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.
After six major previews and betas, Google is ready to launch Android 16 for Pixel devices today. There are a handful of additions and changes, but it’s not a particularly big release once again. (However, you can expect the next quarterly update to bring the Material 3 Expressive redesign.) Today’s release also coincides with the June 2025 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
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Following last month’s big redesign, Google today is rolling out QPR1 Beta 2 to Pixel devices. Notably, this release features a developer preview of “enhanced” Android desktop experiences with connected displays.
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With the launch of Android 16 today, Google also announced the June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop.
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At the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2025 today, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 chip for smart glasses, while sharing its broader vision for the form factor.
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After beta testing started last month, Gboard for Android is now rolling out the Emoji, GIF, and Sticker picker redesign to stable users.
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Google has finalized a branding change for the Gemini app that started at I/O 2025, with “Gemini Pro” and “Gemini Ultra” no longer in use.
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How Android and iOS copy features from each other is pretty inevitable at this point. At WWDC 2025, we got more of that. What’s interesting to me is how Android 16 QPR1 and iOS 26 are getting new design languages in the same year.
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Google is now giving AI Pro subscribers in the Gemini app more video generations with Veo 3 Fast after previously providing a 10-pack trial. Veo 3 is Google’s latest model for video with the ability to generate audio.
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On mobile, Gemini in Google Workspace has been limited to the Gmail app, but it’s now coming to Google Docs for Android.
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Google Pixel owners on Sunday evening unexpectedly received an app update for something called “Pixel VIPs.”
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After widely rolling out the redesigned compose field last month, Google Messages is now addressing a common complaint about the 4-line limit when drafting by letting the text box get much taller.
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Earlier this week, Google doubled the recently introduced 2.5 Pro query limit in the Gemini app for AI Pro subscribers. It then emerged that Google is planning to make similar limit changes to AI Studio.
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As previewed earlier this year, Google is getting ready to add a “Battery health assistance” setting to help long-term Pixel usage.
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In addition to the advertising that plays after every few songs, YouTube Music appears to be adding ads to the Now Playing screen.
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After debuting in the conversation view earlier this week, Material 3 Expressive is coming to more parts of Google Messages beta, including the media viewer and search experience.
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Welcome to episode 57 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the Pixel 10.
Following the 2.5 Pro model update yesterday, Google is introducing “scheduled actions” to the Gemini app.
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YouTube Music has been testing a redesign of the Now Playing screen since November of 2024. It’s not yet rolled out, and still in flux with YouTube Music now moving the thumbs up and down buttons.
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After previewing at I/O 2025, Google is beginning to test AI Mode’s new “Search Live” experience. Powered by Project Astra (just like Gemini Live), it lets you have a real-time conversation with Google.
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After testing first got underway in November of 2024, Google Messages is now widely rolling out a big redesign of the gallery and camera interface.
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At I/O 2025, Google previewed a number of upcoming features for AI Mode, and the ability to create interactive charts is now in testing.
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In addition to the 2.5 Pro model update today, Google is also rolling out some UI tweaks to the Gemini app on Android, including a swipe left gesture for Live.
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After widely rolling out camera and screen sharing to Android and iOS last week, Google is adding real-time captions to Gemini Live.
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Google today released an “upgraded preview” of Gemini 2.5 Pro that will soon be generally available in the coming weeks.
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