Google Maps is getting closer to Waze with the ability to customize your car icon when navigating.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps for Android getting more customizable car icons
Author
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.
‘Mariner’ browser agent features coming to Google Gemini app in 2025
During the Alphabet Q4 2024 earnings call, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that some aspects of Project Mariner are coming to the Gemini app later this year.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet reports Q4 2024 revenue of $96.47 billion
Alphabet today announced Q4 2024 earnings with $96.47 billion in revenue. These numbers range from October to December, with the company also reporting fiscal year 2024 results.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 February update rolling out: Pixel Bluetooth, Android Auto fixes
Ahead of next month’s bigger update, the Android 15 February security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold.
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Deep Research comes to Gemini Android app
After debuting on the web in December, Deep Research is now available in Gemini for Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Live switching to phone call-style notifications on Android
After rolling out “Talk Live about this” last week, Gemini Live is now starting to use phone call-style notifications on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGboard for Android rolls out tweaked Dynamic Color theme
After testing last year, Gboard has widely rolled out tweaks to the Dynamic Color theme via a server-side update.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.0 Flash rolling out to Gemini app on Android, iOS
Following Thursday’s announcement, Gemini 2.0 Flash is now appearing in the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search widget now lets you set a custom shortcut on Android
After testing last year, the Google app on Android will now let you set a custom Shortcut in the Search widget.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos tones down Gemini’s ‘Ask Photos’ search UI
Google Photos started testing Ask Photos in September. An update to Google Photos for Android today tones down the UI of this Gemini-powered search capability.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini Extensions can be accessed when your Android phone is locked
It took a year from launch, but Gemini on Android is now a much better phone assistant. The latest update lets you access Gemini Extensions from the Android lockscreen.
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Google Sheets now loads and works faster
Last year, Google updated Sheets on the web to perform calculations twice as fast, and a new round of performance improvements are now available.
Expand Expanding ClosePixelated 039: The Pixel in our 9 Pro XL
Welcome to episode 39 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about our long-term Pixel 9 Pro XL review.
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Google Prompt 2FA requiring fingerprint, PIN authentication on Android
Google Prompt is a pretty good 2-factor authentication (2FA) option for the vast majority of users, with Google now adding fingerprint or PIN authentication to the process.
Expand Expanding CloseFind My Device Wear OS app spotted in Pixel Watch 3 ad
Google might be working on a Find My Device app for Wear OS as revealed months ago in the Pixel Watch 3’s intro video.
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Google releases Pixel Camera 9.7 patch update
Google today widely rolled out version 9.7.047.702121536.18 of Pixel Camera, but it’s just a smaller patch update.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle updates Gmail for iPhone with Material 3 redesign
Compared to Android, only some of Google’s iOS apps use the latest version of Material Design. Gmail for iPhone and iPad was finally updated with a Material 3 redesign today.
Expand Expanding Close‘Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental’ mentioned, but is not here yet [U]
Update: Google has revised the Gemini release notes (to 2025.01.30) and removed the “2.0 Pro Experimental” announcement. In releasing 2.0 Flash today, it looks like a previous/earlier version (2025.01.28) of the changelog was used. Nevertheless, it seems like Google is continuing its “Flash” and “Pro” branding this generation.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos now has a dark theme on the web
After Drive and Calendar in recent months, Google Photos on the web now has a dark theme.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini 2.0 Flash hits stable, rolling out to Gemini app
After entering preview last month, Google is now rolling out the stable version of Gemini 2.0 Flash to the Gemini app.
Expand Expanding Close‘Google Workspace with Gemini’ getting 50 local small biz ads at Super Bowl 2025
For Super Bowl 2025, Google is taking a different approach to ads. Each of the 50 states will see a different Super Bowl commercial promoting a local small business or nonprofit that uses “Google Workspace with Gemini.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search’s new ‘Ask for me’ calls local businesses for availability, pricing
Following Daily Listen in early January, Google is launching a new Search Lab called “Ask for me.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle offering ‘voluntary exit’ for employees working on Pixel, Android
Last year, the teams responsible for Pixel hardware and Android software were merged into one division, and Google today announced a “voluntary exit program” for employees working in the Platforms & Devices group.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search adds new ‘Block Breaker’ game
Google Search is home to a number of built-in tools and Easter Eggs, with a new “Block Breaker” game being the most recent addition.
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