferences have been unwieldy on mobile. Google has now rolled out a redesign of Gmail settings on iOS that will hopefully make its way to Android.
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Google launched the Pixel 7 series with two features listed as “coming soon.” The free “VPN by Google One” is one aspect of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro’s security tentpole, and it’s set to come in December.
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Overshadowed by the Pro’s EQ update, Google last week started rolling out a firmware update to Pixel Buds A-Series.
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At Advertising Week New York, YouTube made a series of announcements on new marketing tools available on the platform. Most notably, YouTube continues its embrace of podcasts with 30-second audio ads.
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Before announcing its new Pro 6E model, Google in September rolled out the latest 22Q2 update to the Google and Nest Wifi.
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A minor update to Fitbit for iPhone is rolling out today, but the bigger change is that the smartwatch and fitness tracker companion app is now published under Google’s App Store account.
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As promised with the announcement of the “Wellness Edition” last week, Fossil is beginning to roll out the Wear OS 3 update to its Gen 6 watches today.
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After launching on the cheaper HD model earlier this month, Android 12 is now rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV 4K released in 2020.
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In talking with Google and learning more about the Pixel Tablet, my biggest takeaway is that pulling double duty as an Assistant Smart Display will be its path to success. It all comes down to execution, which of course is harder said than done given that Google basically tried with Assistant Ambient Mode two years ago. Meanwhile, Apple is rumored to be right behind the Pixel Tablet and following the same strategy for the iPad.
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YouTube is Google’s latest app to add iPhone and iPad homescreen widgets with one of them in particular providing very convenient shortcuts.
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For the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, Google introduced a new “Feathers” background collection but also removed the “Horizon” live wallpaper for some reason.
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After debuting on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the latest version (7.3) of Google Clock is widely rolling out with a pair of appreciable usability tweaks.
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Earlier this week, Google announced cloud gaming Chromebooks in a big push with one of the tentpoles being a $399 120Hz ChromeOS laptop from Lenovo, which is now available from Walmart.
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Following a look at several upcoming features last month, Google is redesigning how individual Search results appear on mobile with site names and larger favicons.
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Google is wrapping up the rollout of its iOS 16 Lock Screen widgets with Maps and Search for a total of six updated iPhone applications.
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Google previewed a Play Store tablet, foldable, and large screen redesign at I/O in May, and the most important aspect of it is coming in 2023.
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As teased, Google Fiber announced today that it is launching 5 and 8 Gig service in early 2023. It continues a competitive ramp of activity and development from the Alphabet ISP in recent months.
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The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are the first devices to run Google Camera 8.7 and there are a handful of functional and visual changes.
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With the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro launching today, Google has published the Android 13 factory images for customers that have already received the phones.
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Following “Wear OS System UI” and “Services,” “Google Pixel Watch Faces” is the latest app for the new wearable released to the Play Store.
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The Pixel Watch is launching with an extensive band and face collection, and Google has delightfully created a pairing guide of sorts.
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Back in 2018, Google introduced a customizable Search widget and is now making those personalization options more apparent by supporting the changes introduced in Android 12+.
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