Material
728 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 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
310: Entry-level
June 04, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBHappy Pride month! We're talking about what Google is doing to celebrate and what it can do to be a better ally to its LGBTQ+ employees. Andy loves his new iPad so much he can't stop talking about it. And Flo comes to terms with what it really means to "choose" Google. We also go through the latest reviews of the Pixel Buds A-series.
309: The Dark Side of the Algorithm
May 28, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBGoogle I/O may be over, but the hangover remains. Andy and Flo discuss some of the darker sides of last week's keynote announcements, particularly those related to artificial intelligence. But we also cover the exciting new Pixel 6 rumors. Plus, stayed tuned for a little Google Photos PSA, as unlimited uploads will end on June 1.
308: So Much New Stuff
May 21, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 71.9 MBIt's Google I/O week, and though it was all virtual this year, oh-my-God is there still so much to talk about! We discuss all that Google revealed at the opening keynote and gush over the new and totally customizable Material You.
307: The Deets
May 14, 2021 02:00 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBThings have really slowed down to a snail's pace, so Flo is playing games with the Razer Kishi controller for Android. We pretend to be Hollywood gossip columnists relating the latest saga between YouTube TV and Roku and then speculate on what's happening at Google I/O next week. And fans of _The Office_ are going to love Google Search's latest easter egg.
306: What’s Going Onn?
May 07, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBAndy starts us off by getting into the YouTube of it all. The Google I/O schedule is up, and we're intrigued. We talk about Google's new Google TV-like home screen for Walmart's Onn tablets and why Roku and YouTube are still feuding. Then, how we're feeling about Google's multiyear partnership with the WNBA.
305: A Very Profitable Business
April 30, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBFlo switched to the Pixel 5, and Andy's Pixelbook revived in time to beg him not to buy the new iPad Pro. Google had a great quarter, and we're gonna tell you all about it. Plus, it turns out that COVID-19 contact tracing on Android wasn't so private after all. And why YouTube TV on Roku might be nearing its end of days.
304: Engage Smug Mode
April 23, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBHow can we not? We talk about Apple's announcements this week from an Android user's perspective. Plus, why Google FLoC isn't flying high, and the sad dystopia of Google Maps' emergency alerts. Note that there's a serious content warning for this episode as we discuss gun violence toward the end.
303: Workflow Vulnerability
April 16, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBFlo got the ginormous OnePlus Watch, and Andy's Pixelbook keyboard has gone kaput. We chat about Android's continued troubles with unified messages, how ad-blockers kept us from getting the show out this week, and why the Google Earth Timelapse feature is an important one to share with others.
302: Thanks For All The Phones
April 09, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBDespite the flurry of news this week, Andy and Flo find some time for a subjective point of view. We walk you through Google's win at the Supreme Court and what a Pixel-perfect system-on-a-chip looks like. We attempt a bit of hype for the all-virtual Google I/O 2021, the dates of which were announced this week. Then, say goodbye to LG as we walk through our favorite phones. And hear how Andy is doing with the Nest Hub's built-in sleep tracking capabilities. Don't forget to sign up for the M...
301: The Eco-friendly Route
April 02, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBWe're still pumping the good vibes this week. Andy reminds us there are some real treasure troves available to stream on YouTube, and Flo wants to know if you have any questions about the OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro that you'd like answered? Then we tell the tale of how Google simultaneously discovered and shut down a nine-month hacking operation. We also dissect a new privacy feature coming to Android, YouTube's experimentation with hiding how many people "disliked" a video, and why Google Ma...
300: Not Just Another Material Podcast
March 25, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBIt's been 300 episodes of the Material podcast! We have cake! We have commemorative Oreos! And we have a rundown of our favorite tombstones in the Google Graveyard. We'll give you a bit of the week's news, too, plus what you get when you do a Google search for the number "300."
299: Incognito Mode
March 18, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 70 MBFlo is freaking out over signing her kid up for a Google account, while Andy is completely locked out of his. We gush over the shiny new gadget announcements this week, including the second-generation Nest Hub and the affordable Samsung Galaxy A52. We also discuss why Google is in trouble for its Incognito Mode and how YouTube creators are getting more control over copyright infringement.
298: 10 Years of Burner Laptops
March 11, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBAndy and Flo take a walk down memory lane to celebrate 10 years of Chromebooks. We recap the dawn of the cloud-based machines, and we'll clue you in on the new features Google announced to mark the anniversary. We also cover a not-so-celebratory news report out of NBC News. Plus, Google is the most trusted company, though _not_ when it comes to self-driving cars. Remember, you can send us an email at [[email protected]](mailto: [email protected]) with your comments and conce...
297: Look At All These Rumors
March 04, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBThis week's episode is a reminder that it's our data in exchange for all those perks we get for free on the internet. We talk about Google's attempted "privacy-first" initiative and what to expect from the latest Pixel feature drop. Then we lighten things up a bit with some future-facing device rumors. And, we're still answering your emails from years ago.
296: Let Them Speak Their Own Words
February 26, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBThis week, we point you to all the people doing the talking: from newly fired ethical AI researcher Margaret Mitchell to the remaining Googlers on the team waving back in solidarity with their departed colleagues. We tell you why California ended its COVID-19 testing partnership with Verily and why "Hey Google" isn't working on your WearOS smartwatch. And we're still catching up on long ago listener feedback.
295: The New Deal
February 18, 2021 22:45 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBA little bit of astrology to start us off for this episode, along with why Andy gave up on Wear OS and bought a FitBit. We talk about Google's new deal with News Corp in Australia and the US and what the enthusiast community has unearthed about the upcoming Android 12. Plus, a quick update on Fuschia OS.
294: A Puckish Jest
February 12, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 56.3 MBAndy's buying little outfits for his Nest Minis, and this is one of the last times we'll ever bring up Google Play Music. After the ad, we discuss Google's latest earnings report to investors and where all that money is going. And, Flo gets flustered over Android 12's blush aesthetic. It is times like these when a respiratory monitor built into your smartphone is a good idea.
293: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
February 05, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 69.7 MBFlo's Chromecast with Google TV gets stuck in a boot loop, and Andy wonders whether his investment in a Stadia controller will ever pay off. Then, why two Google engineers resigned over the firing of AI ethics researcher Timnit Gebru.
292: Being Google
January 29, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBWhat's Google up to this week? The company faces a standoff Down Under and refuses to validate conspiracy theories through its employee-contributed PAC. We also bid adieu to Google's Project Loon and its VR painting app, Tilt Brush.
291: Very Superstitious
January 21, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBAndy and Flo lament about internet caps and other things out of their control. We discuss why Google is investigating another one of its top AI ethicists and how ex-Google engineer, Anthony Levandowski, got off scot-free for spilling trade-secrets. We opine on the future of Wear OS now that the Fitbit acquisition is finalized.
290: Complex Feelings
January 15, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBWhy did Google Maps bother showing us our stats from the year prior? Doesn't it know we want to leave it behind? Andy tells us why he's flirting with Stadia, just as LG announces it's bundling the cloud gaming platform with its TVs. We discuss why Google is pausing political advertising for the month and whether there were any worthy announcements from this year's virtual CES. Then briefly, a bit on the Assistant's new Guest Mode.
289: And There, Ambitions End
January 08, 2021 18:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBThe first episode of 2021 is all about doing out with the old and in with the new. Flo starts us off with why she's putting the Chromecast with Google TV on all the screens. Then, we'll discuss Google and YouTube's responses to this week's attempted insurrection at Capitol Hill and get into the details of the Alphabet Workers Union. Plus, one mad genius's successful attempt at running all major operating systems on a Pixelbook, and we take a look at the Google Home's new scheduling features.
288: Sayonara 2020
December 31, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 74.8 MBFlo and Andy share the highs and lows of their pandemic Christmas holiday. We'll then talk about the biggest Google search trends of 2020 and what it revealed about this hell year. Plus, what's in store for Google in 2021.
287: A Very Material Christmas
December 24, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBIt's a holiday week, but Google is still doing some kerfuffling. Andy and Flo sandwich the news between two slices of holiday cheer, plus some good news about the Nexus 7—yes, _that_ Nexus 7. And don't worry, kids: Santa is still delivering presents this year, and you can track his journey through the Google Assistant! Happy holidays, friends. Thank you for being here.
286: Media Preppers
December 18, 2020 02:00 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBAndy tries to plant his own koala in the Christmas tree but to no avail, and the Google Home Max is officially dunzo. We'll tell you why you couldn't read your Gmail this week and how Google plans to breathe new life into expired PCs and Macs. Before we sign off, Andy regales us with a bit of operatic knowledge.
285: A Summary
December 11, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBFlo is back from taking her Project Baseline COVID test, and she'll tell us all about it. Then, it's all about Dr. Timnit Gebru. We'll tell you who she is, why she was fired from Google Brain, and what's transpired in the days since. We'll also talk about why you want ethics in artificial intelligence and what Google's losing with her sudden departure. And don't worry, we'll cleanse the palate with a cute Christmas critter from Down Under.
284: Every Day is Labor Day
December 04, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBFlo is out sick, but Andy is still on it. The week's top stories include Andy's Black Friday finds and the span of Google's major labor troubles. Everything from why the National Labor Relations Board is going after Google to why it might have fired well-known AI ethicist Timnit Gebru. Andy also loses his mind over a DeepMind AI breakthrough, then cleanses your palate by asking Google for some holiday cheer.
283: Commitment Problems
November 28, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 66.5 MBAndy and Flo are here for your holiday weekend to tell you what's on sale and what's worth buying now that warehouses everywhere are clearing out stock. We also discuss Google separating emojis from the system update cycle and why The Go-Gos are worth a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
282: Vamping and Revamping
November 20, 2020 06:00 - 1 hour - 69.1 MBGoogle has lots of little updates for us this week from Google Pay, Google Fit, Google Chrome, and even Google cast, with the company confirming Nest Audio and Chromecast with Google TV integration is on the horizon. Admittedly, we're also a little bummed that YouTube won't be releasing a "YouTube Rewind" video for 2020.
281: And The Shoe Keeps Dropping
November 13, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBAndy experiences an earthquake, and Google tells him all about it. We discuss what President-Elect Biden's Administration could look like for Big Tech and why we're mourning the loss of unlimited photo backup to Google Photos. We congratulate Eric Schmidt for winning citizenship in a country once known for being a picturesque tax haven.
280: The Next American President
November 06, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBAndy and Flo keep it quick this week because we know you've got some nail-biting to get back to. We discuss YouTube's failure at stifling U.S. election misinformation, plus what "Internet Imperialists" do with their time off. We also discuss the pros and cons of using a Google VPN, the latest manufacturing drama with the Pixel 5, and why folks are still kvetching en masse about the new Google app icons.
279: Insults and Absurdities
October 30, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.9 MBHappy Halloween! This week's tantalizingly scary podcast is made even more so by an intense and thorough breakdown of the latest in congressional whining. We point out the atrocities and absurdities, plus the casual racism flung toward Sundar Pichai. We also discuss Stadia's Very Bad, No Good Social Media Day, and we pay homage to the Google apps and services that have gone to the other side.
278: Malarkey
October 22, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 76 MBIt really is a week of pure malarkey, as Google is not only put through the wringer by the Department of Justice but called out for providing its AI tech for border surveillance—yes, _that_ border. To lighten things up, we try humming songs for Google to guess.
277: Partitioning Our Brains
October 15, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 77.7 MBAndy's sick of Chrome's "phishing" attempts and Flo resents Google Maps spilling the beans on generations-old secrets. We go deep into the House of Representatives' recent anti-trust report and its consensus on Google, then steer it back up with some helpful new accessible Android features. We implore you to try out Google's new art filters in its Arts and Culture app; it's a great way to make yourself look like Van Gough must have felt.
276: 90 Million Dollar Tumor
October 09, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 95.3 MBIt's another packed episode this week. Flo and Andy discuss the perilous lure of nostalgia, plus the other big Google news that occurred the week of the big Pixel event and what it means for the company's employees. We gush over our new hardware; Flo has the Nest Audio and Andy has the Chromecast with Google TV. We end with a little about how Google is working to help detect sign language in chat apps.
275: Feature Drop
October 02, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 89.2 MBIt's everything and so much more. Andy and Flo recall the days of yore when they could eat molten chocolate lava cakes in dingy restaurants, before running down nearly everything Google announced at this week's Launch Night In. (For those who just want the news, we start at about 20 minutes in.) We go in-depth about the Chromecast with Google TV—including Flo's first 24 hours with it—the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, and the Nest Audio. Plus, a rundown of the virtual event.
274: Put a Ring On It
September 25, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBFlo is hoping that Google figures out a way to keep kids from growing up too fast and Andy finally commits to the Pixel 4a. We talk about how Chrome OS is also doing a bunch of growing on its own. Then, why Google is adopting a hybrid work-from-home model and how to use the new COVID transmission layer on Google Maps. For those on Android 11, we help you unlock the secret kitty game. _Kitties!_
273: Google's 99 Problems
September 17, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBThis week, another ode to the Gympie-Gympie Bush as we hear from a listener about new discoveries from science labs down under. We discuss Apple's announcements and the features we'd borrow for Android and why Google is tightening its internal message boards. We explain how Senators are grilling Google in the latest anti-trust hearings, and what to expect from its next hardware event. Plus, how Google is committing to a carbon-free future, and "spilled tea" involving YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.
272: Dingus
September 10, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBFlo is on a journey to recreate the operating system of her youth, and Andy encourages it. We discuss the launch of Android 11, like your friends who are just having a beer and sharing some stats. We bum you out with the sinking realization that everything is still wrong in the world (it's why Google Maps automatically blurred out protest slogans in Hong Kong). And then, we lift your spirits with a reflective interview with Google's former camera czar, Marc Levoy.
271: Event Horizon
September 03, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 82.2 MBAndy still isn't sold on Android's future for streaming music, and Flo wonders why she doesn't have the Issa Rae option available in her Assistant voice settings. Then, we talk about the Made by Google event that hasn't been announced quite yet but that everyone keeps alluding to. We also dive into some regional Google news, as well as UFOs.
270: Terribly Exciting and Terribly Concerning
August 28, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 69.3 MBFlo and Andy ponder the future of streaming media now that Google Play Music is no longer playing along. We tell you why Google engineers are confused about Android's privacy settings and how the new Earthquake Alert System works around the world. Then, a bit of praise for Google Maps and how we wish we could be using it to explore somewhere new.
269: Google Down Under
August 20, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBAndy has the Pixel 4a, and Flo can't capture the California wildfires with the OnePlus 8's Nightscape mode. We talk about the farce that is timely software updates, and why you should pay attention to why Google wrote an open letter to Australia.
268: The Right Kind of Distraction
August 14, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 77.9 MBWe're all about indulging in distractions this week. We talk about our seemingly neverending frustration with the transition over to YouTube Music, then dive into all the drama associated with Epic Games' epic lawsuit against Google and Apple. We gush at length about the new Microsoft Surface Duo and how it might shape the future of Android devices to come. We continue to wonder out loud whether there's any hope for Wear OS. And we muse about how the Pixel is the second coming of the Nexus li...
267: Rebuilding Year
August 06, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 82.7 MBGoogle's new Family Bell feature for homeschooling is a reminder it sucks to be a parent to school-aged kids right now. We'll touch upon the bummers from Alphabet's Q2 earnings call and why it's wrong to steal. This week also brings us the Pixel 4a and a whole lineup of new Samsung gadgets. We'll end wondering if NearbyShare will solve our cross-platform file-moving woes, and explain why file browsers have long implemented a "safe folder."
266: Google-bit
July 31, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 81 MBIt's a very hearty episode of _Material After Dark_, as we recorded this episode in the dead of night. Flo's unboxing things. Andy's unboxing things. We talk about the theater that is US Congress and how Sundar Pichai carried the torch as the hearing veered off course. We'll also touch upon the rumors that Samsung is ditching Bixby for the Google Assistant, and we'll decode Google's cutesy Pixel 4a leak.
Material 266: Google-bit
July 31, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 81 MBIt's a very hearty episode of _Material After Dark_, as we recorded this episode in the dead of night. Flo's unboxing things. Andy's unboxing things. We talk about the theater that is US Congress and how Sundar Pichai carried the torch as the hearing veered off course. We'll also touch upon the rumors that Samsung is ditching Bixby for the Google Assistant, and we'll decode Google's cutesy Pixel 4a leak.
265: Pure Momentum
July 24, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBIs there a mass exodus from Chrome happening, or are Andy and Flo trying to will it into the world? After the catchup, we discuss Google's efforts to compete with Amazon in online shopping and how Marc Levoy's departure will affect future generations of the Pixel. We also take a journey back to the days of internet yore, before Google was a search engine.
Material 265: Pure Momentum
July 24, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 76.7 MBIs there a mass exodus from Chrome happening, or are Andy and Flo trying to will it into the world? After the catchup, we discuss Google's efforts to compete with Amazon in online shopping and how Marc Levoy's departure will affect future generations of the Pixel. We also take a journey back to the days of internet yore, before Google was a search engine.
264: Looking Ahead
July 17, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBFlo looks up at the stars with the Pixel 3's Astrophotography mode, and Andy wonders if he'll ever find neutral ground with YouTube Music. We discuss FastCompany's illuminating profile with ATAP's Dan Kaufman and why the EU's anti-trust concerns are delaying the FitBit turnover. Before we bow out, help us figure out if Google search has started implementing a countdown for soon-to-be-released games.
Material 264: Looking Ahead
July 17, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBFlo looks up at the stars with the Pixel 3's Astrophotography mode, and Andy wonders if he'll ever find neutral ground with YouTube Music. We discuss FastCompany's illuminating profile with ATAP's Dan Kaufman and why the EU's anti-trust concerns are delaying the FitBit turnover. Before we bow out, help us figure out if Google search has started implementing a countdown for soon-to-be-released games.