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).
YouTube teased a “little refresh” of the mobile app’s miniplayer earlier this week, and this update is now rolling out on Android and iOS. This follows the “feedback” people sent in after the October launch.
Read More
At I/O 2025, Google announced an absolute torrent of new features, powered by Gemini and AI, across its biggest products and services that will soon be available to users. We’ve compiled all the consumer-facing announcements and notable developer developments made at the event below.
Read More
Google is bringing Gemini and Gemini Live to Chrome for Mac and Windows. The initial launch lets you ask questions about a page, while future versions will be able to navigate the web and take other actions on your behalf.
Read More
At I/O 2025, Google announced a slew of updates for the Gemini app, including the launch of 2.5 Flash and Gemini Live camera and screen sharing for iOS.
Read More
As previewed earlier this month, Google today released the NotebookLM app for Android and iOS ahead of I/O 2025.
Read More
Following the web redesign and other changes, Google is introducing a new prompt bar for the Gemini app on Android and iOS.
Read More
After announcing in March, Google Maps has rolled out a feature that can scan screenshots on your iPhone and save any found locations.
Read More
After adding lockscreen and homescreen widgets in recent weeks, Gemini now has an iPad app. Audio Overviews are also now available in more languages.
Read More
After teasing last month, Google today unveiled the design of the native NotebookLM app for Android and iPhone users.
Read More
After adding lockscreen, Control Center, and Action Button shortcuts last month, Google is updating Gemini on iPhone with homescreen widgets.
Read More
After testing earlier this year, Google is now widely rolling out a Material 3 redesign of Gmail on iPhone and iPad.
Read More
Later this year, Google will stop supporting the 1st and 2nd generation Nest Learning Thermostat. This will result in a trio of changes, though Google is offering upgrade discounts to existing owners.
Read More
Project Fi was announced 10 years ago, and Google is celebrating the MVNO’s birthday with a handful of updates for iPhone and iPad owners.
Read More
After previously offering a 50% discount, Google is now giving US college students free Gemini Advanced and Google One AI Premium for 15 months.
Read More
Following images and audio, Google is bringing video generation powered by its Veo 2 model to the Gemini app if you’re an Advanced subscriber.
Read More
Following the announcement earlier this month, Gems, or custom versions of Gemini that users can create and customize, are now more widely available for free users on the Android and iOS app.
Read More
Following the web introduction on Tuesday, Gemini Canvas is now rolling out to the Android and iOS app with a redesign of the plus menu.
Read More
As announced earlier this week, the Gemini app is getting the ability to generate Audio Overview podcasts, with Android and iOS users beginning to see this capability today.
Read More
After introducing for Android in September, YouTube Music’s AI-powered “Ask Music” radio generator is now available on the iPhone and iPad.
Read More
Following the Thursday announcement, Google is widely rolling out the latest Gemini models, including 2.0 Flash Thinking (experimental), to the web, Android, and iOS apps.
Read More
As YouTube’s role in podcasting increases, Pocket Casts announced today that its web, Mac, and Windows apps are now free with a subscription no longer required.
Read More
Following Android back in July, Google Maps is now rolling out a sheet-based redesign that replaces most fullscreen UIs in the iPhone app.
Read More
Google today is announcing and beginning testing on an “AI Mode” for Search. This “early experiment” lets you ask more complex questions that will be answered by an AI-generated response that takes up the entire page.
Read More
Apple yesterday released the latest iOS 18.4 beta and it enables support for RCS on Google Fi. iPhone users on the Google MVNO have been waiting for this improvement to Android-iOS messaging since September.
Read More