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 integrated Gmail web experience that combines Chat, Spaces, and Meet is due for a navigation redesign. Until then, Google is rolling out a slew of updates to the compose UI on the web client.
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Google’s remarkably handy and powerful Recorder app for Pixel phones is getting a Material You redesign. The new look was first shown off yesterday and rolling out now, while the tool now supports French, German, and Japanese on the Pixel 6.
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Starting next month, YouTube Music is getting free background listening in a major revamp of the streaming service’s ad-supported tier. As part of that, the YouTube Music app is going audio-only and will no longer play videos if you don’t pay for Premium.
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In teasing the Pixel 6 at the start of August, Google very much framed the preview around its first custom-built System on a Chip (SoC). At the Pixel Fall Event today, Google fully detailed Tensor and called it the “biggest mobile hardware innovation in the history of the company.”
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After the latest update to the Google Home app, we’re still waiting for a Material You redesign, but version 2.45 now lets you set an 8-hour Wifi priority increment.
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Just over two weeks after Android 12 hit open source, Google this morning rolled out the stable version of Android 12 to existing Pixel owners. That event would normally mark the end of a release’s Android Beta Program, but Google is continuing it this year.
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Android 12 is rolling out now to current Pixel phones, and Google took the Pixel 6 launch as an opportunity to preview more Material You widgets from major first-party apps.
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With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google is following up last year’s “Hold for Me” with new “Direct My Call” and “Wait Times” capabilities in the Phone dialer app.
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Since launching in 2019, the new Google Assistant (NGA) has let users issue commands much faster in a back-to-back, as well as offline, manner. The Pixel 6 brings that capability to Gboard for an “Assistant voice typing” experience that is an appreciable upgrade.
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After three developer previews, five betas, and the AOSP release, Android 12 is ready to launch on Pixel phones as Google’s biggest mobile OS release in recent memory. The new Material You design language is a defining aspect of this Android version that spans every screen and interaction. The other big highlights are more privacy and security controls.
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Alongside the new phones, Google today is launching Android 12 for current Pixel devices. In addition to Material You, revamped Quick Settings, and a slew of other Android 12 additions, it features the October security patch. If it hasn’t rolled out to your device yet, Google just posted the official OTA and factory images.
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At the Pixel Launch Event, Google fully detailed the Pixel 6 Pro after weeks of pre-unveils and teases. All the expected flagship specifications were confirmed, while pricing and availability is now official.
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Later today, Google will conclude 11 weeks of teasing and fully detail its highly anticipated 2021 flagship. You can watch the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro event at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. UTC.
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On the eve of the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro launch, a new report quantifies Google’s manufacturing push for its existing and upcoming phone lineup.
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Google is rolling out a simple but rather useful ability to “mark as unread” in Chat. This capability is already found on competing team messaging solutions, and doubles as a light reminder system.
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In a very welcome change from what we previously expected, the Google Weather Material You widgets are now live on existing Pixel phones with the latest Google app beta.
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One of the more annoying bugs in Android 12 Beta 5 is the lack of weather in At a Glance on the Pixel Launcher. Google now looks to be rolling out a fix for this problem.
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Back in May, Google announced a new Play Store requirement to have Android apps detail how they collect and use personal information. The Google Play “Data safety” section will go live in February as developers will soon be able to fill out the necessary information.
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Over the years, Google has aggressively sponsored the NBA, and that’s increasing for the league’s “75th anniversary season” kicking off tomorrow. The company is specifically using the NBA and basketball as an opportunity to raise Pixel 6 awareness.
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With just over 36 hours until the Pixel Fall Event, the biggest remaining unknown is how much Google’s 2021 flagships will cost. Possible US pricing for the Pixel 6 has now emerged.
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Following leaks on Friday, a Pixel 6 ad has inadvertently aired two days early in Australia revealing the local starting price for the smaller phone and providing an overview of hardware features.
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Following high-resolution images today, promo ads for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have leaked this evening. These 30-second videos show off Magic Eraser, Live Translate, and other marquee software capabilities.
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Google stopped offering fabric cases with the Pixel 5a, and next week’s Pixel is set to continue that unfortunate change. Following a leak at the start of this month, we now have a very good look at the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro case design.
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Google is rolling out an update to the “Sounds” app on Pixel phones that introduces a Material You redesign, as well as the new “Material Adventures” collection.
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