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.
Besides “Enhance Now Playing,” the latest version (V.13) of Android System Intelligence for the Pixel 9 reveals how Google is working to sports scores to the At a Glance widget.
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The Pixel’s background song recognition feature has not been updated in ages, but Google is now getting ready to “Enhance Now Playing.”
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Like with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 this hardware cycle, Google is emailing some owners a feedback survey about their experience with the Google TV Streamer (4K).
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The latest update to Google Chat lets you create “custom sections” in the sidebar to organize conversations as part of a “complete revamp of the left navigation experience” on the web.
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According to the latest rumors, Google will not be releasing a Pixel Tablet 2 next year.
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The Department of Justice on Wednesday shared what steps it wants a US judge to take after Google was found to have a monopoly over online search.
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Following the first Google TV Streamer patch last week, a new Chromecast with Google TV update is rolling out.
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Last December, Google announced a big change to how Maps Location History works. Your location “Timeline” is now being stored on your phone, with Google Maps still rolling out this update.
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Thanks to a new feature that Google is introducing for developers, Android can keep you logged in to apps on a new device.
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With the Pixel 9, Google introduced the ability to copy data from another device after the initial setup process, with other phones now set to get this feature in 2025 as part of Android Switch improvements.
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YouTube Music last redesigned its Now Playing page in September of 2023 and some tweaks to controls are being tested.
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Over the weekend, Google Fi subscribers could get the Pixel Watch 3 LTE for free, but the deal has now ended early.
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Back in April, Google Wallet introduced Verification settings for Transit payments, but that Security preference has now disappeared.
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With the release of Android 16 DP1, Google shared the schedule for the Developer Preview and upcoming Beta.
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For the most part, message backup on Android today is handled on the system-level by Google (One). Google Messages is now readying an in-app “Backup & restore” experience.
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With Android 15, Google elevated the Privacy dashboard into the main Security & privacy page, and Android 16 DP1 adds a 7-day permissions history.
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Android 16 Developer Preview 1 brings a handful of user-facing additions, but nothing major so far. On the Pixel 9, there’s an “Experimental mode” display color.
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The first developer preview of Android 16 is available today, and we are looking at DP1 to find what new features have been introduced.
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Officially, Google only promised three years of Android updates, as well as two more years of security patches, for its 2021 Tensor flagships. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are now getting Android 16 Developer Preview 1, which bodes well for the public launch.
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With Android 16 set to launch in the second quarter of 2025, Google is starting the Developer Preview for Pixel devices today.
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With a new remember feature available for Advanced subscribers, Gemini now has a memory of your “interests and preferences” that can be used to “provide even more helpful and relevant responses, tailored precisely to your needs.”
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With 20% of the 20 billion visuals searches every month focused on shopping, Google is updating Lens to use location for those queries.
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Fitbit for Android has seen a number of design updates in recent weeks, and the latest introduces a tablet and foldable layout.
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As announced with the October 2024 Feature Drop, Pixel Weather now has a Pollen count card, as well as Immersive weather vibrations.
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