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, and Chrome/OS.
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 up-and-coming 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.
Google Maps is giving its driving experience the “biggest update in over a decade” with Immersive Navigation that redesigns visuals and offers “more intuitive guidance.”
After the US launch last year and big update this January, Gemini in Chrome is now coming to Canada, India, and New Zealand, as well as adding support for over 50 languages.
Google’s goal with Gemini is to make a “personal, proactive, and powerful” assistant. The Gemini app today is adding “Personal Intelligence” in beta. This lets Gemini use the data Google already has about you to “supercharge” and personalize responses.
Back in June, Google surprisingly brought back Snapseed but only on iOS. The app’s latest update introduces a retro “Snapseed Camera” for iPhone users.
An update to the Apple TV app on Android phones and tablets today finally introduces Google Cast support, thus closing a big functionality gap since the launch earlier this year.
Google Labs today announced “Disco” as an experiment to “shape the future of web browsing.” The first flagship feature of this AI browser is the Gemini 3-powered “GenTab.”
Google announced today that Android’s Quick Share now works with Apple’s AirDrop system on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac to allow for easy file transfer between platforms/operating systems.
Google today announced Gemini 3 with the goal of bringing “any idea to life.” The first model available in this family is Gemini 3 Pro with the rollout starting today for the Gemini app and AI Mode.
In Google Maps, Gemini already exists in place listings, and it’s now coming to the navigation experience on Android and iOS. Google equates this “hands-free, conversational driving experience” to having a “knowledgeable friend in the passenger seat who can confidently help you get where you’re going.”
We previously spotted that the Google Home app was getting a redesign with “Ask Home” and it’s now beginning to roll out for iPhone users ahead of the October 1 announcement.
Gemini in Chrome for Mac and Windows will no longer require an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription, while Google today also announced a number of upgrades.