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.
Earlier this year, the first Wear OS devices that touted up to 100 hours of battery launched. This was made possible by the Wear OS hybrid interface built on top of dual-chipsets. Google’s wearables have long used a hybrid architecture and the Pixel Watch 3 uses that for richer experiences and more features, like Loss of Pulse Detection, over battery life.
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The Google Weather redesign introduced last year with the Pixel Tablet and Fold is already quite nice. Google’s first-party devices, starting with the Pixel 9 series, are now getting a native Pixel Weather app.
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In a first, Google’s new phones are not launching with the latest version of Android. Instead of launching with Android 15, the Pixel 9 series runs Android 14 out of the box.
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The big AI feature for the Pixel 9 is a conversational experience called Gemini Live that allows for “free-flowing conversations” and requires an Advanced subscription. Google pitches it as being able to talk to an expert on any subject matter.
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As someone with smaller wrists, I’m glad that the Pixel Watch started out at 41 mm. Going into the Pixel Watch 3, I fully expected to be happy with the smaller model’s tiny screen increase due to shrunken bezels, but the 45 mm version is giving me the best kind of doubts.
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Alongside the Pixel 9 series and Watch 3, Google today announced the Pixel Buds Pro 2. They come two years after the original with a new design that should address some existing complaints.
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Besides being offered in a bigger size, the Google Pixel Watch 3 looks exactly like last year’s wearable, with software and under-the-hood changes being the name of the game in 2024.
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Compared to past years, Google is hosting its annual hardware event around two months early. At Made by Google 2024, we’ll see the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro 2.
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After rolling out at the end of last month, Google Messages on Android now lets you turn off the Gemini button.
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As announced at I/O 2024 in May, Google Wallet for Android now has an expanded “Everything else” option for creating digital passes.
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After redesigning Recents on the homescreen, Files by Google now has a shortcut for Circle to Search when viewing images.
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In recent weeks, YouTube Music has made subtle changes to the design of the Home feed on Android and iOS.
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Ahead of the Pixel 9 keynote on Tuesday, Google has posted the livestreams for Made by Google 2024, with the Android channel on YouTube also broadcasting it.
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On Friday evening, Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai shared that Susan Wojcicki has died. She was 56.
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Welcome to the twentieth episode of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about the Google TV Streamer, 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat, and the final Pixel 9 rumors.
Following the last update over a year ago, Google Authenticator 7.0 on Android is rolling out with a Material You redesign and other new features.
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Gmail users this afternoon are having issues adding attachments, while Google Drive uploads are also failing.
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Assistant voice typing in Gboard was introduced with the Pixel 6 in 2021 as one of Google’s best features. With Google Assistant going out the door on phones, Gboard has been updated accordingly.
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Following Made by Google 2024 on Tuesday, Google is hosting a “star-studded livestream variety show” called the “After Party” to promote and highlight the Pixel 9 series.
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After rolling back the last Library redesign in 2022, Google Photos is trying again with a new tab called “Collections.” The goal is to make “finding content easier than ever.”
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We already know the European pricing for the Pixel 9 series, but how much the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL costs in the US might have now leaked.
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Following the leak earlier this week, the native Pixel Weather app is available for manual sideload.
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As we wait for Collections to widely launch, Google is rolling out “local recommendations” for the Play Store.
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The last remaining Pixel Watch 3 specs that have not yet leaked are now out with confirmation about the processor and RAM.
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