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Material 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 27, 2026 • 1h 1min
560: The Bellweather
Flo and Andy discuss a landmark court case where a judge found YouTube and Meta negligent, though not equally. Plus, final thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Google's new Android sideloading regulations.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Links and Show Notes:
Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
Jury in Los Angeles finds Meta, YouTube negligent in social media addiction trial
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Review: An Ergonomic Workhorse
The Galaxy S26 Ultra Camera Review: Horizon Lock is The Real Star
How Useful Are the Galaxy S26 Ultra's AI Features?
Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide Official CAD Renders & Rumors
Android developer verification: Balancing openness and choice with safety
Wing’s homecoming: Bringing drone delivery to the Bay Area
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Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 1min
559: Was It Ever a Good Idea?
Flo shares her official review of the Google Pixel 10a. We also discuss the strangely short-lived Samsung TriFold and Google Maps' newly remodeled "immersive mode."
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Pixel 10a Review: Boring is a Superpower
Galaxy Z TriFold officially being discontinued, likely won't be restocked online
How we’re reimagining Maps with Gemini
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Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 7min
558: A Brown Trouser Moment
Andy and Flo explore the competitive threat posed by Apple's new MacBook Neo. They're both unsurprised that YouTube has officially surpassed the Mouse in revenue. The hosts also examine the very difficult week for Waymo's self-driving fleet.
Links and Show Notes:
Say hello to MacBook Neo—or don't!
YouTube Lays Claim to Another Crown: The World's Largest Media Company
Google faces lawsuit after Gemini chatbot allegedly instructed man to kill himself
Waymo restricts some routes after viral video shows car had a near miss with Texas train
Waymo Robotaxi Tries to Cross 8 Lanes—Passengers Start Screaming
Waymo robotaxi blocks EMS responding to Austin mass shooting
Uncovered records reveal the hidden costs of Waymo robotaxis on San Francisco streets
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai's new $692 million compensation package hinges on the success of two Google moonshots that aren't making any money
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Mar 6, 2026 • 1h 4min
557: Close to the Borders of Sad
Google employees plead with executives to place limits on the military's use of AI. Gemini faces its first major lawsuit. Google and Epic Games finally settled on something. And Android gets an integrated desktop mode.
Links and Show Notes:
We Will Not Be Divided
Google employees call for military limits on AI amid Iran strikes, Anthropic fallout
Google Workers Seek ‘Red Lines’ on Military AI, Echoing Anthropic
Google faces lawsuit after Gemini chatbot allegedly instructed man to kill himself
Android Developers Blog: A new era for choice and openness
Google and Epic announce settlement to end app store antitrust case
Your Pixel phone can now become a full Android PC via USB-C
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Feb 27, 2026 • 1h 8min
556: Open Marriage
Samsung reveals its new family of Galaxy smartphones and invites Perplexity to hang out on the couch with it and Gemini.
Links and Show Notes:
A First Look at the Galaxy S26 Series: Samsung’s Most Intuitive AI Phone Yet
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Debuts With a Better Camera and a Built-In Privacy Display
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Fix Everything You Didn’t Like About the Galaxy Buds 3
Perplexity APIs deliver powerful AI to the world’s largest Android device maker
A more intelligent Android on Samsung Galaxy S26
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Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 1min
555: 1212
Google reveals the Pixel 10a. Flo uses Gemini's music-making abilities to help recruit bands for the Warped Tour.
Links and Show Notes:
Google's Pixel 10a Brings Gemini Live and Satellite SOS to the Mid-Range
Google announces the new Pixel 10a for $499
Exclusive: Google's secret 'Project Toscana' fixes the Pixel's biggest face unlock flaw
A new way to express yourself: Gemini can now create music
Lyria 3
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Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 4min
554: Android 17 Fake Out
The Android 17 beta dropped this week... and then it was retracted? Supposedly deleted Nest camera footage plays a crucial role in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case.
Links and Show Notes:
The First Android 17 Beta is Coming Soon!
Android 17 Beta 1 is here with major updates for adaptive apps, performance, and media
Google sent personal and financial information of student journalist to ICE
Google Fulfilled ICE Subpoena Demanding Student Journalist Credit Card Number
Google recovers "deleted" Nest video in high-profile abduction case
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Feb 6, 2026 • 1h 3min
553: Levers
Google made a ton of money last quarter, perfectly justifying why Gemini is here to stay.
Links and Show Notes:
Q4 earnings call: Remarks from our CEO
Alphabet Announces Fourth Quarter 2025 and Fiscal Year Results
Google Books removed all search functions for any books with previews
Project Genie
Project Genie: Experimenting with infinite, interactive worlds
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Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 4min
552: The Ghost Inside
Chrome gets infused with more Gemini in the big update that hit this week. And Google's pushing hard for its AI to be seen as a creative tool.
Links and Show Notes:
The new era of browsing: Putting Gemini to work in Chrome
Become the main character in a new city with AI features from Google Arts & Culture
How animators and AI researchers made ‘Dear Upstairs Neighbors’
Star in your own memes: Introducing Me Meme in Google Photos
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Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 11min
551: "The best place for kids and teens"
YouTube's CEO made some major declarations this week, including that it's the best place for your kin. And is Google Keep next on the chopping block? At least one of its core features is.
Links and Show Notes:
From the CEO: What’s coming to YouTube in 2026
BBC Group and YouTube announce new strategic partnership to deliver more for audiences and support Creators across the UK
BBC Strikes Landmark Deal to Produce Original Content for YouTube
Sesame Street: Now streaming on YouTube and YouTube Kids
Google Keep might be losing one of its most useful features
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