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.
Like last year, Google is making most of its Android announcements a week before I/O 2026. At The Android Show, we got four sets of announcements.
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Google Wallet is beginning to widely roll out a big redesign of the app on Android that upgrades the passes experience.
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Google is rolling out an update to the Gemini overlay on Android that essentially lets you “Circle to Search” and focus your prompt.
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With the launch of iOS 26.5, end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS between Android and iPhone is now gradually rolling out in a process that will take place over the coming months.
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The hardware design of the Fitbit Air is quite straightforward, but there are two features that aren’t particularly obvious until you start wearing the wearable.
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In June of 2025, Google surprisingly released a major update for Snapseed after a long dormancy. After confirming at the start of this year that iOS exclusivity was set to end, Snapseed 4.0 is now rolling out to Android.
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After its introduction on the web, AI Inbox is coming to Gmail for Android and iOS. In the navigation drawer, “AI Inbox” appears below Inbox, just like on desktop. The more notable access point is in Gmail’s bottom bar.
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Ahead of the Google Health app rolling out next week, the company has detailed what Fitbit features are going away or significantly changing.
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Google today announced the Fitbit Air as a screen-less fitness tracker that has a low-profile and affordable $99.99 price.
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After months of Public Preview testing, Google is replacing the Fitbit app and launching “Google Health.” It’s meant to bring “together the best of Fitbit’s pioneering spirit with the helpfulness of Google.”
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After refreshing AI Mode’s interface, Google is now rolling out a fullscreen redesign for Search Live that is quite vibrant.
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With the launch of Gemini 3 last November, Google introduced “Gemini Agent” as an “experimental feature that handles multi-step tasks.” It’s due for a big upgrade, according to a new report and strings this week.
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Like the first preview, Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2 today does not contain many user-facing changes that would explain the fast two-week turnaround between builds.
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Just two weeks after the first preview, Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2.
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Google started teasing the Fitbit Air at the end of March, and the screen-less wearable looks to be launching tomorrow.
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Since the launch of AI Overviews and AI Mode, Google has been working to make links in generative responses more prominent, with Search adding five updates today.
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Google is rolling out the May 2026 security patch for Android 16 QPR3 on the Pixel 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a.
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For the second year in a row, Google will be hosting “The Android Show | I/O Edition” before I/O 2026.
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Like other Android apps, Chrome now lets you share approximate, instead of precise, location with websites.
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Google today announced a series of May / Spring 2026 updates for the Home app. Besides Nest Cam and automation improvements, the Gemini for Home voice assistant is getting an “intelligence upgrade” with Gemini 3.1.
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With the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between the iPhone and Google Messages on Android.
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Google has been working on a Gemini app redesign for the past few months, and we now have our first look at the full overhaul.
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Android AICore lets you “run generative AI features directly on your Android phone or tablet’s hardware.” These models (Gemini Nano) are inherently large, but Google now has a more detailed explanation of why Android AICore storage occasionally spikes.
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Google’s biggest show of the year always starts with a countdown. For I/O 2026, you can be part of it thanks to vibe coding.
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