Abner Li

Editor-in-Chief at 9to5Google

editor-in-chief, @9to5google | narratives matter: open DMs, [email protected] | forever chasing: google in AR

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Articles

Pixelated 049: Reviewing the Pixel 9a

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Welcome to episode 49 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we talk about our review of the Pixel 9a.
Google on other designs it explored for the Pixel 9a camera

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Following the Pixel 9a release, Google shared more about the phone’s design, including other looks it explored for the camera. Google “explored a variety of designs for the rear camera bump,” and shared a low-resolution image of those other takes. These images show their rear camera bump shape study, which focused on its overall form and appearance as well as certain shapes’ ability to withstand drops and impact.
Somehow gemini-exp-1206 returned to the Gemini app

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

In what’s presumably a bug, the Gemini app is showing and letting users access the 2.0 Experimental Advanced (gemini-exp-1206) model again. Google announced that model in mid-December “to be exceptional at complex tasks such as coding, math, reasoning & instruction following,” and it was a user favorite. That eventually made way for 2.0 Pro Experimental in February, with 2.5 Pro (experimental) from last month currently occupying the top model position.
Google layoffs impact hundreds in Pixel, Android division

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

After offering voluntary exits in January, Google is said to have laid off “hundreds of employees” in the division responsible for Android, Chrome, Pixel, and more. This is according to The Information on Thursday evening, with Google confirming the “job reductions” in a statement to the publication and saying that it’s “focused on becoming more nimble and operating more effectively.”There are no specifics yet on whether any teams or products were particularly hard hit.
Redesigned Google Keep for Android widget rolls out

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

After starting earlier this week, Google has rolled out the redesigned Keep for Android “Quick capture” widget. Per Android’s latest Tier 1 guidelines, the widget background hits “all four edges of the bounds of the [homescreen] grid.” Previously, it was just the left/right edge for a shorter design.
Android 15 April update rolling out: Pixel camera, display fixes

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

After last month’s big update, the Android 15 April 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, and 9a. It follows a single-feature April 2025 Pixel Drop for Gemini Live’s new Astra capabilities. There are 31 security issues resolved in the Android 15 April patch dated 2025-04-01 and 31 for 2025-04-05. Vulnerabilities range from high to critical.
Pixel 9a is missing Modes, more as it’s still on Android 15 QPR1

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

After setting up and updating, your Pixel 9a will still be running Android 15 QPR1 instead of QPR2. This is Android 15 QPR1 with the April 2025 security patch, so there aren’t issues for Pixel 9a users on that front. But it’s otherwise running software that was released in December, and not the latest 15 QPR2 update that launched in March.
Google's A-Series is now its own thing

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Compared to past years, the 2025 A-Series doesn’t feel like a variant of the main line. Rather, the Google Pixel 9a is its own thing that most people will be quite happy with. Since August, I’ve been using the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily driver. At the same time, I use a Pixel 8a everyday for an hour or so to read books and other long-form. I’ve done this for years with the A-Series, and here’s my abridged history:Pixel 3a: Generic phone designed to be affordable with nice enough plastic.
Chrome 135 rolling out edge-to-edge design on Android

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

As previewed last month, Chrome 135 for Android is rolling out an edge-to-edge design for the bottom of your screen. As you scroll down a webpage, Android’s gesture navigation bar is no longer displayed against a solid background, which Chrome started theming last year. Instead, the gesture bar will appear over web content when scrolling for a more immersive experience.
Gboard’s Assistant voice typing on Pixel becomes ‘Advanced features’

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

The Google Assistant wind down on mobile continues with Gboard rebranding “Assistant voice typing” on the Pixel to just “Advanced features.” Going to Gboard Settings > Voice typing on Pixel reveals that the “Assistant voice typing” on/off toggle has been renamed to just “Advanced features.” Assistant voice typing: “Use Google Assistant to type and edit messages, add emoji, and more” Advanced features: “Use advanced voice commands to edit text, add emojis, and more” We first spotted this...