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 is kicking off 2025 Pixel updates with the Android 15 January security patch 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.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the announcement at I/O 2024, Google is launching a public developer beta for its new Home APIs on Android.
Expand Expanding Close
Google will soon introduce a new settings page for “Google Workspace smart features” that better explains how your emails and other data in Workspace apps can be surfaced in Google products to provide a more personalized experience.
Expand Expanding Close
According to Verizon, the January 2025 Pixel update is rolling out starting Tuesday, January 7.
Expand Expanding Close
In a support article about “Understanding how your Pixel battery works,” Google has detailed how many charge cycles you can expect to get out of your Pixel phone.
Expand Expanding Close
For the past few days, Google Wallet for Android users haven’t been able to tap-to-pay with PayPal. Google is aware of the issue and working on a fix.
Expand Expanding Close
Ahead of CES 2025 officially starting tomorrow, Google announced that Gemini is coming to Google TV.
Expand Expanding Close
Following phones, tablets, and earbuds, Google is next bringing Gemini to Wear OS watches.
Expand Expanding Close
With the launch of Pixel Buds Pro 2 last year, the Google Store stopped selling the original pair. However, you can still find the first-gen Pixel Buds Pro at some retailers, with Woot selling them brand new today for $109.99 in a clearance sale.
Expand Expanding Close
Gmail is one of my most used Android apps across personal and work contexts, but it’s far from what I consider to be a great experience.
Expand Expanding Close
After being listed last month, the Bellroy Pixel Watch Strap is now available for purchase on the US Google Store.
Expand Expanding Close
Last year, I wished that Google iterated more on the personal side of Gmail, Calendar, and other Workspace apps. In 2024, Google made a number of updates to the suite of productivity apps that I benefit from and appreciate on a daily basis.
Expand Expanding Close
At the end of Made by Google 2024, a Google Store in Santa Monica was teased and here’s where it will be located.
Expand Expanding Close
Following basketball and soccer (football) around the world, Google Pixel is now the “official smartphone of the Australian Open.”
Expand Expanding Close
Google makes 10 different bands for the Pixel Watch, but half are “Google Store exclusive.” Fortunately, the Pixel Watch Performance Loop Band is not.
Expand Expanding Close
With only two days left in 2024, I would like to point out that Google Voice was not updated with any consumer-facing features this year.
Expand Expanding Close
With an eye towards New Year’s resolutions, the US Google Store is starting a new round of deals for the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit trackers.
Expand Expanding Close
Just before the holiday break, CEO Sundar Pichai and other Google executives had a 2025 strategy meeting, with Gemini being the “biggest focus” looking ahead.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is testing a new Gemini-aligned loading animation for AI Overviews in Search that is flashier and bolder than the current approach.
Expand Expanding Close
The biggest moment for Google Messages in 2024 was when the iPhone gained RCS support with iOS 18 in September. In terms of new features, there were some highlights but the biggest one — a redesign of the text field — was stuck in limbo. There are quite a few big additions in the pipeline.
Expand Expanding Close
Now in its third year, the Pixel Watch experience remains quite consistent in 2024. Compared to Pixel phones, it’s harder to distinguish each generation’s hardware, while the software has changed even less.
Expand Expanding Close
After rolling out a round of design updates and new features to the mobile app, YouTube is testing a “Play something” FAB.
Expand Expanding Close
Season 2 of Squid Game was released on December 26 — in a choice, thematic decision — and Google Search is marking the occasion with an easter egg.
Expand Expanding Close
In 2024, Made by Google rolled out big updates with new features to Pixel phones on six occasions. The year saw everything from routine operating system updates to entirely new apps and even a rebrand.
Expand Expanding Close