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.
At the end of August, Google delayed its wide-scale office return to early 2022. That is now being pushed back again and a new date will be determined at the start of next year.
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Previewed in October and officially announced yesterday, YouTube Music’s new “Recent Played” widget is now available on Android 12.
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Over the years, Google has made several attempts to release a wearable that can compete with the Apple Watch. New Pixel Watch rumors today provide additional details.
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Back in October, Google added a Bluetooth-based auto-launch for its Android Auto replacement. The latest way to launch Google Assistant Driving Mode is through a simple homescreen shortcut.
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Over the past year, Google listings have gained more attributes and details to better let potential customers learn about a place before visiting. Google Maps, as well as Search, is now letting healthcare providers identify which insurance they accept.
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Back in May, YouTube started testing “Listening controls” that looked to bring a dedicated music player to the main app for Premium subscribers. This UI is now widely rolled out for all videos.
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After announcing its flagship mobile and gaming processor, Qualcomm today unveiled the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 for “entry-tier” Chromebooks.
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In addition to the latest smartphone and laptop SoCs, Qualcomm today announced the “Snapdragon G3x Gen 1” as a “purpose-built” Android gaming chip that will debut on a handheld developer kit built by Razer.
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Google will release the first Android 12L Beta sometime this month. Until then, those with the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro can install Android 12L Developer Preview 1.
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Following Gmail last week, Play Books, Google Photos, and YouTube Music are set to get new widgets on Android.
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Back at I/O, Google announced that Android 12 will let you unlock compatible vehicles with just your phone. Digital car key support for locking/unlocking and starting vehicles is going live for the Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S21 lines from today.
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There was no YouTube Rewind in 2020, and the Google company announced in October that the series was coming to an end entirely. That said, YouTube is still doing various “top” video lists for 2021.
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While the YouTube Music web app is undoubtedly more feature-complete than the Android TV experience housed in the main app, it still lacks native Cast integration. That fortunately appears to be changing.
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Qualcomm’s next chip for flagship smartphones in 2022 is the “Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.” It’s the first chip to use the company’s new branding and naming system.
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Chrome OS 96 is rolling out today with a number of enhancements focused on the camera and other general app upgrades. Version 95 was skipped as part of the transition to updates every four weeks, while an LTS version for Chromebooks is now offered.
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At I/O 2021 in May, Google unveiled Project Starline has a conferencing booth that can capture and display realistic 3D video. The company today shared more technical details about the effort and how it surpasses 2D calls.
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Every fall, the latest Google Camera features debut on the flagship Pixel before rolling out to older phones. Version 8.4 of Camera now looks to be rolling out to older Google devices with changes that first debuted on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
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With the Pixel 2, the Pixel Launcher was revamped to place the search field at the bottom of your screen. Four years later, the Google app looks to be readying something similar with a bottom Search bar redesign.
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Google Voice is primarily a Workspace service at this point with new features focused on enterprise usage. That said, Google today updated Voice for Android with fairly straightforward app shortcuts.
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With Android Automotive, you can control more car capabilities with just your voice. Google recently found a bug that prevented the Assistant in Android Automotive from calling emergency services and is now rolling out a fix.
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Assistant Snapshot carries forward the legacy of Google Now, though its prominence is diminished compared to the previous feed. Its standing might be further de-prioritized following a pair of worrisome changes to Snapshot in the Google app and Assistant.
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Google started showing 3D animals in Search last year but has since expanded to a whole host of AR objects covering space, science, and athletes. The latest expansion sees Google Search add 3D monuments.
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As December approaches, it’s time for annual recaps, and Google Play is ready with the best Android apps and games of 2021. These lists — including Users’ Choice — are localized, and you can browse your country by tapping the “Best of 2021” banner at the top of the Play Store.
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In the second half of next year, a handful of existing smartwatches that run Google’s operating system will get updated to Wear OS 3 based on Android 11. Ahead of that, Google has rolled out a new “System updates” screen for Wear OS.
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