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 the deprecation of Assistant Driving Mode earlier this year, Google Maps is now missing media playback controls for YouTube Music and Spotify on Android.
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The next global Pixel Watch update should be in September, but some owners in Japan and Singapore are getting a July 2025 update after missing the last release.
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After removing earlier this year, the Gemini overlay on Android is bringing back a shortcut to quickly open the full app.
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The Gemini Deep Think mode announced at I/O 2025 is not here yet, but Google today is highlighting how it achieved a gold-medal level performance in a math, or maths, competition.
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After announcing the August 20 event last week, a new Google Store teaser officially shows off the Pixel 10 Pro.
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Like on Android, the Phone by Google app is getting a M3 Expressive redesign on Wear OS.
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Like the Pixel 10 series last week, European pricing for the Pixel Watch 4 has now leaked and looks to be staying the same.
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Like Pixel and Workspace, Gemini is the latest product to get Feature Drops, with a new “Productivity Planner Gem” being the highlight.
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Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 should be the last major preview (excluding any upcoming .1 patches) before the stable launch in September, and Google is making tweaks to weather in At a Glance and the Pixel Launcher search field.
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The Android 16 QPR1 preview cycle continues today with Beta 3 for Pixel devices today.
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Ahead of the stable launch in September, Google is rolling out Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 to Pixel devices today.
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After AI Mode and gaming updates, Google is now adding Song Search history to Circle to Search on Android.
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Google is rolling out a handful of tweaks to Gemini Live on Android, including improved video resolution when using the Project Astra-powered capability.
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Back in March, cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS was announced, and Google Messages is beginning to test the new Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.
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Material 3 Expressive continues to make its way to Android with the Google Account page getting a redesign.
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Following the last increase in 2023, Google is raising the price of Nest Aware in the US next month. This is according to an email sent out to existing subscribers today.
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Made by Google 2025 is officially taking place on Wednesday, August 20. Google is again opting for a much earlier Pixel hardware event compared to previous years, with the annual Android release also accelerated.
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Following the announcement at I/O 2025 in May, Google is rolling out Deep Search to AI Mode, as well as letting subscribers access 2.5 Pro. Free users will get access to AI calling in Google Search.
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As we approach the launch, the Pixel Watch 4 is beginning to leak as heavily as the Pixel 10 series, with specs for the upcoming wearables emerging today to detail this year’s upgrades.
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After beta testing, Gboard is undoing key aspects of the Emoji and GIF picker update that Android users did not particularly like.
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Following last week’s announcement, more Wear OS users are now seeing the Gemini update in the Google Play Store.
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As previewed last month with other Android updates, Google Home for Wear OS is letting you set a custom list of device Favorites.
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Following the announcement last month, Google Chrome is now widely rolling out the bottom address bar option on Android.
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Rivian today announced a partnership with Google Maps on a new navigation system for its electric vehicles.
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