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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.
Google Calendar this week is adding a nice quality-of-life update that gives users more than 11 colors for customizing events. Additionally, enterprise Google Voice users now have AI-powered “Take notes for me.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Vids announced today that it’s making AI avatars available to free accounts, with the Workspace video creation tool now used by 7 million users every month.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Google Home Speaker will finally launch and hit store shelves next week with pre-orders starting today in 18 countries.
Expand Expanding CloseBesides updates to the Contacts app, Phone by Google has received a sizable Material 3 Expressive redesign on Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing this morning’s announcement, Google is rolling out the June 2026 Wear OS 7 update to the Pixel Watch 4, 3, and 2.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Android 17 update with the June 2026 security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, and 10a.
Expand Expanding CloseAlongside Android 17, Google is rolling out Wear OS 7 to the Pixel Watch today.
Expand Expanding CloseWith the stable Android 17 launch, Google is also rolling out the June 2026 Feature Drop for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing four betas, Google is ready to launch Android 17 for Pixel devices. There are a handful of big additions and changes, while today’s release coincides with the June 2026 Pixel (Feature) Drop.
Expand Expanding CloseAt Augmented World Expo 2026, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Reality Elite as its flagship chip for XR form factors. This includes the latest Android XR devices, like XREAL’s Project Aura.
Expand Expanding CloseThe 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.
Expand Expanding CloseAlphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai today gave the commencement speech to Stanford University’s Class of 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseLike other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseAt I/O 2026, Google announced the concept of “Search agents,” with information agents now rolling out in AI Mode for AI Ultra subscribers.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is rolling out the latest version of the Gemini app for macOS today with a handful of updates.
Expand Expanding CloseA tweak to the Google Messages chat interface this week prominently themes the voice memo button.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle sent an email to customers today thanking Gemini for Home early access testers for their feedback, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming Google Home Speaker.
Expand Expanding CloseWith Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 today, Google is rolling out a much needed update that addresses various bugs from the last big release.
Expand Expanding CloseAfter the big release at I/O 2026 last month, Google is rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 4 for Pixel devices.
Expand Expanding CloseAfter testing got underway last year, YouTube is now more widely rolling out a new in-app messaging system. The aim is to let people “connect over their favorite videos directly on YouTube.”
Expand Expanding CloseAs of Wednesday morning (PT), the Gemini app is facing an outage for some users.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle today announced two features that make the Gemini app a more powerful tool for business owners.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing the Now Playing redesign in April, the next big YouTube Music change moves Search to the bottom bar.
Expand Expanding CloseFollowing the last expansion to the Asia Pacific region, Google is bringing Gemini in Chrome to Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
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