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.
The July security patch is rolling out to Pixel (4/XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, and 6 Pro) phones today in what should be one of — if not — the last Android 12 updates before the next major version of Google’s OS launches.
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Announced last month, Fitbit Sleep Profiles aim to provide a “longitudinal analysis of your sleep patterns” across 10 stats with a touch of whimsy. They are now rolling out, and here’s a look at what gets measured.
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Last month, we reported how Google Calendar was laying the groundwork to replace Assistant Reminders with Tasks. More details on how the Reminders-to-Google Tasks migration in Calendar should work are now available.
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Last month, Google updated At a Glance with flashlight reminders and Nest Doorbell alerts. The Pixel At a Glance widget could soon get a “Cross Device Timer” capability that integrates with Google Home.
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As announced a week ago, Google is now in the process of shutting down classic Hangouts for free consumers. Many users are finding that they can no longer access Hangouts for Android and iOS today.
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A big pain point of Google’s current streaming service for some is the lack of basic music-app features. Multi-select in list views has been one such absence, but YouTube Music is now rolling out that functionality.
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Google announced Material You for Gmail on the web this Thursday and it’s now starting to roll out. One notable addition that the company didn’t announce was the use of Google Sans.
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Following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, people have raised concerns about how sensitive health and location data could be used against them. Google today announced “additional steps [it’s] taking to protect user privacy around health issues,” including auto-deleting abortion clinic visits from Location History.
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At I/O 2022, Google announced it was updating over 20 of its first-party apps for Android tablets and other large screen form factors. Besides visual redesigns, this includes multitasking optimizations like the ability to drag images across apps, which Google Keep for Android now supports.
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Since the announcement at I/O, the only hands-on — all unofficial/early — of the Pixel 6a has been of the Charcoal model. Google today shared a quick, green photo of the Sorta Seafoam Pixel 6 against the Sage Pixel 6a.
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It’s no secret that smartphone games with in-app purchases (IAPs) are a revenue generator for both the developer and app stores. A Google Play Points promotion today highlights mobile gaming whales just a bit too much.
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Following two releases in June, One UI Watch 4.5 beta 3 is now available to address several Galaxy Watch 4 bugs, while a more official — and presumably final — look at Samsung’s Wear OS 3.5 update has emerged.
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With the March Feature Drop, Google announced that the Pixel’s At a Glance widget can deliver “reminders to turn off your alarm if the next day is a holiday.” Those reminders to change your alarm might work through Google Assistant.
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Wear OS 3 will start rolling out to existing Snapdragon Wear 4100+ devices in the “mid to second half of 2022,” and we’ve now learned that Fossil is building a companion app for its watches.
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Google this evening said it reached a proposed Play Store settlement with a group of US developers that would primarily establish a $90 million fund.
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As announced at I/O 2022, Google is optimizing its Android apps for tablets and other large screen devices. YouTube Music playlists have already seen a redesign and that UI is now coming to the album view.
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Google Workspace Individual was announced a year ago as an upgrade for one-person businesses that have been using @gmail.com accounts to run their companies. Subscribers will soon get access to eSignature support in Google Docs.
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Just before and right after the Pixel 6 Pro launch last year, there were signs that Google was working on face unlock. It obviously hasn’t launched, and this is the latest we’re hearing on the situation.
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In recent weeks, the Google Password Manager has seen a number of changes, and the company is making them (along with a few others) official today.
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Google today announced a one-year extended repair program for the Pixel 5a 5G and “certain display-related issues” in the US and Japan.
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After a false start yesterday, Google announced this evening that it’s rolling out a new firmware update for the Pixel Buds A-Series that addresses the Bass slider issue.
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In an unexpected development, Javier Soltero announced this evening that he’s leaving Google after nearly three years as head of Workspace and later consumer messaging.
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Google announced Fuchsia for the Nest Hub Max last week, and those on the preview program are starting to receive it. The only change is the addition of a Bluetooth menu in settings.
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Back in April, Google launched a “Switch to Android” iOS app that first worked with Pixel phones. Availability is now expanding to all Android 12 phones as Google makes its case for why iPhone users should switch.
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