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 has now rolled out the redesigned Pixel Launcher search bar (in the US) and new Gemini launch animation (for everyone) to Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 users.
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Following last week’s announcement, Google Messages is widely rolling out features like “Snooze notifications” and “Delete for everyone” to the stable channel.
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Last week, a “Magic Cue” capability for the Pixel 10 leaked, and Gboard today revealed upcoming “Pixel Sense” integration.
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Following the announcement in early June, Google is more widely rolling out Scheduled Actions to the Gemini app on Android.
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Google Fi Wireless has a new offer that discounts both a Pixel 9 and your monthly plan for 24 months.
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Following the I/O 2025 announcement and early availability for some, Google is now letting AI Mode users test Search Live with voice input.
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For some, the Google Drive scanner is how they digitize documents and receipts, and the Android app is testing a change that makes it more prominent.
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Google Maps is beta testing a Material 3 Expressive redesign of its watch app ahead of Wear OS 6.
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After opening the last one in May, a new Google Store is coming to Miami later this year.
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After first testing in April, YouTube Music is now widely rolling out lyrics sharing on Android and iOS.
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Waymo One is expanding in California across its three existing service areas: San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles.
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The design of the Google app has gotten nicer as of late thanks to AI Mode, and another modernization sees the Discover feed go edge-to-edge.
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Following the first preview three months ago, Google is ready to launch Gemini 2.5 Pro and make the reasoning model generally available (GA) for consumers and developers.
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Historically, the Google Messages beta offers a stable experience, but there’s currently a bug that crashes the app when trying to share images and links.
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The latest release notes — version 3.33 — for the Google Home app on Android and iOS are now available.
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As previewed in March, the Google Play Store is adding a “Slide to buy” gesture to confirm Android app, book, movie, and TV show payments.
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Hardware development happens years in advance, so it’s no surprise that codenames for what should be the Google Pixel 12 series have already leaked.
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Google is updating the Gemini app on Android with a nav drawer, just like on the web, that brings a number of usability upgrades.
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The modernization of the Fitbit app continues with a redesign of the device settings page for smartwatches and trackers.
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Google is testing a new launch animation for the Gemini overlay with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. It also suggests the missing vibration is just a bug.
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This week, Pixel VIPs became the latest (exclusive) app made for Google phones. It follows the big trio we got last year with Screenshots, Studio, and Weather, as well as Camera, Magnifier, Recorder, Thermometer, and Tips.
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The new Google Messages Gallery redesign makes the bold choice of making this common action require a fullscreen interface and attaching a large camera viewfinder. There’s no way to revert to the previous design, but turning off the camera might help.
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Welcome to episode 58 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the Android 16 launch, June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, 16 QPR1 Beta 2, and iOS 26 with Liquid Glass.
Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel devices today following last month’s big Material 3 Expressive redesign.
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