Material
728 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★ - 80 ratingsMaterial is a weekly discussion about the Google and Android universe. Your intrepid hosts try to answer the question, “What holds up the digital world?” The answer, so far, is that it’s Google all the way down. Hosted by Andy Ihnatko and Florence Ion.
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Episodes
410: Speaking Out
May 05, 2023 00:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBAndy's solo this week, starting with some prep on what to expect next week from Google I/O. Google's AI researcher quits the company just as everything is heating up. And what will an alliance between Google and Apple look like to cut down on stalking with Bluetooth trackers?
409: Wouldn't It Be Nice?
April 28, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBGoogle's quarterly earnings are out this week. There's good news, and then there's some tepid numbers. Then, checking in with all those Chromebooks purchased at the height of the pandemic.
408: Moving Fast, Breaking Things
April 21, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBWhy is Google rushing to push out its AI product before it's ready? And what do the employees inside Google HQ think about it? Then, a respite with a look at the leaks of Pixel hardware that will be revealed at Google I/O.
407: The Chopping Block
April 14, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBIt's springtime for Android users. The Android 14 public beta is out this week, just in time for Google to kill two more of its beloved products. Which ones are on the chopping block this time?
406: Get Outta My Dreams
April 07, 2023 03:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBAndy gives his review of the Chromecast HD. Google launches Android Nearby Share for Windows in beta, plus "cross-device services" for parity between ChromeOS and Android. Why is GM planning to phase out platforms like Android Auto in the car? And Google backtracks to let you upload as many files as you like.
405: Total Transparency
March 31, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 72.2 MBGoogle launches its new ads transparency center this week, and there is Bard drama fitting of a soap opera. Google also used this week to kill off the best part of having a Fitbit.
404: Error
March 24, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBAndy and Flo get access to Bard, and that's all they're talking about. There are two new significant security vulnerabilities affecting Pixel smartphones. What a polarizing week!
403: Catch 22
March 17, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBWill Google I/O 2023 turn out to be a hardware show? The rumor mill certainly thinks so. We'll discuss Google's plans to infuse AI into Workspace, Samsung's "space zoom" controversy, and the YouTube TV price increase.
402: Reading the Tea Leaves
March 10, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBYouTube has a new CEO, so we officially say goodbye to Susan Wojcicki and the legacy left behind. Google also revealed when Google I/O 2023 will take place. And Disney thinks it's cheeky putting Baby Yoda into search.
401: Super Quick Charging
March 03, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 66.2 MBFlo and Andy break down the weirdest and whackiest bits from this week's Mobile World Congress, including folding smartphones and ones that charge too fast. We're not too sure about the Motorola Rizr with a rollable display. Nokia has a budget-priced easy-to-repair smartphone in the U.K., the Pixel Watch finally has fall detection, and Google introduced new widgets this week for Keep.
400: Ash Wednesday
February 24, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBWe didn't expect this episode to be so _religious_, but what else did you expect from our 400th episode? We're celebrating our podcast about Google just as a recent ex-Googler spills the I-just-quit tea to everyone willing to read.
399: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
February 17, 2023 23:00 - 56 minutes - 52 MBGoogle's chatbot hasn't been officially released, and yet it's delivering a cornucopia of interesting tidbits. Flo is still out this week, so consider this part two of Andy catching you up on how Google is scrambling to join the AI race.
398: Late to the Game
February 15, 2023 01:30 - 1 hour - 95.2 MBThis week's podcast is a beautiful primer on everything that's been going on with Google lately, and you'll want to tune in if you wonder why everyone's scratching their heads at the company lately. Andy will walk you through Google's latest earnings call, including where it's making money and losing it. Plus, what that AI-based event in Paris was all about, and why Google employees aren't too thrilled with Bard, the so-called ChatGPT competitor.
397: Gauche
February 06, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBIt's been a week. We'll recap everything we saw at Samsung Unpacked and then some. We'll talk about the new SmartThings Station, why Flo's smart home is a mess, and why the Galaxy S23 Ultra is kind of boring. Then, why Google is shaking in its bones about ChatGPT and what it plans to do to outrun it.
396: Google's Horrible, No Good Week
January 27, 2023 23:00 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBYet again, Flo is out sick this week. But thankfully, we have Andy to hold down the fort and explain why it's been an alarming week for Google. First, there were massive layoffs, with news that resonated through the zeitgeist. And then, the US Department of Justice came down with the antitrust banhammer. What will happen to Google next?
395: Society's Challenges
January 20, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBAndy and Flo catch up before discussing the not-so-wild rumor that Google is working on its version of Apple's AirTag tracking mechanism. Then, why is Google pushing its work in AI so hard this week? Does the company doth press release too much? We'll also discuss why the Google Podcasts app may not be long for this world--or at least its integration into search results.
394: The Mess After CES
January 13, 2023 02:00 - 1 hour - 63.3 MBYour co-hosts pull it together to bring you a super-sized episode about CES 2023. What did Flo see, touch, hear, and feel? A bit too much all at once, as CES is absolute sensory overload. But in the midst of it was some noteworthy news about satellite connectivity coming to Android smartphones, Google's services in the car, and a giant tablet that should reconsider life as a Chromebook.
393: Bing Certainly Tries
January 07, 2023 22:00 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBMicrosoft is coming after Google by infusing Bing with ChatGPT—should Google be concerned? Then, Big Tech had massive layoffs this week while folks were down in Vegas checking out new gadgets. Will that include Google, too? Andy will also walk you through January's Pixel security update.
392: Too Big to Fail
December 31, 2022 04:15 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBHappy new year! Our last episode of the year features a deep dive into why Google should worry about technology like ChatGPT coming for its money-maker. We'll also discuss whether Google has a responsibility to deplatform apps like TikTok for being _extremely_ bad actors. Plus, the Pixel 7 is named "Phone of the Year" even if the camera lenses seem to combust spontaneously.
391: Christmas Economics
December 24, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBHappy Christmas eve! Andy shares his favorite app for the holiday to take pictures of things you need to last forever. Then, we get into Google's latest "macroeconomic conditions" and why it's a little silly that the Pixel Tablet leaked in its entirety on Facebook Marketplace. We also discuss some of the results of MKBHD's "smartphone camera of the year" poll.
390: Inflection Point
December 16, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBAndy and Flo have reunited again after both taking trips out of town. We talk about Google playing it cool around ChatGPT and how Android Auto taught Flo to understand the metric system. We also discuss YouTube's new moderation tactics and two new interactive games from Google.
389: A Simple Tweak, a Familiar Tool
December 09, 2022 18:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBFlo is on vacation, but Andy's holding it down in a special solo show. Surprise, surprise: Google's made some changes to one of its beloved apps, and it might change the way you're used to doing things. Then, Andy takes a peek at Google's online gift shop.
388: Naughtiness
December 02, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 61 MBAndy spent some cash over the holiday, and Flo is still wondering where to spend her Google Store store credit. We'll discuss the $9 million penalty that Google and iHeartRadio have to pay for deceptive Pixel 4 ads, plus the $5 Billion Google will owe Play Store customers if the latest class action suit goes terribly. We'll also lament over how hard it is to move to Mastodon.
387: Gobble, Gobble
November 23, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 69.2 MBIt's our annual listen-to-us-while-cooking episode! Andy and Flo regale what's on the docket this turkey/tofurkey holiday, then count down the most worthy of Google's Black Friday deals. Be sure to listen in if you're shopping!
386: Hazmat Playsuit
November 18, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 62.8 MBAndy and Flo wonder what's next in social media. The two friends talk about Google's $400 million location-tracking faux pas, though Apple doesn't have clean hands either. Then, a new beta feature in DuckDuckGo to keep Android apps from tracking your activity.
385: According to an Email
November 11, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBYouTube Kids remains questionable, and Andy has found a sincere appreciation for the Nest Hub. We'll discuss how to get your refunds from Google's defunct Stadia cloud gaming platform and what it's like to play PC games on a Chromebook. We also chat about what's next from Fitbit and its plans for a kid-centric device.
384: Grey Text
November 09, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.9 MBLast week's podcast, today! 'Tis the season for sickness, but we're back in your ears with two episodes this week. First up: Andy does a solo show where he recaps his Nest WiFi Pro experience and notes from Google's AI@ day.
383: No Defense
October 28, 2022 03:00 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBThis week, Flo wonders why her Google search page is rife with ads, and Andy is excited over his Nest WiFi Pro on the way. The two friends discuss Alphabet's third-quarter earnings call this week. Plus, updates to the Google Home and YouTube apps.
382: Clock’s Ticking
October 22, 2022 02:00 - 1 hour - 64.3 MBLately, Andy and Flo's world has revolved around getting the know their Pixel Watch review units. Then, we chat about _The Information_'s report that Google is scaling back on the Assistant and what we think of this week's Messages update.
381: Pixels Pixels Pixels
October 15, 2022 04:15 - 1 hour - 67.2 MBThe two friends made it to the opera! Andy and Flo recap last week's Google Pixel boot camp. Then, we discuss our first impressions of the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch.
380: Convince Me, Google
October 06, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBIt's the eve of the Pixel event. Flo is feeling crummy, and Andy has sandwich fantasies. Will these two friends finally make it to the opera? Find out next week! Until then, here's a rundown of the new Nest devices Google introduced this week, including a highly-anticipated update to the Google Home app.
379: The TikTok-ification of Search
September 30, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 73.6 MBFlo is still under the weather, making it the perfect time to test out the new Chromecast with Google TV HD. Andy's got the iPhone 14 Pro. We'll run down the major parts of Google's Search On event this week. And we'll explain why we're not surprised that Google shuttered Stadia.
378: It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Day
September 23, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBAndy is tired of diehards, and Flo is taking a break from the Apple Watch. We get into what's coming from Google, including the newly announced Chromecast with Google TTV (HD). Plus, Framework is making a modular Chromebook, Google Arts & Culture dropped a cool game, and we're _loling_ over LOLNeRF.
377: Macroeconomics
September 16, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBFlo is back! And Andy brought a cake! It's the best way to start a podcast between two friends who have missed one another. Flo and Andy discuss the new iPhone 14 Pro and why it's compelling. They also strategize what Google needs to do to make the Pixel 7 a hit. Then, a bit of an update on all the goings-on internally at Google. Last week, Sundar Pichai was at the Code Conference talking about cutting down the Alphabet workforce. It's a bit worrying after the news that Google shut down the...
376: Hootenanny and a Half
September 09, 2022 23:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBFlo will be back next week, so enjoy this week's last Andy solo show for a while. It was Apple event week, so there was lots of Apple vs. Google talk. Andy walks through some of the iPhone 14/14 Pro and Apple Watch's new features and where Android could do better. And then, a call out to Tim Cook, who would rather have you buy your mom an iPhone than open up iMessage to Android users. Le sigh!
375: A Forgotten Psychological Disorder
September 06, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBIt's another Andy solo show this week because Flo got the stupid virus. Always in solidarity, Andy spends the first part of this week's podcast reminding you why you should wear that mask. Then, Andy gets into the Google news of the week, including new widgets and rumors sprouting up on what Android 14 could feature. And on the search engine side, Andy explains how the company is gearing up for this year's U.S. midterm elections.
374: Tough Stuff
August 26, 2022 23:30 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBSometimes, things are tough, which is what this week's episode is about: tough stuff. Flo tells the story of why it was challenging to write her Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review, and Andy lifts our spirits with his proposed plans for Halloween. Then, we walk you through this week's biggest _non_ technical headlines. **Content warning for talk of COVID and CSAM.**
373: This Is Not a Sitcom
August 19, 2022 01:00 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBAndy is solo again because Flo's throat is out of commission. But that means it's an Andy story hour! Andy starts by explaining why Apple's Twiggy drives are one of the company's biggest engineering failures--and one of the most expensive collector's items. Then, Andy gets into the rant that he and Flo were planning to tag-team. Google Play's episodes tend to come through a little later than everyone else, which has led us to buy and stream things elsewhere. Andy also covers Android 13's Pi...
372: Get The Message
August 12, 2022 01:30 - 1 hour - 76 MBAndy and Flo are happy to be reunited. They tell tales of their favorite New York City times and discuss the hard choice of going out during still-COVID times. Then, the two gawk and squee over everything Samsung announced this week, from its foldables to its buds. And they offer their expert opinion on why Google's #getthemessage campaign is too little too late.
371: All Your Questions Answered
August 06, 2022 04:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBAndy's doing another solo show this week, as Flo is off on assignment. It's a bummer because Flo would have loved participating in this week's opening banter on Jerry Lewis and Andy's Google Home Mini. Andy discusses Samsung's new repair mode on its Galaxy smartphones and Stadia's exit from the Google Store. He also performs a live reaction to a video Apple posted this week convincing Android users to come to iOS.
370: Sustainable Value
July 29, 2022 22:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBThis week, we're checking in with Google. The Q2 2022 financial results are out, and while the Search Giant is doing fine, it will have to rethink a few other elements of the business. (Chromebooks aren't doing so hot!) Then, a few updates: Gmail's Material Redesign is rolling out to everyone, and Google Maps adds a few new helpful features. We'll also discuss some new features to ChromeOS next month, including virtual desks and video editing.
369: And Now, For Some Distractions
July 22, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBAndy is melting, but he's still intact enough to sit and chat with Flo about what makes the Google Pixel 6a so compelling. Reviews came out this week, including Flo's, and we're going through all the reasons why you might want Google's mid-ranger. Don't forget that the Pixel Buds Pro is also on the roster. Then, we'll discuss Google's latest Glass experiments and what to expect. We also wish a friend luck on an endeavor into waters that have been proven murky.
368: Where Did Google Stuff the Bodies?
July 15, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBDon't worry. The podcast isn't grim this week. We're talking about physical staffers at Google _right now_ and why the company is imposing a hiring slowdown to deal with the recession. But before we get into that, we'll tell you about Flo's experience with the Nothing Phone (1) and where she thinks it fits into the global Android zeitgeist. We'll also tell you why Google worries about TikTok and Instagram taking away precious eyes.
367: Only Tangentially
July 10, 2022 02:00 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBAndy's enthusiasm for Sir Paul McCartney's live stream is infectious. Your hosts check up on their Nexus Q auctions before getting into the week's biggest tangential news: there might be ads coming to your Lock Screen. We'll also discuss Google's new policies to protect your health-related search queries and tell you a tale of YouTube's latest folly.
366: 'Tis The Times
July 01, 2022 16:00 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBThe new localized Waymo commercials in San Francisco are palatably saccharine, and Flo feels a certain way. This week's podcast will dive into the latest case where law enforcement is forcing Google to hand over incriminating data and what that means for the U.S. now that _Roe v. Wade_ is overturned. We'll also cover why Google created a new subsidiary to serve its public sector contracts. Then, because Google's hardware is the best distraction, we'll go through some of the latest rumors su...
365: The Death of Google Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
June 23, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBNo, Google is not dead, but a pundit on the internet thinks it is! Andy and Flo use this prompt to kick off this week's conversation. The consensus seems to be that it's not dead yet. The web has just changed. Afterward, we'll talk about why lawmakers urge Google to fix abortion searches that suggest fake clinics instead of verified ones. We'll also discuss Google News' new look, plus Google's massive new open-source library of 3D scans.
364: How to Minister to Artificial Intelligence
June 17, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBAndy and Flo wonder why the new Chromecast ambient mode is cluttered with widgets before they get into a recent whistleblower's claims that Google's LaMDA is a sentient being. (It's not.) We'll explain the what, why, and no-how of last weekend's most trending Google story. Then, it looks like iPhones are getting some Googley abilities. We'll cheekily walk you through all the features Android had first. Finally, Andy will explain why the new Pixel update fixes an overlooked audio essential.
363: No More Spoilers
June 10, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBAndy fixed his Pixelbook display problem, and Flo can't stop watching _Columbo_. This week, your hosts talk about why Google canceled a presentation on caste bias and why folks are asking the company to take action against radicalism festering inside its work walls. Then, we'll lighten things up with the latest Android 13 Beta 3 and our favorite parts of the recent Pixel feature drop.
362: Farewell To Thee, Google Duo
June 03, 2022 23:45 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBAndy and Flo get a little bit into the _Star War_ after Andy explains why he started the podcast a little flustered with the Google Pixelbook. This week, we're talking about why Google is deprecating Duo and rolling it up into Meet and what that means for the rest of us who just figured out how to use these things. Then, did you know there was another Pixel hardware leak? These things keep popping up in the wild. We'll also muse a bit over Google's new campus and how we wish our work-from-hom...
361: No Rage Buying
May 27, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBWe're all doing the best that we can. Andy is wondering if it's worth going to the movies in person this weekend to see _Bob's Burgers_, and Flo is over the Google Assistant on her Samsung smartwatch. We'll bring you to speed on other wearables news, including updates on the unreleased Pixel Watch. Then, we celebrate Street View's 15th birthday by realizing how important it is to archive a moment in time, and we explain why it's unfair that Google's contractors can't work from home.