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.
To combat malware and financial scams, Google announced today that only apps from developers that have undergone verification can be installed on certified Android devices starting in 2026.
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As previewed last year, Google Messages is beginning to roll out QR code-based key verification to confirm that you’re “communicating with the person you intend to.”
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Google is rolling out a Material 3 Expressive redesign that tries to really simplify Pixel Recorder. It comes as the Pixel 10 series debuts a new music creator.
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Google’s latest video generation model introduced in May lets you generate 8-second clips that include sound. Gemini this weekend is letting free app users try Veo 3.
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Following Calculator, Google is rolling out a Material 3 Expressive redesign for Android’s Clock app.
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Google is rolling out an update to Pixel Weather on older phones that finally brings homescreen widgets into the app.
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Ahead of the big Pixel Buds Pro 2 update next month and Pixel Buds 2a in October, Google is giving the companion app a M3 Expressive redesign with the Equalizer interface getting a nice modernization.
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Google Calculator is getting a Material 3 Expressive redesign that moves some elements around.
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Following yesterday’s introduction, Google is rolling out the “My Pixel” app to replace Pixel Tips.
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After the redesign started rolling out last month, Material 3 Expressive is now widely available for Google Keep on Android.
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Yesterday, Google released Android Canary 2508 as the third release in the new program. Besides integrating Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 changes, it makes two sizable additions.
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In addition to the Material 3 Expressive redesign, Google has released a Password Manager “app” that serves as a more prominent homescreen shortcut.
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Compared to the other redesigns, Material 3 Expressive for Phone by Google thoroughly updates how you use the app.
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Google Password Manager on Android is widely rolling out a Material 3 Expressive redesign that is mostly updated components but with one genuinely useful addition.
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After launching in three countries, Google is now bringing AI Mode to many more countries around the world, while AI Ultra subscribers will get to use the first agentic capability.
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The Android 16 preview cycle continues today with QPR2 Beta 1 today for Pixel devices.
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Ahead of Gemini Live visual guidance beginning to roll out next week, a new update to the Gemini app on Android redesigns the homescreen widget.
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With the Pixel 10 series and Pixel Watch 4, Google is announcing the latest Gemini app features.
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Ahead of the QPR1’s big Material 3 Expressive redesign going stable, Google is starting the Android 16 QPR2 Beta today for Pixel devices.
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At Made by Google 2025, Google detailed “Gemini for Home” and briefly showed what appears to be a new first-party smart speaker.
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Besides Magic Cue, Voice Translate in the Phone app is Google’s other tentpole on-device AI feature for the Pixel 10 series.
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Alongside the Pixel Buds 2a, Google announced a big Pixel Buds Pro 2 software update coming in September, while there’s a new Moonstone color.
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With the Pixel 10, Google is introducing a new Journal app that lets you quickly jot down what’s happening in your life. There are also updates to Pixel Recorder, Screenshots, and Studio.
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Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 and W5+ Gen 2 as its latest chip for smartwatches.
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