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.
In addition to a slew of new features, the YouTube UI is getting some design updates across mobile, web, and TV. These visual improvements, including a subtle frosted glass effect, aim to “simplify” YouTube.
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Google Shopping is being redesigned with AI today. In addition to a site revamp and new logo, Google’s Shopping Graph has been combined with Gemini models to power these new experiences.
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YouTube is making official a number of updates that it’s been testing in recent months, like the new miniplayer and several design updates.
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Made by Google always releases stylized “design of” videos for its Pixel and Nest products. The latest shows off an unreleased Concentric face for the Pixel Watch 3.
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I happen to like how Chrome for Android looks and works, but the introduction of Arc Search earlier this month piqued my interest in a way that no other mobile browser has.
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In recent weeks, Chrome for Android started working on a bottom address bar, and an early look is now available.
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Welcome to episode 27 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about the Pixel 9 after using it for a few weeks.
With the addition of song lookup last month, Circle to Search was visually tweaked, and has now lost its Google Lens shortcut.
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On Pixel phones, Google previously hid the Pixel Buds app from appearing in the launcher, but that has now been reversed.
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Wear OS 5 for the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 was pulled after some users had their devices soft brick, with Google today providing an update on what’s happening.
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With the Pixel Watch 3, Google introduced a new charging screen that is now rolling out to older wearables.
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Google looks to be widely rolling out Android’s new Theft protection features that “protect your personal data if your device is stolen.” This includes Theft Detection, Offline Device, and Remote Lock.
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After announcing in late August, the Google Wallet Quick Settings (QS) Tile for Samsung Galaxy phones has now widely launched.
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As teased, Bellroy is making a “Pixel Watch Strap” and it’s now available to pre-order for $69. It joins their various phone cases and Pixel Buds Pro case.
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For some, Google rolled out the straightforward “Pixel Watch fully charged” notification back in November. It’s now finally seeing wider availability.
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The Home Panel that debuted on the Google TV Streamer is next coming to the Chromecast with Google TV if you join the Public Preview program.
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Google is now widely rolling out a redesign of the Gemini app on Android that greatly simplifies the homescreen.
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As announced in late August, alongside Gems, image generation with Imagen 3 is now available for all Gemini users.
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The US Justice Department might recommend to a federal judge that Android and/or Chrome be spun off (“structural remedies”) among other possible antitrust solutions, with Google today arguing against that.
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A small change to Google Messages for Android moves the “Rewrite” aspect of Magic Compose.
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The Home Controls screensaver coming with Android 15 now shows the temperature and current weather condition.
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Since launch, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Watch 3 have appeared in the Google Home app, but this is not intended.
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ChromeOS 130 will introduce a new audio Recorder later this month. While some AI features are exclusive to Plus devices, all Chromebooks will have access to the Recorder app.
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As teased earlier this year, Fitbit Labs is now open to test experimental features like an “insights explorer” that leverages the Gemini models to let you “ask questions and discover insights.”
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