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

Google Phone app might let set 'tap' or 'swipe' to answer calls

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

The Phone by Google app is moving closer to a redesign of the incoming call screen that lets you pick between “Single tap” or “Horizontal swipe.” About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features.
Gmail can now automatically show Gemini summary cards

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Last year, Gmail for Android and iOS introduced a summarize feature, and Gemini can now surface summary cards automatically. At launch, the Gemini-powered “Summarize this email” capability was a button underneath the subject line that you had to manually tap. Doing so would slide up the Gemini sheet with the requested bullet points.
Wear OS 6 brings media controls, other UI to the always-on display (AOD)

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

With Wear OS 6, Google is finally addressing how most parts of the interface, like media controls, lack an always-on display (AOD). With the introduction of Wear OS 3, most apps — exceptions include Google Maps (navigation), Keep (notes/list), and Spotify (now playing) — don’t have an AOD when you put your wrist down. Instead, the screen will blur and show the time.
Gemini Live camera and screen sharing more widely rolling out to iPhone

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Following the announcement at I/O 2025 last week, Google is more widely rolling out Gemini Live camera and screen sharing to the iPhone and iPad app. Once available, you’re greeted with a “Share your camera or screen with Gemini Live” prompt: “Talk through ideas, learn about your environment, or get help with what’s on your screen.”Upon launching Gemini Live from the waveform badged with a sparkle icon in the bottom-right corner, you’ll notice two new buttons in the bottom row.
Google removes old ‘Find your phone’ ring, use Find Hub website instead

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Recently, Google has changed the legacy “Find your phone” method that some Android owners have used to ring their lost or misplaced phone. In short, people should now use the new Find Hub experience. For many years, the first result people saw when searching “find my phone” was a link to a Google Account page: myaccount.google.com/find-your-phone-guide. In general, this site is for editing personal information, changing account-level settings, etc. 2019 vs.
Google Messages updating ‘New chat’ contacts list to show who has RCS

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Google Messages is rolling out a tweaked “New chat” page to let you immediately check which contacts have RCS enabled. After tapping the “Start chat” FAB (floating action button) in the bottom-right corner, you’re now taken to a “New chat” page. This list of all your contacts was previously titled “New conversation.” The term “chat” is more closely aligned with RCS. The big change here is how Google now highlights contacts that have “RCS” enabled with a badge at the right-hand side.
Search Live should just replace and be called ‘Google Lens’

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Search Live feels like the spiritual, if not technological, successor to Google Lens. In fact, I think it should replace Google Lens entirely. 9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits. Sign up here!This upcoming capability lets you have a back-and-forth conversation with Search, while surfacing a carousel of links right in the fullscreen interface.
Gemini in Google Drive can now analyze videos

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

The latest feature for the Gemini side panel in Google Drive (on the web) is the ability to “get summaries and ask questions about the content of videos.”After you open the video player, tap the Gemini icon in the top-right corner to launch the side panel. You get a “Summary of this content,” as well as suggested prompts for “Outline the key takeaways” and “List action items,” which are handy if your company records meetings.
The difference between Gemini and Search AI Mode is an assistant

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Even with both products eventually offering a “Live” feature, I think the difference between the Gemini app and AI in Google Search is now pretty clear. However, having two products that do similar things is inelegant, and might pose some confusion for most users. 9to5Google has a rebooted newsletter that highlights the biggest Google stories with added commentary and other tidbits.
Google Photos turns 10 with major editor redesign, QR code sharing

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Abner Li

Google Photos was announced at I/O 2015 and the company is now celebrating the app’s 10th birthday with a redesign of the photo editor. Google is redesigning the Photos editor so that it “provides helpful suggestions and puts all our powerful editing tools in one place.”It starts with a new fullscreen viewer that places the date, time, and location at the top of your screen. Meanwhile, it’s now Share, Edit, Add to (instead of Lens), and Trash at the bottom.