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 the last update two weeks ago, the Google Store this morning got another homepage refresh to “Celebrate Earth Day,” as well as deals on Nest thermostats.
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Sunday night’s episode of Last Week Tonight tackles online data brokers, with John Oliver giving a good summary of the industry and its practices.
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Before the Pixel 6 was announced in October, two marketing leaks suggested the presence of Face Unlock. Such a feature has yet to launch, but we’ve previously reported that Google is still working on support. Meanwhile, a user that recently set up their Pixel 6 Pro spotted another reference to Face Unlock.
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YouTube started officially rolling out Picture-in-Picture to the iOS app last June and it’s been a very slow process. Premium subscribers were given a workaround, but YouTube’s PiP test for iPhone and iPad has now ended.
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Following the ability to set seconds-long delayed starts, Google has made another tweak to Assistant Routines that lets you rename these macros to be different from their starters.
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Google Fi is officially updating all three of its plans with some much-needed changes that make the service more competitive, with the two Unlimited offerings seeing the biggest improvements.
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Google is partnering with iFixit to make Pixel phone repairs easier by making genuine spare parts available online.
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Following last week’s preview of what new Meet features are coming soon, Google today introduced two usability tweaks. Google Meet can automatically exit a call when nobody else is around, while host management controls are getting centralized.
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Following the launch of the April security patch to stable Pixel users, Android 12 QPR3 Beta 2 is now available.
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One of the most interesting announcements at Google’s Search-focused keynote in September was a big upgrade to Lens that lets you take a photo and ask questions about it. “Multisearch” in Google Lens is now available to beta test on Android and iOS.
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Besides rolling out picture-in-picture to iOS, YouTube TV happens to be marking its fifth birthday by adding an equal number of new channels, with G4TV and The Weather Channel being the most notable.
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With every release, Android introduces new system-level security and privacy features that more times than not requires support from third-party apps. Google Play will soon hide older apps for new users to encourage developers to support the latest Android functionality.
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Desktop Chrome is getting a “step-by-step guided tour of some existing privacy and security controls” called Privacy Guide.
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Google announced in January that “G Suite legacy free edition” accounts would have to start paying for Workspace this year, but that’s now being slightly delayed. Meanwhile, those opting for the no-cost option will soon have to join a waiting list to avoid payments.
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When editing another person’s document, Google today lets you leave a comment or suggest edits. Google Docs on the web will soon support emoji reactions as a “less formal alternative to comments to express your opinions.”
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The TiVo Stream 4K, which Google sent out to more than a few subscribers last year, is getting deep integration with YouTube TV to boost its live offering.
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Following the Google for Games Dev Summit, April 2022 brings five four games to Stadia Pro in a slight decrease from the previous drop.
Google Maps is rolling out a trio of big updates over the coming weeks that add toll estimates and improve the navigation experience with a new map, while the iOS app is getting a series of additional integrations.
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Last year, Google introduced a new Bug Hunters platform to encompass all its Vulnerability Reward Programs. An expanded “Android and Google Devices Security Reward Program” now brings Nest and Fitbit into the fold with Pixel.
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Similar to last year, the April collection of “Curated Culture” wallpapers for Google Pixel celebrate Earth Day. Their availability coincides with the April security patch, but the actual day comes much later in the month.
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Last Thursday, the first users started to see “Connected devices” info for Bluetooth headphones appear at the top of the Pixel Launcher and on the lockscreen. Google is now rolling out an “Earthquake alert” warning to At a Glance.
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Following the ongoing removal of Assistant Snapshot on Android, the Google for iOS app looks to be adding a “Notifications” tab.
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Google Fiber has long made use of “Fiber Spaces” to let potential customers experience gigabit speeds before subscribing. The ISP is now turning to Google Fiber Kiosks located in malls to let customers “take care of business quickly.”
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Following last month’s two-week gap, the April’s security update is rolling out for the Pixel 6 on the same day as all other supported Google devices.
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