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.
After testing in June, Google Search is now rolling out the ability to set your “Preferred Sources” for a more personalized Top Stories carousel in the US and India.
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This round, Google Home has released two release notes — version 3.37 and 3.38 — simultaneously with a focus on camera updates. This follows the last drop in late July.
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Google Pay is getting a handful of updates today centered around Chrome autofill, like expanded card benefit details.
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Google announced with the Find Hub rebrand that the Moto Tag would start getting the UWB (ultra-wideband) nearby finding update in May. The actual rollout started a month later, with wide availability now here.
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Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are the latest first-party apps to get various Material 3 Expressive tweaks.
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The latest Pixel Watch 4 leak comes from marketing materials that tout Google’s upcoming wearable as having “significant technological advancements over its predecessors,” while we get a better look at the charging system.
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After starting in late June, Gemini Live on Android and iOS is now widely rolling out the ability to access Google apps like Keep and Tasks in real-time conversations.
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In the past few weeks or so, Google Wallet app on Android now requires that you grant the location permission to get “detailed receipts” with addresses and maps.
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Gemini’s switch from a blue-purple palette to the four Google colors on Android is now largely complete (with one small exception) following an update to the overlay.
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Google has updated Android’s battery notification for headphones and earbuds to be a bit more glanceable.
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More specs sheets have leaked today for the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro Fold, as well as the Pixel Watch 4. Meanwhile, we learn that the Google Pixel Buds 2a has ANC.
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Google Calendar is just beginning to roll out M3 Expressive on Android phones and tablets. On Wear OS, Google Calendar’s M3 Expressive Tiles are now widely available.
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The latest Pixel Watch 4 leak reveals how Google will be advertising the 2025 Wear OS 6 device and Gemini plays a big role.
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As of Thursday afternoon, some Google Messages users are having the app crash a few seconds after opening.
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After debuting in 2022, the Steam for Chromebook Beta will stop working in early 2026. At the time, it was a big ChromeOS effort, but there hasn’t been an update in ages.
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Following Keep (which we’re now seeing go live on more devices), Google Calendar for Android is beginning to see its Material 3 Expressive redesign go live.
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The latest round of Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch 4 leaks come in the form of promo videos about the design. Again, it’s mostly the same, but there are some visible tweaks.
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Following the announcement last week, Google has finished rolling out Video Overviews and a redesign of the Studio interface to all NotebookLM users.
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Five months after launching on phones, Google AI Mode is now appearing on Android tablets.
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Following the “quick actions” redesign earlier this year, Google Drive for Android has now updated the “Suggested files” widget with M3 Expressive.
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Gemini’s updated color branding is continuing to roll out on Android with an updated glow animation for the system-wide overlay.
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As AI Mode comes to more users around the world, Google is testing more prominent ways to surface the capability (and Live) on mobile.
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Google is out with a blog post today rebutting recent reports that its AI features are causing traffic declines.
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Ahead of the new school year, the Gemini app is adding a trio of new tools like Guided Learning, while the free year of Google AI Pro offer is back for college students in several countries.
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