

Material
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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

May 3, 2024 • 59min
462: That Sounds Like What Now?
Google's business is doing okay, after all. But wait until you hear how Apple's been poaching former AI talent from the company.
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Links and Show Notes:
Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Microsoft’s OpenAI investment was triggered by Google fears, emails reveal
Q1 earnings call: CEO’s remarks
Alphabet Inc. Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
Google lays off hundreds of 'Core' employees, moves some positions to India and Mexico
Apple has 'secretive' advanced AI lab in Europe; poached specialists from Google
Read the email to Satya Nadella and Bill Gates that shows Microsoft's CTO was 'very worried' about Google's AI progress in 2019
Google Phone starts rolling out 'Audio Emoji' and they're really weird
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Apr 26, 2024 • 1h 14min
461: Nothing Works Anymore
This episode might bum you out, especially if you're mad at your boss. At least this one is about Google bosses.
Links and Show Notes:
Google search boss warns employees of 'new operating reality,' urges them to move faster
Google can’t quit third-party cookies—delays shut down for a third time
Google releases ‘prompting guide’ with tips for Gemini in Workspace
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Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 12min
460: You Better Work!
The podcast discusses Google's restructuring for AI, RuPaul's TED talk on drag, and the California Journalism Preservation Act. They also touch on Pixel updates, tech industry regulations, and the challenges of balancing privacy and security online.

Apr 12, 2024 • 1h 9min
459: Wizard Needs Data Badly
Mercury is in retrograde. Andy didn't make it to the new Google Store, and Google killed more stuff this week. We recap Google Cloud Next 2024 and what's coming.
Links and Show Notes:
5 Workspace announcements from Google Cloud Next '24
Google Vids is a 'new AI-powered video creation app' for Workspace
Gemini for Google Cloud is here
OpenAI transcribed over a million hours of YouTube videos to train GPT-4
5 ways to use the new Find My Device on Android
What You Need to Know About Android's Find My Device Network
Google rolling out Android 15 Beta 1 for Pixel
AI editing tools are coming to all Google Photos users
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Apr 5, 2024 • 1h 2min
458: Happy Birthday, Gmail
It's Gmail's 20th birthday, and we're celebrating by ruminating about its presence in our lives.
Links and Show Notes:
Google’s 2009 April Fool’s joke isn’t so funny now
CADIE's HomePAGE....
Google Messages satellite messaging may let you 'message with anyone'
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 2min
457: I'll Smell Mine
The Pixel 9 rumors are confusing, but not as confusing as why YouTube is letting AI jump around the timeline. Also, have you smelled your Galaxy S24 Ultra's S Pen lately?
Links and Show Notes:
Google Pixel 9 design revealed through 5K renders; will launch alongside Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL
Circle to Search coming to Pixel 6 series, Fold, and more, adding in-line translations
YouTube announces ‘jump ahead’ experimental feature for Premium users
Samsung's new S Pens stink, literally, compared to the Galaxy Note
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Mar 22, 2024 • 57min
456: Topsy-Turvy
This week's biggest Google news was actually about Apple. Has Apple finally accepted that it needs Google's help in the AI department? Will the companies hold each other in solidarity as they face the DoJ?
Links and Show Notes:
Apple and Google Are Discussing a Deal to Bring Generative A.I. to iPhones
Apple in Talks to License Google Gemini for iPhone, iOS 18 Generative AI Tools
DOJ sues Apple over iPhone monopoly in landmark antitrust case
Google restricts election-related queries for its Gemini chatbot
AI Studio
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Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 19min
455: A Good Final Draft
Andy is solo this week and attempting to wrangle his Google Photos library. Plus, rumors of square smartwatches and other shakeups.
Links and Show Notes:
Exclusive: Samsung going back to square design for Galaxy Watch
Samsung isn't bringing its Pixel 8a competitor to the US this year
Pixel 8 not getting Gemini Nano due to 'hardware limitations'
China Just Weaponized The Smartphone To Beat Apple And Google
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Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 10min
454: Squeaky Hamster Wheel
Google hopes to reduce spam with its new search algorithms. Meta shatters our dreams for AndroidXR on its hardware. And the Windows Subsystem for Android est mort.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Search: New updates to address spam and low-quality results
What web creators should know about our March 2024 core update and new spam policies
Meta Rebuffed Google Proposal For a VR and AR Tie-Up
Microsoft to end its Android apps on Windows 11 subsystem in 2025
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Feb 29, 2024 • 46min
453: Way Too Big
We've got on the big OnePlus Watch 2, wondering why Google didn't check Gemini's answers before they went live.
Links and Show Notes:
First Look: The OnePlus Watch 2 Is Too Big for My Tiny Wrists
Android Developers Blog: Wear OS hybrid interface
Google chief says the company got it wrong after Gemini's responses sparked a bitter backlash
Google Is Paying Publishers to Test an Unreleased Gen AI Platform
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