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.
On Android, iOS, and the web, Google Keep’s Tasks migration is fairly straightforward save for the loss of location reminders. However, Google Keep for Wear OS loses the ability to create reminders entirely.
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Google announced Gmailify in February 2016 and is now ending support for its system to upgrade third-party email accounts.
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As we wait for the broader redesign, Gboard for Android is getting a nice quality-of-life improvement with the “auto-switch after apostrophes” shortcut.
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Version 8.5 of Google Clock for Android was released last week and it’s rolling out the ability to dismiss alarms by swiping.
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Google Photos continues to build out the Create tab with a new “Me Meme” feature in the Android and iOS apps.
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In what could be a bug or behavior change, the Google Play Store is not showing available updates for system-level apps if you have automatic updates disabled.
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Following the Gemini launch last week, Personal Intelligence is coming to AI Mode in Google Search.
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Last year, the Pixel Phone app introduced “Take a Message” to automatically “handle your missed or declined calls.” A very small number of users have encountered an issue where “Take a Message” is sending their audio to the caller.
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Ahead of the Pixel 10a, the Google Store is running a rather extended sale on the Pixel 9a that ends on February 15.
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After launching for enterprise customers last year, Google Meet is bringing Ask Gemini to more Workspace users.
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Every year, YouTube outlines its priorities, and the 2026 edition previews what product updates to expect.
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Google is testing very basic theming and customization for the Search results page with a “Color your Search” feature.
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I wasn’t an early adopter of chatbots. The messaging metaphor didn’t appeal to me as someone who saw chatting as something you only do with other people.
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After coming to the web in December, NotebookLM integration is now available in the Gemini app on Android with a redesigned plus list.
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To address how Phone by Google recently gained a landscape calling screen, the dialer app is now offering a setting to “Keep portrait mode on calls.”
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Google introduced watch speaker playback with Wear OS 5.1, and the latest update to Pocket Casts adds support.
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The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
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Phone by Google is now fully compliant with Material 3 Expressive after shrinking its bottom bar.
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Google is rolling out a significant redesign and modernization of voice search on Android.
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Gemini Live today is still based on 2.5 Flash, but big upgrades are coming according to the latest beta version of the Google app.
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Besides Personal Intelligence, Google this week rolled out an “Answer now” button in the Gemini app.
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A post on Google Design this week takes a look at the design and illustration of the Gemini app, with gradients playing a big role.
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Currently, tapping on a Smart Reply in Google Messages immediately sends the suggestion, but the latest beta reveals an upcoming “Tap to Edit” preference that will make for a nice quality-of-life improvement.
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Google Meet is joining Drive for Android this month in adopting more Material 3 Expressive. Like other Workspace services, the video calling app now has a search app bar.
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