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
263: Things That Make You Go "Hmm"
July 10, 2020 00:15 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBAndy discovers a hack for clearing his YouTube Watch Later playlist, while Flo embarks on a journey beyond the Chrome browser. We run through the consumer-facing news from Google's virtual smart home summit this week, and imagine a world where Microsoft finally launches the Android-powered Surface Duo. For your After Dinner mint, sign the petition to add a meteor animation to the Chrome Dino game (because, we suppose, the dinosaurs haven't already been through enough).
Material 263: Things That Make You Go "Hmm"
July 10, 2020 00:15 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBAndy discovers a hack for clearing his YouTube Watch Later playlist, while Flo embarks on a journey beyond the Chrome browser. We run through the consumer-facing news from Google's virtual smart home summit this week, and imagine a world where Microsoft finally launches the Android-powered Surface Duo. For your After Dinner mint, sign the petition to add a meteor animation to the Chrome Dino game (because, we suppose, the dinosaurs haven't already been through enough).
262: Walk the Walk
July 03, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.9 MBFlo leans into her Taurus Sun and Moon by talking about all the food she's going to eat over the holiday weekend. Andy is fed up with YouTube channels that don't practice basic coronavirus protocols (wear your mask, people!). This week, we break down the players in YouTube's latest dramageddon and delve into why the platform should take accountability for the drama that makes it off-screen. We'll also touch on Verily's backward step paying for its diversity initiatives, YouTube TV's drastic p...
Material 262: Walk the Walk
July 03, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.9 MBFlo leans into her Taurus Sun and Moon by talking about all the food she's going to eat over the holiday weekend. Andy is fed up with YouTube channels that don't practice basic coronavirus protocols (wear your mask, people!). This week, we break down the players in YouTube's latest dramageddon and delve into why the platform should take accountability for the drama that makes it off-screen. We'll also touch on Verily's backward step paying for its diversity initiatives, YouTube TV's drastic p...
261: Is It Political?
June 26, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBAndy is experiencing some severe bouts of Mercury in retrograde as he tells the tales of his flailing tech. Flo switched to the OnePlus 8, and she's wondering why the Pixel is lagging. We discuss why Google is (again) in the antitrust hot seat, and why employees are demanding the company stop doing business with police departments. We divulge all about Google Photos' latest redesign, ChromeOS's increased reliance on virtualization, why Google is fact-checking images, and what Pixel owners can...
Material 261: Is It Political?
June 26, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 79.3 MBAndy is experiencing some severe bouts of Mercury in retrograde as he tells the tales of his flailing tech. Flo switched to the OnePlus 8, and she's wondering why the Pixel is lagging. We discuss why Google is (again) in the antitrust hot seat, and why employees are demanding the company stop doing business with police departments. We divulge all about Google Photos' latest redesign, ChromeOS's increased reliance on virtualization, why Google is fact-checking images, and what Pixel owners can...
260: One Giant Mess
June 19, 2020 16:15 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBGoogle finally updates its satellite imagery for Black Lives Matter Plaza, and Flo is learning about the significance of Juneteenth (despite the failings of her public school education). After the break, we'll tell you why folks are upset with Google's apparent misrepresentation of Winston Churchill in its search results, and express our disappointment for why the company hasn't de-platformed several prominent far-right publications. We finally get some details on when the Pixel 4a will hit t...
Material 260: One Giant Mess
June 19, 2020 16:15 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBGoogle finally updates its satellite imagery for Black Lives Matter Plaza, and Flo is learning about the significance of Juneteenth (despite the failings of her public school education). After the break, we'll tell you why folks are upset with Google's apparent misrepresentation of Winston Churchill in its search results, and express our disappointment for why the company hasn't de-platformed several prominent far-right publications. We finally get some details on when the Pixel 4a will hit t...
Material 259: Killjoy McDowner
June 13, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBThis week, we're diving into the Android 11 Beta, which Andy and Flo are both using on their Pixel devices. We'll also talk about why YouTube's commitment to amplifying black creators on its network is too little too late, and we'll tell you about Alphabet's pilot program for delivering library books by drone.
259: Killjoy McDowner
June 13, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBThis week, we're diving into the Android 11 Beta, which Andy and Flo are both using on their Pixel devices. We'll also talk about why YouTube's commitment to amplifying black creators on its network is too little too late, and we'll tell you about Alphabet's pilot program for delivering library books by drone.
258: Not Quite Business as Usual
June 05, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBAndy and Flo lament about their "corona hair" before getting into the specifics of how to cop-proof your smartphone. We discuss why Google postponed the Android 11 Beta event and what the leaks tell us about the next version. We dissect Google's show of solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and why the company might be shifting away from relying on contract workers. We end by convincing ourselves there's a perfectly valid reason for a blush pink Android TV dongle, like the one that's making the...
Material 258: Not Quite Business as Usual
June 05, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBAndy and Flo lament about their "corona hair" before getting into the specifics of how to cop-proof your smartphone. We discuss why Google postponed the Android 11 Beta event and what the leaks tell us about the next version. We dissect Google's show of solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and why the company might be shifting away from relying on contract workers. We end by convincing ourselves there's a perfectly valid reason for a blush pink Android TV dongle, like the one that's making the...
257: The "Stuff" Chair
May 29, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 79.2 MBAndy and Flo throw it all on a chair this week to see what sticks and what falls to the ground. Flo has started reading _The Making of the Tech Worker Movement_ by Ben Tarnoff, and she hopes you'll join her for this weekend's book club. Andy wonders if Chrome OS will ever feel like a Mac or PC. Then, we break down WIRED's supersized interview with Sundar Pichai and discuss why YouTube is under fire for deleting comments critical of the Chinese government. We also rationalize whether it's wort...
Material 257: The "Stuff" Chair
May 29, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 79.2 MBAndy and Flo throw it all on a chair this week to see what sticks and what falls to the ground. Flo has started reading _The Making of the Tech Worker Movement_ by Ben Tarnoff, and she hopes you'll join her for this weekend's book club. Andy wonders if Chrome OS will ever feel like a Mac or PC. Then, we break down WIRED's supersized interview with Sundar Pichai and discuss why YouTube is under fire for deleting comments critical of the Chinese government. We also rationalize whether it's wort...
256: Lacking Certain Conviction
May 21, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBFlo goes down the rabbit hole where YouTubers get radicalized, and Andy has a billion-dollar idea for movie studios. Then, we'll talk about why Sundar Pichai said making hardware is hard. We'll also run through Android's new Accessibility features in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and Google and Apple's new API to help fight coronavirus.
Material 256: Lacking Certain Conviction
May 21, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBFlo goes down the rabbit hole where YouTubers get radicalized, and Andy has a billion-dollar idea for movie studios. Then, we'll talk about why Sundar Pichai said making hardware is hard. We'll also run through Android's new Accessibility features in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and Google and Apple's new API to help fight coronavirus.
255: Put Some Paper Over It
May 16, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBAndy and Flo take this week to dissect why the Pixel phone is losing key members of its team. We'll touch upon the reports that Google is stepping away from varying diversity initiatives. And we introduce the cast of animals and mitochondria you can hang out with in augmented reality.
Material 255: Put Some Paper Over It
May 16, 2020 00:00 - 1 hour - 82.5 MBAndy and Flo take this week to dissect why the Pixel phone is losing key members of its team. We'll touch upon the reports that Google is stepping away from varying diversity initiatives. And we introduce the cast of animals and mitochondria you can hang out with in augmented reality.
254: To Each Their Own in Quarantine
May 08, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBFlo is getting restless in quarantine, though Andy assures her there is light at the end of the tunnel. We'll discuss Google's virtual Android 11 beta reveal happening on June 3, and why Google's quantum computing darling's exit reminds us of the Silicon Valley drama depicted in Alex Garland's _Devs_. We'll also dive into why we're feeling a tad skeptical about Google's purported overhaul of Android TV.
Material 254: To Each Their Own in Quarantine
May 08, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 81.2 MBFlo is getting restless in quarantine, though Andy assures her there is light at the end of the tunnel. We'll discuss Google's virtual Android 11 beta reveal happening on June 3, and why Google's quantum computing darling's exit reminds us of the Silicon Valley drama depicted in Alex Garland's _Devs_. We'll also dive into why we're feeling a tad skeptical about Google's purported overhaul of Android TV.
253: Wear OS By Google Smartwatch Too
April 30, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBAndy and Flo have a lot to get off their chests. Flo feels embarrassed for wearing out her Pixelbook, while Andy calls it "brassing." You'll find out why Andy returned his Wear OS watch upon opening the box and why he blew his $20 Google Store credit on a battery pack for the Google Home Mini. Then, we'll discuss the latest reviews of the Pixel Buds and why they probably don't have active noise cancellation. We'll touch on Sundar Pichai's _presidential_ performance on this week's Google earni...
Material 253: Wear OS By Google Smartwatch Too
April 30, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBAndy and Flo have a lot to get off their chests. Flo feels embarrassed for wearing out her Pixelbook, while Andy calls it "brassing." You'll find out why Andy returned his Wear OS watch upon opening the box and why he blew his $20 Google Store credit on a battery pack for the Google Home Mini. Then, we'll discuss the latest reviews of the Pixel Buds and why they probably don't have active noise cancellation. We'll touch on Sundar Pichai's _presidential_ performance on this week's Google earni...
252: In Defense of the Bathrobe
April 23, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBFlo wonders why her Pixel 3 is feeling sluggish when she's not even leaving the house, and Andy pulls the trigger on a discounted Wear OS device. We cover a variety of Google news this week, including COVID-related app updates and the merits and privacy implications of the company's rumored debit card.
Material 252: In Defense of the Bathrobe
April 23, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 78.7 MBFlo wonders why her Pixel 3 is feeling sluggish when she's not even leaving the house, and Andy pulls the trigger on a discounted Wear OS device. We cover a variety of Google news this week, including COVID-related app updates and the merits and privacy implications of the company's rumored debit card.
251: Dogs and Cats Living Together
April 16, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBAndy dusts off his Pixelbook, and Flo wonders how to sanitize hers. We're both elated that Apple and Google are working together for the greater good and curious about whether we'll get the Android-running smartwatch of our dreams once Google starts developing its chips. We also discuss Chromebooks and their reliance on Progressive Web Apps.
Material 251: Dogs and Cats Living Together
April 16, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBAndy dusts off his Pixelbook, and Flo wonders how to sanitize hers. We're both elated that Apple and Google are working together for the greater good and curious about whether we'll get the Android-running smartwatch of our dreams once Google starts developing its chips. We also discuss Chromebooks and their reliance on Progressive Web Apps.
250: Power Thoughts
April 10, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBYAY! Flo and Andy are reunited, and it sounds so good. The two gather around this week's virtual campfire in celebration of their 250th episode of Material. We discuss what we've been binging on television and whether we think the next set of Pixel Buds will be worth the cash. We also chat about Google Stadia going free—except it's not because you have to sign up for the trial period or buy a game outright to play anything—and a neat camera trick facilitated by the Google Arts and Culture app...
Material 250: Power Thoughts
April 10, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBYAY! Flo and Andy are reunited, and it sounds so good. The two gather around this week's virtual campfire in celebration of their 250th episode of Material. We discuss what we've been binging on television and whether we think the next set of Pixel Buds will be worth the cash. We also chat about Google Stadia going free—except it's not because you have to sign up for the trial period or buy a game outright to play anything—and a neat camera trick facilitated by the Google Arts and Culture app...
249: An Elephant On Your Desktop
April 07, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThis week, it's another Andy solo special. We'll talk about Google attempting its part during the pandemic, without being too creepy about how they go about it. Then, Andy is A Weensy Bit Upset with Apple for acquiring the company behind his favorite weather app and tanking many Play Store weather apps in the process. Andy will also guide you through why 3D objects have started showing up in Google Search results.
Material 249: An Elephant On Your Desktop
April 07, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBThis week, it's another Andy solo special. We'll talk about Google attempting its part during the pandemic, without being too creepy about how they go about it. Then, Andy is A Weensy Bit Upset with Apple for acquiring the company behind his favorite weather app and tanking many Play Store weather apps in the process. Andy will also guide you through why 3D objects have started showing up in Google Search results.
248: Smartphones in Quarantine
March 31, 2020 22:45 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBWe're doing a special segment of the Material podcast this week to help lift your spirits. Flo talks to Juan Carlos Bagnell (also known as [SomeGadgetGuy](https://somegadgetguy.com/) around the web) about the LG V60 ThinQ. We discuss specifications, performance, and how this ginormous Android device fits into the broader smartphone landscape.
Material 248: Smartphones in Quarantine
March 31, 2020 22:45 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBWe're doing a special segment of the Material podcast this week to help lift your spirits. Flo talks to Juan Carlos Bagnell (also known as [SomeGadgetGuy](https://somegadgetguy.com/) around the web) about the LG V60 ThinQ. We discuss specifications, performance, and how this ginormous Android device fits into the broader smartphone landscape.
247: The Ihnatko Isolation Special
March 28, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBAndy is back for a special weekend episode! And he's getting COVID-19 news off his chest. Andy will discuss Google's new responsibilities to the public and its employees and whether Google's promise to limit the spread of disinformation will extend to the White House. He'll also dive into how Google is defusing racist speech at the keyboard level, and he'll prove that Tom Hanks didn't have a volleyball with him in quarantine.
Material 247: The Ihnatko Isolation Special
March 28, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBAndy is back for a special weekend episode! And he's getting COVID-19 news off his chest. Andy will discuss Google's new responsibilities to the public and its employees and whether Google's promise to limit the spread of disinformation will extend to the White House. He'll also dive into how Google is defusing racist speech at the keyboard level, and he'll prove that Tom Hanks didn't have a volleyball with him in quarantine.
246: Stuck at Home
March 26, 2020 22:15 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBWe're stuck at home. You're stuck at home. There's nothing else to do right now, so tune in and listen up. Flo is flying solo again this week, but she's here with tips on how you can help contribute from the confines of your dwelling. Flo will guide you through using the Google Assistant to inform yourself about COVID-19 and how to use the Gmail block button to rid of viral spammers. We'll also walk through some of your favorite YouTube channels to help pass the time.
Material 246: Stuck at Home
March 26, 2020 22:15 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBWe're stuck at home. You're stuck at home. There's nothing else to do right now, so tune in and listen up. Flo is flying solo again this week, but she's here with tips on how you can help contribute from the confines of your dwelling. Flo will guide you through using the Google Assistant to inform yourself about COVID-19 and how to use the Gmail block button to rid of viral spammers. We'll also walk through some of your favorite YouTube channels to help pass the time.
245: Google in the Time of Coronavirus
March 23, 2020 02:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBFlo is back, albeit solo, because the Material podcast and its hosts are practicing social distancing. Flo muses about life as a new parent, then launches into a rant about how it isn't fun hanging out in Hangouts anymore. Then, we talk about Verily's Project Baseline, and why it's a bit unnerving that the US government is relying on private companies to conduct testing for COVID-19. We also mourn the cancellation of Google I/O this year and wonder aloud: if this is the new normal, how will t...
Material 245: Google in the Time of Coronavirus
March 23, 2020 02:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBFlo is back, albeit solo, because the Material podcast and its hosts are practicing social distancing. Flo muses about life as a new parent, then launches into a rant about how it isn't fun hanging out in Hangouts anymore. Then, we talk about Verily's Project Baseline, and why it's a bit unnerving that the US government is relying on private companies to conduct testing for COVID-19. We also mourn the cancellation of Google I/O this year and wonder aloud: if this is the new normal, how will t...
244: Leap Day Andy
February 28, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 99.4 MBAndy sysadmins his brain; parts of the Android 11 developer preview released last week aren’t previews at all, and how on Earth is Sweyn Forkbeard going to influence my life when 11 ships? Reviewers say the “S” in Galaxy S20 Ultra stands for “schadenfreude,” and just as moral watchdogs warned us, a Google Doodle leads to Poetry.
Material 244: Leap Day Andy
February 28, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 99.4 MBAndy sysadmins his brain; parts of the Android 11 developer preview released last week aren’t previews at all, and how on Earth is Sweyn Forkbeard going to influence my life when 11 ships? Reviewers say the “S” in Galaxy S20 Ultra stands for “schadenfreude,” and just as moral watchdogs warned us, a Google Doodle leads to Poetry.
Material 243: And Baby Makes 11
February 27, 2020 18:45 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBAndy does this one solo for reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that Flo's baby was due this week! The first developer preview of Android 11 drops! Google Play Store starts enforcing tougher limits on ad-blighted apps! The T-Rex game goes 3D and Andy thinks this mean the dino has taken the red pill! And! Andy lied earlier because Flo TOTALLY had her baby!
243: And Baby Makes 11
February 27, 2020 18:45 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBAndy does this one solo for reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that Flo's baby was due this week! The first developer preview of Android 11 drops! Google Play Store starts enforcing tougher limits on ad-blighted apps! The T-Rex game goes 3D and Andy thinks this mean the dino has taken the red pill! And! Andy lied earlier because Flo TOTALLY had her baby!
242: There is no Wrong Way to Cook Pigweed!
February 13, 2020 21:45 - 1 hour - 86.1 MBFlo and Andy fiddle with Android TV boxes while the Essential Phone burns. Then they talk about Samsung Unpacked, and marvel in hopeful disbelief that new Galaxy Z Flip could be the first folding phone that can't be reviewed with an economical “LOL NO.” A Googler is fired for her activism, and speaks freely of the environment for trans people at the company. Finally, although it's too soon to get excited about the new OS Google's developing, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is plenty excited ab...
Material 242: There is no Wrong Way to Cook Pigweed!
February 13, 2020 21:45 - 1 hour - 86.1 MBFlo and Andy fiddle with Android TV boxes while the Essential Phone burns. Then they talk about Samsung Unpacked, and marvel in hopeful disbelief that new Galaxy Z Flip could be the first folding phone that can't be reviewed with an economical “LOL NO.” A Googler is fired for her activism, and speaks freely of the environment for trans people at the company. Finally, although it's too soon to get excited about the new OS Google's developing, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is plenty excited ab...
241: It's a Rich Man's World
February 06, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBAndy's waiting for his Walkman to arrive and Flo's hoping she has at least another week before the baby is here. We talk all the juicy details of Google's Q4 2019 earnings call, along with what happened during the Great Google Photos Data Swap of 2019. We'll also reminisce about the days of one-hour photo processing thanks to Google Photos' new print subscription service, and we're wondering how artist Simon Weckert procured so many different Android smartphones for his Google Maps exhibit.
Material 241: It's a Rich Man's World
February 06, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBAndy's waiting for his Walkman to arrive and Flo's hoping she has at least another week before the baby is here. We talk all the juicy details of Google's Q4 2019 earnings call, along with what happened during the Great Google Photos Data Swap of 2019. We'll also reminisce about the days of one-hour photo processing thanks to Google Photos' new print subscription service, and we're wondering how artist Simon Weckert procured so many different Android smartphones for his Google Maps exhibit.
240: Backtracking and Forward-thinking
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBFlo and Andy report on why Google backtracked on its search engine redesign before diving into the viability of the company's "Going Green" initiative. We'll then squee for a bit about Google I/O this spring, and encourage you to try out the latest digital wellbeing experiments. Put your phone down! (After you listen to our podcast, of course.)
Material 240: Backtracking and Forward-thinking
January 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 72.5 MBFlo and Andy report on why Google backtracked on its search engine redesign before diving into the viability of the company's "Going Green" initiative. We'll then squee for a bit about Google I/O this spring, and encourage you to try out the latest digital wellbeing experiments. Put your phone down! (After you listen to our podcast, of course.)
239: Trillion-Dollar Company
January 24, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBAndy learns about Android's TalkBack Accessibility mode at the worst possible time, while Flo appreciates that her co-host knows how to dress like a Trillion-Dollar Company. The two dive into the controversial design changes of Google's search results, Sundar Pichai's call for regulation of artificial intelligence, and why Google "gets away with so much." We'll also touch upon new rules proposed by the San Francisco Pride organization to cut back on corporate pride, and we'll run through the...
Material 239: Trillion-Dollar Company
January 24, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBAndy learns about Android's TalkBack Accessibility mode at the worst possible time, while Flo appreciates that her co-host knows how to dress like a Trillion-Dollar Company. The two dive into the controversial design changes of Google's search results, Sundar Pichai's call for regulation of artificial intelligence, and why Google "gets away with so much." We'll also touch upon new rules proposed by the San Francisco Pride organization to cut back on corporate pride, and we'll run through the...