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.
Neverware lets you turn old PCs and Macs into Chromebook-esque devices through its CloudReady OS. While primarily aimed at schools and enterprises, a free “Home” edition for everyone is available. Google has now acquired Neverware and CloudReady with plans to integrate it with Chrome OS.
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With the Workspace suite of products, Google wants to leverage machine learning to boost user productivity. One such application of those automated smarts is in Google Meet with Live Captions, which are now available in four more languages.
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Besides organizing and making your library searchable, Google Photos often generates videos, albums, and other fun works. Google is now creating 3D “Cinematic photos,” while more collage designs and Memories are rolling out.
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The new Google Pay for the US launched almost a month ago in early access, and it’s now getting a straightforward dark theme on Android.
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Google is rolling out a big redesign of how you create and edit Assistant Routines, while at the same time adding the ability for these macros to be automatically invoked at sunrise or sunset.
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The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL officially reached end of life status in October after three years of updates. Google promised one last release, but it did not come yesterday alongside the Pixel Feature Drop. The final Pixel 2 update is now rolling out.
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This month’s Pixel Feature Drop brings a slew of additions to Google phones. The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G benefit the most from today’s release, but the Verizon update will not be available until sometime next week.
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Now in its sixth year, the 2020 Material Design Award winners were announced this morning. There are just three categories this year covering the best dark theme, use of motion, and Material Theming.
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Following this morning’s Zoom announcement, the Google Meet experience on Nest Hub Max is getting a revamp. A handful of usability tweaks provide more controls to the group video calling experience introduced in June.
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After being announced in August, Zoom video conferencing is now making its way to the Nest Hub Max. This is just a preview with some technical and geographic caveats for the initial release.
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Google’s primary Black Friday-Cyber Monday deals have passed, but the official US (and Canadian) store now has a rare $20 discount on the Pixel Buds. This is a limited offer that’s only available until Sunday.
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Back in March, Google was one of the first companies to have employees work remotely in response to COVID-19. The expected return date has been pushed back several times now, with the latest target being September 2021. At that time, a “flexible workweek” will be tested.
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There are a handful of ways to check the weather with Google from Search on the web and Android to Assistant voice commands. As of this evening, Google Weather is partially down worldwide across multiple platforms.
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Assistant Routines have recently seen a flurry of developments from Android homescreen shortcuts to a new editing UI, and Google is now rolling out sunset/sunrise triggers for some users.
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One highlight of this year has been the immense popularity of AR creatures from Google that helps replicate the great outdoors inside. Google Search has now added 50 new 3D animals in the biggest drop yet.
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Instead of first reaching out to support, some problems with today’s smart home devices can be resolved by looking through available documentation. To simplify that journey, Google has released two troubleshooting tools for Nest Cams and Thermostats.
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Back in August, Google redesigned preferences for Assistant to just be one long alphabetical list. The Google Assistant settings page on Android now features a very convenient search field as tweaks to the Routines interface are being tested.
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After generating a straightforward playlist with top songs, YouTube Music is now emailing subscribers a “Your 2020 music journey” recap complete with listening stats and other breakdowns.
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Earlier this year, Google One introduced a VPN for Android users on the 2TB+ subscription plan. At launch, it could be enabled from quick settings, but the latest Google One app update has oddly removed the VPN tile.
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In mid-November, Google appeared to settle on a compact design for Google Assistant where the activation panel is half as tall and answers don’t take up the entire screen. Google is now widely testing an Assistant design that brings the light bar to all Android phones.
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This week we talk all about the December Pixel Feature Drop and the slew of features that it brought to the Pixel 5. We then touch on the intersection of Android and Google Assistant, as well as some messaging issues that users are facing.
Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Pocket Casts, Overcast, and through our dedicated RSS feed.
Announced today, the Modern Computing Alliance brings together Google and other big enterprise players to “address the biggest IT challenges facing companies today with integration from silicon to cloud.”
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After a similar promotion for new customers in October, YouTube TV is giving a free Chromecast with Google TV to existing ones this holiday season.
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Those that don’t pay for YouTube Music are either using it for the cloud locker or as a lighter YouTube client just for songs. Free YouTube Music users are now seeing a prominent “Upgrade” tab in the bottom bar.
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