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.
Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory investigates a number of ideas before publicizing and later graduating them. For the past three years, X has been working on Project Amber to find a biomarker for depression. That ultimately did not come to fruition, but the team did create a portable, low-cost EEG that has been open-sourced.
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The November security patch is rolling out this morning as the first update for the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. All Made by Google phones also benefit from a number of fixes.
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This year’s penultimate Pixel software update is rolling out today with the November security patch. It’s rolling out for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5.
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Following reviews yesterday, the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 are arriving on people’s doorsteps today. Google this afternoon released factory images for the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G).
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Following three days of Good Stuff, November 2020 will see six games join Stadia Pro on Sunday. This includes new titles Sniper Elite 4, The Gardens Between, and Hello Neighbor: Hide & See, as well as Risk of Rain 2.
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The Pixel 5 officially launched in the US and Canada this Thursday, and we are now seeing the first teardown of the device. Notably, the Made by Google phone features an extra measure to secure the screen to the body.
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Long settings pages — no matter how necessary each option is — can be intimidating to users. The Google Play Store is now readying a new settings page that offers an alternate design on Android.
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Android 11 features an Identity Credential API that can be used for Mobile Driving Licenses. In a blog today, Google detailed the privacy-preserving aspects of this technology and how day-to-day interactions will work on a technical level.
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Google Meet continues its onslaught of pre-announced features today with the launch of custom backgrounds during video calls. This customization is a staple of modern conferencing apps, and one that helps convey “more of your personality.”
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Earlier this year, Google started testing HVAC monitoring capabilities for Nest Thermostats. The feature was highlighted with the launch of the new Nest Thermostat and is officially rolling out to all existing and current devices in the US and Canada.
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Earlier this week, Google rolled out several themed 3D Animals, including a hot dog — really — and dancing skeleton. With Halloween in 24 hours, Google is kicking the 2020 celebration into full gear with a sequel to the Magic Cat Academy Doodle from four years ago.
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In recent weeks, Google has worked to attract more customers to its MVNO with a new phone subscription program and by adding Samsung devices. Google Fi is now making it easier to troubleshoot connection issues on Android 11.
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Alphabet today hosted its Q3 2020 earnings call. Sundar Pichai was asked by an analyst about Google’s approach to phones and hardware in 2020. The CEO notably hinted at what’s coming next year.
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Back in February, Google provided an update on YouTube Music/Premium and YouTube TV subscribers. During Q3 2020 earnings, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai announced 30 million, ad-free paying members and another million for the cord-cutting service.
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Alphabet today announced Q3 2020 earnings with $46.2 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September, and includes the continuing impact of COVID-19.
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As of the start of this month, Workspace customers can get access to an integrated Gmail experience that includes Chat and Rooms. Google is now boosting the Gmail experience by letting Chat users set an “away” or “Do not disturb” status.
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Back in July, Google’s storage subscription service made phone backups free on Android and announced plans for iOS. The next move for Google One is including a VPN on higher storage tiers.
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Google has been steadily improving the quality of haptic motors included in Pixel devices — though this year might be an exception. With the Pixel 5, the ability to set “Vibration & haptics” has been elevated in settings.
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It emerged at the start of last week that Google was discontinuing the Nest Secure, with the first-party hardware store listing it as “no longer available.” Google is now reaffirming its commitment to continued support, and revealed that more Detect sensors are coming.
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Artificial intelligence has the potential to make significant contributions in healthcare and medicine. Google Health and Mayo Clinic are now exploring how to leverage AI during the cancer radiotherapy treatment process.
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Depending on your usage habits, the close integration between YouTube and YouTube Music is either a blessing or a curse. Google is now working on a YouTube Music setting to separate liked videos.
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Voice interaction has flourished in recent years as Google brings Assistant to more and more form factors. Adobe XD is now picking up a Google Assistant integration to make it faster to prototype voice experiences.
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With Halloween this Saturday, Google is getting into the spirit with special 3D animals and objects. Google added a 3D black cat and two other delightful pets wearing costumes, as well as other October 31 mainstays like a human skeleton.
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Google’s editing applications can open and edit Microsoft files, with that capability recently coming to Android. When opening Office files from the Drive web client, Google will now directly open them in editing mode.
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