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.
Welcome to episode 24 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk all about living with the Pixel Watch 3:
In addition to Keep and Tasks, Google announced a Calendar Gemini Extension earlier this year, and we now have more details about what it can do.
Expand Expanding Close
After removing the navigation drawer and the renamed “Organize” tab, the next big change to Google Contacts is a redesign of how you create a new contact.
Expand Expanding Close
There are three new faces with the Pixel Watch 3. Two of them are completely new, while the third is a thorough revamp of an existing design.
Expand Expanding Close
Following yesterday’s release of Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro Fold can now join the Android Beta Program.
Expand Expanding Close
Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 fully rolls out the ability to limit battery charging to 80% for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding Close
iFixit has listed repair parts for the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL, with the year-over-year comparison revealing some interesting pricing changes.
Expand Expanding Close
When the Google TV Streamer debuted on the US Google Store last month, the Chromecast with Google TV was de-emphasized, but it’s now back.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is modernizing the UI for screen recording and Casting in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 with a prominent chip indicator leveraged.
Expand Expanding Close
Google has been working on desktop windowing for a long time, and it’s finally being debuted on Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 with the Pixel Tablet.
Expand Expanding Close
Google today is rolling out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding Close
Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 redesigns the Settings app with some Material You tweaks and better organization.
Expand Expanding Close
Ahead of the December launch, Google’s Android 15 QPR1 preview cycle continues today with Beta 2 for Pixel devices, including the entire Pixel 9 Pro series.
Expand Expanding Close
The saga of the Gemini button in Google Messages continues with the FAB shrinking to its original size.
Expand Expanding Close
Google is updating Safety Check in Chrome for Android and desktop, with a big focus on getting rid of unwanted website notifications through features like one-tap unsubscribe.
Expand Expanding Close
After coming to Advanced subscribers a month ago, Gemini Live is now starting to roll out to free users on Android.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Wallet is getting the ability to digitize your US passport as an alternative to waiting for each state to add digital ID support.
Expand Expanding Close
With the launch of the Pixel Watch 3, Google made the daily readiness score free after previously requiring a Fitbit Premium subscription. This is now rolling out to older smartwatches and trackers with some updates to how it’s calculated.
Expand Expanding Close
Following the desktop launch last month, Gems are now available in the mobile app, while there might be a Gemini homepage redesign.
Expand Expanding Close
As previewed at I/O 2024 in May, NotebookLM is rolling out an “Audio Overview” feature that turns your documents, slides, and charts into “engaging audio discussions.”
Expand Expanding Close
Like last year, Google is still touting 24 hours of battery life on the Pixel Watch 3, and this is how it arrived at that figure.
Expand Expanding Close
In recent weeks, users on older Samsung Galaxy phones have been prompted to switch to Google Messages, which has resulted in the app moving up the Play Store’s top chart.
Expand Expanding Close
At Made by Google 2024, Google provided a brief glance (as seen above) of the vapor chamber on the Pixel 9 Pro series, and we now have a better look at it.
Expand Expanding Close
“Ask Music” is the name of the AI prompt-based conversational radio in YouTube Music, and it’s seeing wider availability, including internationally, in recent weeks.
Expand Expanding Close