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.
Since launch, the NotebookLM mobile experience has been focused on letting you listen to Audio Overviews on the go. The NotebookLM app for Android and iOS now supports flashcards and quizzes.
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Google has released a new “Theme packs” app on the Play Store for its devices that “Personalize your Pixel in one tap.”
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After adding PDF support in May, Gemini Deep Research can now directly tap information stored in your Gmail and Google Chat conversations, as well as Google Drive files.
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After giving AI Mode new floating controls on Android, the new Search experience is expanding its presence on Chrome and getting more agentic features.
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Pixel devices are getting a set of new ringtones, notification alerts, and alarm sounds via an update to the Sounds app.
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Besides navigating with Gemini, Google Maps is rolling out other AI-powered features, like landmark-based navigation.
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In Google Maps, Gemini already exists in place listings, and it’s now coming to the navigation experience on Android and iOS. Google equates this “hands-free, conversational driving experience” to having a “knowledgeable friend in the passenger seat who can confidently help you get where you’re going.”
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Google is starting a new research moonshot called Project Suncatcher to “one day scale machine learning in space.”
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Google Maps on Android Automotive (“Google built-in”) is tapping into how modern vehicles are smartphones on wheels with a new live lane guidance capability for the Polestar 4. This essentially lets Google Maps “see” the road like a driver.
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After a number of Google AI Mode updates in recent weeks, the Search Live conversational experience is getting new floating controls on Android.
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Google is updating Chrome Autofill to support passport, driver’s license number, and vehicle info.
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Ahead of Black Friday 2025, the US Google Store is unexpectedly running a deep sale on the Pixel 10 series.
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Following AI-powered live translation and language practice capability, Google Translate is adding a model picker with “Fast” and “Advanced” options.
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Following the ‘G’ and Gemini icons, Google is updating its logos for the AI era. Here’s a sneak peek at the new gradient icons for Google Photos and Maps.
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Ahead of Black Friday, the US Google Store is discounting the new Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor.
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Google today released new October builds for the Pixel 7-10 series, with Verizon shedding some light on what this update brings.
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With the Gemini for Home voice assistant, Google has updated the LED lights on the Home Mini, Nest Mini, and Nest Audio.
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Google today released its first TV ad — for Search’s AI Mode — created entirely with generative AI (Veo 3).
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My vision of the future was heavily shaped by the “One Day” concept video Google released 13 years ago to show the potential of augmented reality and how we’d use it day-to-day. With Galaxy XR this past week, I got an unexpected approximation of what AR smart glasses will feel like in a form factor that I’ve been bearish about since living with Vision Pro.
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Like the Weather app, Google officially announced today that Clock for Wear OS is now only available for the Pixel Watch.
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Alphabet today reported Q3 2025 earnings, and CEO Sundar Pichai shared that the Gemini app has over 650 million active users.
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Google is following last week’s patch after the initial release with Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.2 today for Pixel devices.
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Alphabet today announced Q3 2025 earnings with $102.3 billion in revenue. These numbers range from July to September. This is Alphabet’s “first-ever $100 billion quarter.”
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Following the last edition on Friday (which the Gemini for Home voice assistant requires), release notes for Google Home 4.2 are now available.
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