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 already refreshed the Pixel Watch app on Android phones with some M3 Expressive earlier this month, but the latest update brings more tweaks and a new homescreen icon.
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Google has not released the October 2025 Pixel update yet, but details of the upcoming OTA from Verizon are now available.
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Google is now letting developers preview the Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model behind Project Mariner and agentic features in AI Mode.
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Just under a month after the announcement, Google AI Plus is coming to 36 more emerging markets for a total of 77 countries. It’s meant to be cheaper than AI Pro.
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Last year, Google waited until Black Friday to discount its latest phones. In 2025, the first Google Store discount for the Pixel 10 series is here to coincide with Amazon’s “Prime Big Deal Days.”
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After the ninth addition last week, Google Wallet on Android is now rolling out support for Arkansas state IDs.
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Gemini for Home is the umbrella term for Google’s renewed smart home effort with several distinct aspects: app, camera, and voice assistant. From what the company has shared so far, here’s when Gemini for Home is rolling out.
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The Google Home team is answering the “top questions” it has received from users since Wednesday’s Gemini for Home launch.
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With the Pixel 10 just over a month old, rumors about its successor are beginning to pick up. The Tensor G6 for the Pixel 11 is said to switch to a MediaTek modem.
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Ahead of the Pixel Watch 4 launching next week, the majority of Google’s Wear OS apps now have Material 3 Expressive redesigns, with Home and Keep being the most recent updates.
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Genuine repair parts for the Pixel 10 series are now available on iFixit with some interesting differences.
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Besides other incoming updates, the Google Play Store now lets you directly buy digital gift cards on Android.
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The Material 3 Expressive redesign of Google Wallet for Android is finally seeing a wider rollout today.
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The fullscreen Google Account switcher started rolling out earlier this year, and the menu redesign is now coming to the remaining first-party apps.
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Google Maps has updated two key buttons for location and directions that people interact with constantly throughout the day.
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Every single Home speaker and Nest smart display that Google released in the last decade will support Gemini. However, Gemini Live requires newer devices and a subscription.
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With the launch of Gemini on Home, Nest Aware is no more. It’s being rebranded to Google Home Premium with an Advanced tier that unlocks the full set of “AI camera” capabilities.
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Gemini is first coming to every smart device that Google launched in the past decade. Next year, the Google Home Speaker is launching for $99.99.
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Gemini for Home does more than just replace Google Assistant on smart speakers and displays. Featuring a rebuilt Home architecture, it adds intelligence to cameras and makes possible a redesigned Home app for Android and iOS.
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With the latest update, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 now broadcasts its battery life to all your devices, while there’s now a “Fully charged” notification.
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Waymo now supports YouTube Music as its third streaming provider. Meanwhile, the Waymo app now has a “My car” tab.
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In the past day or so, the Pixel Satellite SOS settings page has accidentally appeared on older Google devices. This is a bug, with no new functionality for the Pixel 7 or 8 series.
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Google Wallet on Android is now rolling out support for North Dakota state IDs. This follows the last launch in August.
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Google might restore a useful Pixel Launcher shortcut that lets you type the name of an app and quickly open it without leaving the keyboard.
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