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.
Update: After a two-day delay, Android 17 Beta 1 is now rolling out to Pixel devices with CP21.260116.011. You can find the OTA images here.
Here’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 1 [Gallery]
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After introducing text-to-speech in August, Google Docs is now rolling out audio summaries.
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The vast majority of Google’s Android apps have switched to a short bottom bar. Google Photos was the big exception, but we now know it’s moving to a floating toolbar, starting on iOS.
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Deep Think is Gemini’s “specialized reasoning mode,” and Google today announced a “major upgrade” to let it “solve modern challenges across science, research, and engineering.”
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After announcing in December, Google is more widely rolling out tab pinning in Chrome for Android.
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A small update to the Pixel VPN by Google lets you more easily check connection status from the Quick Settings (QS) Tile.
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The Gmail mobile apps lack a handful of features found on the website, but Google is now adding the ability to create new labels on Android.
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Android 17 Beta 1 was supposed to launch today, but Google has since pulled the release.
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Following the release of Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 earlier today, Google has revealed that the Android 17 Beta is starting soon.
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Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 is rolling out to Pixel devices today. This patch comes almost four weeks after the last release, and is surprisingly not Beta 3.
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After the initial Public Preview in October, Google is bringing its Fitbit personal health coach preview to international Premium users.
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As part of Safer Internet Day, Google Search is rolling out a pair of updates to Results about you and the non-consensual explicit images removal tool.
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When the Android desktop interface leaked last month, there was a Gemini icon in the status bar. We now know a bit more about that persistent access.
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After teasing in December, “YouTube TV Plans” are rolling out this week as cheaper alternatives to paying $82.99 per month for over 100 channels.
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After testing in recent months, YouTube Music looks to be widely rolling out a Premium paywall for lyrics.
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Google’s work to make the NotebookLM mobile app as full-featured as the website continues with Slide Deck and Infographic customization.
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Google has set out three tentpoles for Gemini: personal, proactive, and powerful. The company made big strides on the first pillar with Personal Intelligence, but there’s a very obvious blind spot with messaging.
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Following the web earlier this week, Gemini is giving the Tools menu on Android and iOS a redesign. There are also changes to My stuff in the side panel.
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Google has steadily released new Android Canary builds since July, and now has a new dedicated community for the program on Reddit.
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At the Super Bowl — sorry, I mean “Big Game” — this Sunday, Google is airing an ad all about the Gemini app.
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Alphabet today announced Q4 2025 earnings with $113.8 billion in revenue. These numbers range from October to December and wrap up the fiscal year.
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Google this morning officially announced the Pixel 10a via a video teaser emphasizing the updated design.
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It’s been clear for a while that Google is working to let Gemini control your Android phone, and we now have some details on how this “screen automation” will work.
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The year in updates continues with the February 2026 security patch for Android 16 QPR2 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, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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