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.
Besides detailing a new Virtual Carrier Network approach, Google Fi today also announced another way to get free service until the end of 2022 by buying a Pixel 6a, 7, or 7 Pro at Best Buy.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s Android feedback surveys continue with 13 QPR1 Beta 2 this afternoon. It comes a week after the preview build rolled out.
Expand Expanding Close
Google said it’s aiming for yearly Wear OS updates, but many experiences on its wearables are updated via the Play Store. The latest example of that is “Wear OS System UI” on the Pixel Watch.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to announcing initial Android and Chrome support, Google today detailed how passkeys on Android will sync to its Password Manager.
Expand Expanding Close
Following Samsung on its key foldables and tablets, Microsoft is the next OEM that we’re waiting on to launch Android 12L. Alongside other hardware announcements today, Android 12L was shown off for the Surface Duo 2 with design influences and customizations from Windows 11.
Expand Expanding Close
Google made its augmented reality (AR) work official at I/O 2022 in May, and is now using Glass Enterprise to test productivity-focused capabilities with the help of Workspace and Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides beginning to roll out passkey support on Android and Chrome, Google — for Cybersecurity Awareness Month — announced today that Fi now uses a Virtual Carrier Network (VCN) to keep cellular data anonymous on Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding Close
Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others in the industry want to replace website/app passwords with “passkeys” that just require you to unlock your device. Starting today, Android and Google Chrome will support signing in with passkeys.
Expand Expanding Close
The first-party Pixel Watch is the next biggest moment for Wear OS after last year’s Samsung partnership. The team responsible provided an update today on the state of the platform.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is rolling out an update (firmware version 3.14) to the Pixel Buds Pro that adds the promised full 5-band EQ, controls for the left/right balance, and unspecified bug fixes.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to a slew of Workspace updates at Cloud Next 2022, Google shared today that Project Starline is entering the “next phase of testing,” where more people outside the company can experience it.
Expand Expanding Close
Chromebooks are no longer just a category within the broader laptop form factor. ChromeOS-powered devices span from affordable to midrange and premium, as well as traditional notebooks, convertibles, and tablets. Google now wants to make cloud gaming Chromebooks happen in a rather bold (and literal) play.
Expand Expanding Close
At the Cloud Next 2022 developer and partner conference, Google is detailing the latest features coming to Workspace across Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Chat, and Docs.
Expand Expanding Close
When YouTube Music was updated to support the new Android 13 media controls, some complained about losing the ability to quickly like songs. The Google streaming service is now bringing back that functionality.
Expand Expanding Close
There’s a rather interesting thread by a software engineer who worked on Google Glass and Clips that discusses the “fatal flaws” of both, and the internal cultures that allowed the devices to ship.
Expand Expanding Close
After Samsung’s adoption last year, the upcoming Pixel Watch launch will serve as the next biggest catalyst for Wear OS as an app platform, and Google is explicitly making that case.
Expand Expanding Close
Version 2.89 of Google Fit is rolling out today with the ability to “Sync with Health Connect.” This follows support from Samsung Health, Sleep as Android, and Withings Health Mate.
Expand Expanding Close
Since I/O 2022, Google has been releasing large-screen-optimized UIs for its first-party apps. The latest Gboard beta is now rolling out an Android tablet layout that is long overdue and pretty good out of the gate.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Pixel did not release new Curated Culture wallpapers intended for September until earlier this month, while the October additions are now also available.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube announced the ubiquitous social network concept of “handles” today to boost the community aspects of the video site as well as improve creator/channel identification.
Expand Expanding Close
Google announced on Thursday that it’s making seven bands for the Pixel Watch, but that only five would be available at launch. Neither of the premium Pixel Watch bands are available until this spring, though pricing and specs for the Metal Links Band, as well as the Metal Mesh Band, are already live.
Expand Expanding Close
As part of the Pixel Watch rollout, Google has detailed that the Wear OS device will get “at least” three years of updates.
Expand Expanding Close
Besides sharing that the Pixel Tablet is powered by Tensor G2 and has a Charging Speaker Dock, Google showed more of the Android UI and several Smart Display-inspired screens.
Expand Expanding Close
The Pixel Watch has a 294 mAh (typical) battery that’s officially rated for “up to 24 hours,” with Google employing a number of software features to save battery life.
Expand Expanding Close