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.
Following Camera for Wear OS last month, Google Keep is rolling out a Material You redesign that modernizes the app and joins its just-added Tile for faster note-taking.
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Google celebrates its inception every year on September 27 and marks it internationally with deals on first-party hardware. The Google Store’s 24th birthday sale is now live in Asia.
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Despite being available for most of the beta period, Google pulled unified Pixel Launcher search with the Android 13 stable launch, but it’s now starting to come back with QPR1 Beta 1.
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Back in April, we reported that the Pixel 6 Pro was supposed to launch with Face Unlock, and we’ve since detailed Google’s continued development of the capability. Android 13 QPR1 reveals what the end user Pixel Face Unlock experience will be like.
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Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 includes an update to the Pixel’s Recorder app, with version 3.7 introducing a number of usability tweaks like support for the Android 13 media player.
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Google’s first preview of Android 13 QPR1 is now available and we are diving into the Beta 1 release to find what new features have been introduced.
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Since 2020, Google has hosted “Search On” to announce the latest features for its namesake product, and the 2022 event will take place in late September.
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Like last year, Google is continuing the Android 13 Beta Program with Quarterly Platform Releases, starting with QPR1 this September.
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Google Fi is rolling out a trio of updates today that are focused on the MVNO’s international experience when traveling, starting with Wi-Fi calling for iPhone subscribers.
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Google is continuing its Android tablet push with widgets optimized for large screens. The first tablet widgets are coming from Google Drive and Keep.
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Out of the gate in 2020, Nearby Share was aimed at sending pictures and videos with those around you. Google is now embracing nearby self-sharing across your own devices and will make that experience work more seamlessly.
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During an interesting session at the 2022 Code Conference with Jony Ive and Laurene Powell Jobs, Tim Cook said that Apple customers are apparently not asking for RCS support on the iPhone.
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After a quintet of channels in April, YouTube TV is now adding HSN (Home Shopping Network), while there’s currently a free preview of HBO Max and Cinemax through Friday. Additionally, YouTube TV now supports subscribing to select add-on channels without needing the Base Plan.
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In August of 2020, Google announced a $450 million partnership with ADT and is now committing another $150 million. Meanwhile, the security company is now partnering with insurance provider State Farm.
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Soon after Gmail received a Material You redesign on Android last year, the bottom bar was shrunk, and Google is now taking things a step further by removing the descriptive labels.
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Google primarily teased the Pixel 7, 7 Pro, and Watch in announcing its October 6 event this morning, but it will also introduce the “latest smart home devices from Nest.”
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Sundar Pichai talked with Kara Swisher at the 2022 Code Conference this evening in a wide-ranging interview that spanned productivity, competition, and M&A, while the Alphabet and Google CEO was seen wearing the Pixel Watch.
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Google Maps can now provide the “most fuel-efficient route” possible if you specify your car’s engine type, while eco-friendly routing is coming to all of Europe.
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Back in March, YouTube TV said surround sound would be coming to Apple TV, and today 5.1 audio is now available for that streaming box.
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Android 13 brings a rather sizable update to the end-user Work Profile experience and Android Enterprise management experience for IT administrators.
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After first debuting on the Pixel 6 last October, Quick Phrases are now available on the Nest Hub Max to skip the “Hey Google” hotword when issuing commands and asking questions to Assistant.
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Announced over three years ago at I/O 2019, Google today rolled out the final Pixel 3a and 3a XL update. May 2022 was officially the cut-off date for guaranteed Android version and security updates, but Pixel phones have historically gotten one more release after that.
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The first update to Android 13 after last month’s launch is rolling out today with the September security patch for the Pixel 4/XL, 4a, 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, and 6 Pro.
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Following last month’s launch, the first update to Android 13 is rolling out this September and addresses five issues for Pixel phones. Meanwhile, the Pixel 6a update won’t be arriving until later this month
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