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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 Workspace, 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 augmented reality glasses.
Abner spearheads the launches, and new products.
A big area of interest is Google’s hardware division, including Pixel, Fitbit, and Nest. He detailed all of the integrate with Google Fit.
Recently, Abner bands and form factor.
Google is rolling out the latest Find Hub app update on Android, while android.com now offers a comprehensive list of compatible devices.
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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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Google has launched a new “excessive partial wake locks” metric for Android app developers that will result in Play Store warnings for end users.
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After now coming to the Google TV Streamer.
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As previously communicated, YouTube TV is sending subscribers a $20 credit in light of Disney content still not being available.
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Besides the AI-powered coach, the Fitbit redesign introduces Material 3 Expressive to the Android app.
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The Google app’s legacy voice search experience is finally being modernized with a redesign inspired by Search Live.
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Upcoming Google Wallet settings will provide a “new way for you to get more personalized recommendations” from your “purchase and pass” history.
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If you’re seeing a new icon in the top-right corner of Google Drive this morning, it’s for Google Workspace Flows.
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As the personal health coach preview gets underway, Fitbit Labs is testing more features: Unusual Trend Detection and Hypertension Study Lab.
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Since launch, the NotebookLM mobile experience has been focused on letting you listen to Audio Overviews on the go. The NotebookLM app for Android and iOS now supports flashcards and quizzes.
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Google has released a new “Theme packs” app on the Play Store for its devices that “Personalize your Pixel in one tap.”
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After adding PDF support can now directly tap information stored in your Gmail and Google Chat conversations, as well as Google Drive files.
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After giving AI Mode new floating controls on Android, the new Search experience is expanding its presence on Chrome and getting more agentic features.
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Pixel devices are getting a set of new ringtones, notification alerts, and alarm sounds via an update to the Sounds app.
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Besides navigating with Gemini, Google Maps is rolling out other AI-powered features, like landmark-based navigation.
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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.”
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Google is starting a new research moonshot called Project Suncatcher to “one day scale machine learning in space.”
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Google Maps on Android Automotive (“Google built-in”) is tapping into how modern vehicles are smartphones on wheels with a new live lane guidance capability for the Polestar 4. This essentially lets Google Maps “see” the road like a driver.
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After a updates in recent weeks, the Search Live conversational experience is getting new floating controls on Android.
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Google is updating Chrome Autofill to support passport, driver’s license number, and vehicle info.
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Ahead of Black Friday 2025, the US Google Store is unexpectedly running a deep sale on the Pixel 10 series.
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Following AI-powered live translation and language practice capability, Google Translate is adding a model picker with “Fast” and “Advanced” options.
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Following the ‘G’ and Gemini icons, Google is updating its logos for the AI era. Here’s a sneak peek at the new gradient icons for Google Photos and Maps.
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