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.
YouTube Premium — previously “Red” — has remained relatively unchanged for the past few years. Google is now surveying subscribers in the YouTube app on their favorite Premium feature.
Expand Expanding Close
T-Mobile is moving relatively quickly to have all phones on its network support voice over LTE. Google Fi, as an MVNO, has to follow this decision and is encouraging customers with older phones to upgrade before next month through a promotional credit.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s two budget “a” phones this year are universally praised and highly sought after. The Pixel 4a launched first in August, while the 4a 5G followed with the Pixel 5 this fall. With the holiday shopping season under way, a change to the Google Store reflects how the premium version of this year’s 4a series is getting much more prominent billing.
Expand Expanding Close
Following a big desktop update two weeks week, Chrome OS 87 started rolling out on Thursday after a brief delay. There are a handful of usability enhancements in this release, which will be available in the coming days.
Expand Expanding Close
Google’s flagship phone this year has an aluminum unibody, but it is covered in a bioresin coating to allow for wireless charging. A Pixel 5 durability test revealed just how thick the coating is, while we get another look at the metal frame.
Expand Expanding Close
Following Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay, YouTube Music’s 2020 Year in Review is officially rolling out today. It’s a relatively straightforward playlist featuring the “songs you listened to the most this year.”
Expand Expanding Close
Back in August, Google announced a security-focused strategic partnership with ADT to “create the next generation of the helpful home.” CEO Jim DeVries told CNBC yesterday that ADT will “roll out with Google products in the third quarter of 2021.”
Expand Expanding Close
With a 2TB (or higher) Google One subscription, you get 10% back on all Google Store purchases. It’s supposed to arrive 30 days after an order has shipped, but Pixel 5 pre-orderers have yet to be credited. Google told us today that Pixel 5 Store credits will be available by Friday.
Expand Expanding Close
This week we talk about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chip that will power next year’s flagship devices. We then check in on the Pixel 4a 5G and why it’s the surprise of this year’s lineup before closing on what’s new with Stadia.
Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.
Last month, Google Podcasts hit 50 million installs on the Play Store, and it’s now letting you “Add by RSS feed” across all platforms.
Expand Expanding Close
Google started shutting down its legacy streaming service around the world in October. Google Play Music is now officially dead for all users.
Expand Expanding Close
After celebrating its one year anniversary, Google is marking the end of 2020 with six games joining Stadia Pro on December 1st. New titles include Everspace and Into the Breach, as well as HITMAN 2.
Expand Expanding Close
Today, only the top books get audio versions narrated by professionals given that recording is a time-consuming process that doesn’t necessarily scale to every published work. Google is now working on auto-generated narrators that can turn more books into audiobooks.
Expand Expanding Close
Google launched a big Maps redesign in February and just this week introduced a new Community feed. Google Maps is now getting a simple but very useful “Go” tab on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding Close
Back in August, Google introduced a native system for quickly sharing text, links, and images across its devices. Nearby Share will soon let you send Android apps to people near you.
Expand Expanding Close
The new Assistant consists of a transparent, compact UI and faster responses thanks to on-device processing. A strange bug this evening is responsible for the new Google Assistant disappearing from some Pixel 4, 4a, 4a 5G, and 5 phones.
Expand Expanding Close
In addition to taking a picture with the Android statue and Stan, any visit to the Googleplex in Mountain View is not complete without a gift shop visit. Fortunately, you can browse the Google Merchandise Store online, and we’ve compiled the absolute best gifts to buy.
Expand Expanding Close
Earlier this year, Google added a “COVID-19 alert” from the CDC to hospital and other healthcare provider listings. Google Health is now piloting a general tool to help plan your hospital visits.
Expand Expanding Close
Earlier this year, Google’s 2FA authentication app received a big Android update that modernized its design. That dark theme, along with an account transfer feature, is now available in Google Authenticator for iOS.
Expand Expanding Close
With YouTube Premieres, creators can count down and raise awareness about their upcoming videos. YouTube is introducing three new features for Premieres, including trailers, to further boost “real-time, communal experiences.”
Expand Expanding Close
Back in October, Google unveiled a $1 billion plan to pay publishers for content that appears in its “News Showcase” carousel. Google News Showcase is expanding today with a number of updates.
Expand Expanding Close
People are increasingly turning to their mobile devices to shop for goods and order food. Google is now making it easier for customers to message stores through posts, while businesses can reply through the Maps app and get more customer stats.
Expand Expanding Close
Made by Google products are known for machine learning-powered features that automatically respond to user habits. “Adaptive Sound” looks to be the latest capability coming to Google’s Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding Close
Over the past few years, Google has been growing a mostly food-centric social network inside its mapping application. Google Maps is now elevating that focus even further with a community feed.
Expand Expanding Close