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.
Another big area of interest is Google’s burgeoning hardware division. He detailed all of the Pixel 3’s camera features before launch and got wind of Stadia’s hardware controller. Most recently, Abner scooped the 2nd-generation Nest Hub’s Soli-powered Sleep Sensing capability and how it would integrate with Google Fit.
Send tips/talk to abner@9to5mac.com or @technacity (open DMs).
Google Glass has seen a number of developments in recent weeks with the most significant being a wider launch of the Enterprise Edition. Meanwhile, the Explorer Editions and the Android companion app received their first updates in nearly three years. Over the weekend, Google has gone ahead and updated the iOS version of MyGlass with 64-bit support.
Last month saw YouTube TV expand to 10 more markets around the U.S. Today, the $35 per month cord cutting service is launching in an additional 14 locations, with Google’s cable competitor now available for residents of 29 areas around the country.
Being the default search engine on iOS is highly lucrative for Google, with Apple’s devices predicted to account for approximately 50% of Google’s mobile search revenue. So much so that one financial firm estimates that Google will pay Apple $3 billion this year to remain the default.
Earlier this year, YouTube launched a new private video sharing functionality for the service on mobile. After first launching in Canada and then expanding to the rest of North America, the Shared tab is now rolling out globally.
Last year, Facebook poached Regina Dugan, the head of Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects, to lead a new hardware group. Building 8’s first products are now coming into light as a new report notes the development of a HomePod smart speaker competitor and a video chat device. For those that remember Mark Zuckerburg’s security advice from last year, the rumors of these new products come with some irony.
Version 60 of Google Chrome is rolling out now to macOS with the long awaited Touch Bar support. This release also adds support for a number of developer-focused features, including the Payment Request API and an updated Credential Management API.
As announced last month, YouTube TV is now available in 10 more locations around the United States. For $35 per month, users can watch the Big Four networks, sports, and other cable channels on iOS and Apple TV (via AirPlay) clients that feature an unlimited DVR for saving movies and TV shows.
After a brief delay last month, Google’s Backup and Sync desktop app for Mac is now available for download. With this revamped client, only one application is needed to back up files on a desktop to Google Photos and Drive.
Google Photos is beginning to rollout Suggested Sharing and Shared Libraries following their announcement at I/O 2017 last month. The first feature recommends images to share, while the latter allows entire libraries to be continuously shared with another person.
Since Gmail’s launch in 2004, one point of frequent contention was how the free service scanned emails to show tailored ads. Google has today announced that it is ending this personalization practice in Gmail later this year.
Google currently has separate desktop clients to back up to Google Drive and Photos. With the upcoming Backup and Sync for Mac, the company is replacing the Drive client with a new app that features better integration.
Google Search on mobile is adding a new view that better surfaces and summarizes events from sites like Eventbrite and Ticketmaster. Available on iOS, users will now be able to filter based on location and other factors.
While Apple is rumored to announce a Siri Speaker at WWDC aimed as a high-end Echo competitor, Amazon is readying an Alexa device with a built-in display. In a leaked image, the new device is more monolithic, featuring a touchscreen and possibly a camera.
Google Maps is adding a small, but very useful feature that lets users save where they parked. Available on both iOS and Android, the feature can also provide reminders for when your parking meter is about to expire.
Apple Music for Android has received a huge revamp today to match the release of iOS 10 for iPhone and iPad last September. That redesign is now making its way to the streaming service’s Android app. The interface is nearly identical with features like iOS 10-specific features including lyrics and an improved Library available on Android for the first time.
With a focus on parts of the world that have slower connectivity, Google updated Photos today to have faster backup and sharing, while the Duo video chatting app received an audio-only mode.
With the launch of Allo and Duo last year, Google telegraphed that Hangouts would become an enterprise product. Today, the service is being fully revamped into Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. The former is a Slack-like group chat app, while the latter improves video conferencing.
YouTube has finally announced its long-rumored online television service that doesn’t require a cable subscription. Known simply as YouTube TV, it features local broadcast networks and channels like ESPN for $35 a month.
Update: The redesigned Google Voice app is now available on the App Store.
Back in 2009, Google launched an ambitious voice-forwarding service that allowed users to maintain one number across multiple devices. Today, Google Voice received its first major update in years that sees a redesigned web interface, iOS app, and the promise of continued updates.
With the addition of intelligent Goals last year, Google Calendar became more than just a regular scheduling and to-do app. Today, the iOS app is gaining Apple Health integration that will automatically mark as finished and adjust your fitness-related Goals.
Following new features for Google’s other photo apps this morning, Motion Stills is getting a major update that allows you to add text that tracks an object in a video, super-resolution videos, and automatic cinemagraphs.
According to a number of sources, Fitbit is on the verge of acquiring smartwatch maker Pebble. The deal comes as both companies are facing declining fortunes in the wearable industry. Notably, this acquisition will reportedly see the Pebble brand phased out.
Pokémon Go’s popularity has significantly declined since its summer release. Most updates have been minor, with Niantic hosting in-game events that let players collect more points. While a ‘Nearby’ feature has been highly requested, the current revision that’s now seeing a wider rollout has also been significantly curbed.
Google Photos is getting a number of updates today that improve the editing experience through machine learning and more manual controls. Additionally, a standalone PhotoScan app for iOS allows you to digitize your old physical prints with just your phone’s camera.