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.
Beyond getting a Material 3 Expressive redesign, Android 16 QPR1 allows you to customize Quick Settings to quite a degree. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of this interface you frequently interact with.
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After testing in recent months, the Google Search app on Android has now widely rolled out an “Activity” tab in the bottom bar.
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A production crew was spotted actively filming an ad for the Pixel 10 in what’s possibly the wildest leak of a Google phone.
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Google’s new ‘G’ logo appeared on stage during the I/O 2025 keynote, and is now live in more apps and the web.
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Welcome to episode 55 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 and share our first thoughts on Google I/O 2025.
The big Material 3 Expressive redesign we’ve waiting for is here with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel today.
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In addition to Gemini Live announcements at I/O 2025, Google looks to be widely rolling out camera and screen sharing for free Android users. This free availability was first announced over a month ago in a gradual rollout.
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Besides the new Android and iOS app (which already picked up its first post-launch update) this week, NotebookLM Audio Overviews are rolling out a new Length customization.
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Material 3 Expressive was officially unveiled last week at The Android Show, with Google releasing guidance at that time. At I/O 2025, we had a “Build next-level UX with Material 3 Expressive” session with another tease at upcoming Google app redesigns, like Fitbit.
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After going full-width last month, a smaller redesign to Google Discover emphasizes the site/publisher name on Android and iOS.
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Last year, Google Play kicked off efforts like Collections to be “more than a store.” The next step in that might be a broader Google Play Store redesign, especially of the Apps feed.
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At I/O 2025, Google Wallet and Pay had a number of announcements, including some new features (like nearby passes) that end users will benefit from.
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At I/O 2025, Google announced a new “Home Summary Widget” for Pixel devices, while bringing Gemini to the Home APIs for third-party developers.
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Google’s work on an Android desktop mode continues with desktop windowing coming to external displays with an upcoming Android 16 QPR1 Beta.
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Android 16 introduces Live Updates and Google shared more details about them at I/O 2025, including what to expect in the future, like Wear OS support.
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Beyond Android 16 for TV, Google at I/O 2025 detailed what’s coming to Google TV. This includes a push for cheaper smart televisions with low RAM that run Google TV.
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YouTube teased a “little refresh” of the mobile app’s miniplayer earlier this week, and this update is now rolling out on Android and iOS. This follows the “feedback” people sent in after the October launch.
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Google AI Pro and AI Ultra were announced yesterday, and the company has a table comparing what the limits for the Gemini app are by tier.
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After first teasing in February, Google is beginning to widely roll out Quick Share’s “Use mobile data” option on Android.
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With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, Google has redesigned the volume slider and panel, while the media player sees small tweaks.
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At I/O 2025, Google provided a more thorough look at how you’ll use Android XR glasses in day-to-day life as work continues.
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With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, Google is redesigning Quick Settings on Pixel with resizable tiles and a background blur.
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Besides Meet Speech Translation, Google announced a slew of new Workspace features at I/O 2025 across Gmail (like personalized smart replies), Docs, and Vids.
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At I/O 2025, Google announced that Meet is getting real-time Speech Translation capability that’s like having an actual human interpreter in the call.
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