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.
As previewed at the start of this month, Google Meet (Duo) is rolling out an account switcher, but it’s getting a navigation drawer in the process.
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Last Friday, some Pixel Buds Pro owners got a quicker way to change Active Noise Control on their Pixel phones. This faster way to change the Pixel Buds Pro’s ANC settings are now more widely rolling out and extend to the volume menu on Android 13.
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While there are more and more premium Chrome OS devices, the category very much excels at the cheaper end of the market. When buying those Chromebooks next year, you might notice that it will be running an “Intel Processor” instead of Pentium or Celeron.
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Beginning in 2020, some Google apps on iOS added a “Privacy Screen” that requires Touch or Face ID authentication to access. Chrome for Android is now getting the ability to lock your Incognito tabs behind your fingerprint.
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Ahead of expected announcements later this month, Google has made a tweak to Lens that allows users to launch a specific filter immediately.
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YouTube Shorts are a big focus for the video platform and Google wants to make it easier for businesses to create vertical video ads.
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In recent months, “Google Workspace” branding has been appearing on more Android splash screens, and Google Keep is now the latest example.
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The steady stream of leaks about the new “Chromecast with Google TV (HD)” continues today with rumored US pricing and a series of marketing images.
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Music is a big part of vertical Shorts, and YouTube is now rolling out a new integration between the two.
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Just last week, the Nest Hub Max was updated with another way to skip “Hey Google.” This currently only works for certain commands, but Google Assistant will eventually let you make custom Quick Phrases.
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Google Photos is rolling out a number of updates to Memories, like sharing, while Android and iOS is also getting an advanced collage editor.
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With the Sense 2 and Versa 4, Fitbit debuted a new UI for its smartwatches that’s nearly identical to stock Wear OS 3 and, therefore, the Pixel Watch.
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Working with The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) and the Asian American Federation, Google wants to “provide security devices and resources to AAPI-owned small businesses” in the form of Nest Cam Kits.
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As it did last year, Google Japan is hyping the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with potato chips that highlight this generation’s color options.
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Last week, Google announced that it was optimizing widgets for Android tablets. The updated Google Drive widget is now rolled out with an interesting circle design that’s new for Material You.
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Google was rumored to be working on a Tensor-powered Pixelbook for release in 2023, but this Chromebook has now been canceled.
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The Android 13 September update for the Pixel 6a is rolling out today with under-display fingerprint sensor (UDFPS) improvements after being delayed at the start of this month.
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With iOS 16 launching for the iPhone today, Google is detailing upcoming Lock Screen widgets across six major apps set to arrive over the coming weeks.
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For the past several versions, Android has let you quickly rotate with a shortcut that appears at the corner of the screen. Android 13 QPR1 makes the smallest of tweaks by making the rotate button bigger.
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Just under a year ago, Google announced that it will be “launching a 2nd generation of Nest Doorbell (wired) in 2022.” Ahead of the October 6 event, which will feature smart home products, the latest version of the Google Home app reveals the new wired Nest Doorbell in its (visual) entirety.
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The drip of new Google Keep features continues today with a “dual pane” view on Android tablets and foldables.
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In addition to confirming “Tensor G2” branding as part of announcing the October 6 event, Google on Tuesday fully exhibited the six color options for the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro.
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Following Snapchat back in March, YouTube Music is rolling out the ability to share songs and other works (with cover art) to Instagram Stories.
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Rather surprisingly, the Pixel 6 is no longer available for purchase from the Google Fi store, while the MVNO variant is not consistently in stock at the US Google Store.
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