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.
Waymo autonomous vehicles date back to Google’s self-driving car project that started in 2009. As of today, you can get a ride in 11 cities across the US.
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Fitbit Public Preview users are getting a redesigned Sleep Score experience with “actionable advice that will help improve your sleep health.”
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Besides Workspace Intelligence, Google announced a suite of new Workspace features across Drive, Sheets, Meet, and more at Cloud Next 2026. These updates are rolling out over the coming weeks.
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At Cloud Next 2026, Google today announced “Workspace Intelligence” to provide “highly accurate, personalized context for every app.”
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As previously teased, Google Wallet for Android now offers Live Updates for tracking your current flight.
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Instead of having to use Gemini Live for extended speaker or smart display interactions, the Gemini for Home voice assistant is adding Continued Conversation.
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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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Gemini in Chrome is now coming to users in Asia Pacific after previously only being available in four countries.
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Google AI Studio provides access to Gemini models via your web browser, with AI Pro and Ultra subscribers now getting expanded usage limits.
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At the end of March, Google started teasing a screen-less Fitbit band. 9to5Google can now report that this device will be marketed as the “Fitbit Air.”
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Visually, Gemini Live has remained mostly unchanged since launch, but Google is now testing a redesign that removes the fullscreen interface on Android.
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A bug with the Gemini app today is responsible for several recent features being rolled back.
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After rolling out to Google AI subscribers earlier this month, the Gemini app has now launched notebooks to free users.
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Based on the latest Android Canary and Android 17 Beta releases, Google is working on a Pixel “laptop” of some sort that will feature a “Pixel Glow” hardware feature.
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Google today rolled out Android 17 Beta 4 for Pixel devices to continue the preview cycle. This is the last scheduled release, but there could be patches in the coming weeks.
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Google is rolling out Android 17 Beta 4 for Pixel devices three weeks after the last release. This is the “last scheduled beta of this release cycle.”
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Given how personal and expressive glasses can be, it’s important that they are available in a wide variety of styles. Google’s upcoming Android XR glasses will eventually have designs from Gucci.
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Like the Gemini app before, Google is now deeply integrating AI Mode with desktop and mobile Chrome.
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With the international expansion underway, Gemini is now bringing together Personal Intelligence, Google Photos, and Nano Banana 2.
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After boosting AI Pro storage earlier this month, Google One is now running a limited-time YouTube Premium discount.
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Gemini now has a native Mac app in the first expansion beyond Android and iOS.
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The split-view Now Playing redesign that YouTube Music has been working on since last year is now widely rolling out.
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Gemini in Chrome on desktops is getting a new Skills feature that lets you quickly run frequently used prompts. Besides saving time, this capability helps educate users about what Gemini can do when given a webpage.
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After the US launch, Google is bringing Personal Intelligence to Gemini users around the world (excluding Europe).
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