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.
Google today is rolling out a November 2025 Pixel Feature Drop that is quite sizable and coming out of cycle. This update is still based on Android 16 QPR1.
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Google Photos is getting more AI with big updates today for the conversational “Help me edit” experience and Ask Photos search.
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Google is rolling out the latest Find Hub app update on Android, while android.com now offers a comprehensive list of compatible devices.
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Google has launched a new “excessive partial wake locks” metric for Android app developers that will result in Play Store warnings for end users.
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After first debuting in September for one series of devices, Gemini for TV is now coming to the Google TV Streamer.
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As previously communicated, YouTube TV is sending subscribers a $20 credit in light of Disney content still not being available.
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Besides the AI-powered coach, the Fitbit redesign introduces Material 3 Expressive to the Android app.
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The Google app’s legacy voice search experience is finally being modernized with a redesign inspired by Search Live.
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Upcoming Google Wallet settings will provide a “new way for you to get more personalized recommendations” from your “purchase and pass” history.
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If you’re seeing a new icon in the top-right corner of Google Drive this morning, it’s for Google Workspace Flows.
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As the personal health coach preview gets underway, Fitbit Labs is testing more features: Unusual Trend Detection and Hypertension Study Lab.
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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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