

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

Jun 3, 2022 • 1h 9min
362: Farewell To Thee, Google Duo
Andy 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-home setups seemed just as airy.
Links and Show Notes:
Google is Confusing Us All Again By Combining Meet and Duo into One Video App
Bringing Google Meet features to Google Duo for a single, integrated video solution
Someone used the Pixel 7 Pro for 3 weeks without realizing it
I bought one of the Google 7 pro prototypes: r/GooglePixel
Google opens new 'Bay View' campus that was designed for worker flexibility — here's what it looks like
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May 27, 2022 • 1h 17min
361: No Rage Buying
We'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.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
LinkedIn: Grow your business with a $100 credit on your next campaign.
Links and Show Notes:
Surprise! Google Assistant Arrives on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4
Pixel Watch to have two processors and more storage/RAM than any other Wear OS watch
Pixel Watch has USB-C charger, using Apple manufacturer
The Pixel Watch will fail for the same reason every other Apple Watch killer failed
Street View turns 15 with a new camera and fresh features
Google Maps Workers Say They Can't Afford the Trip Back to the Office
The GANfather: The man who's given machines the gift of imagination
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May 20, 2022 • 1h 18min
360: Blame It On The Watch
We're blaming our delay this week on smartwatches. Andy walks us through how he tried to get the Kardashians out of his algorithm before we get into the leftovers of Google I/O. We'll also talk about this week's rumors about the Pixel Watch's custom silicon and why Andy is compelled to buy the Pixel Buds Pro.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Pixel Watch runs on the same chip as 2018 Galaxy Watch
Pixel Buds Pro get Qi certification, revealing wireless charging speed
Immersive view coming soon to Maps — plus more updates
Android 13: Every New Feature Revealed at Google I/O - CNET
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May 13, 2022 • 1h 22min
359: What Isn't Google Releasing This Year?
Well, what else is there to talk about this week? It's Google's annual developer conference, and we're running through all the significant bits of news. Andy and Flo have plenty to say about everything, from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel tablet. Plus, what's new in your Google software.
Links and Show Notes:
Every Google Pixel Device Revealed at Google I/O 2022
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May 5, 2022 • 1h 15min
358: Do No Direct Harm
Flo is slumping at her desk and would like to stop. Andy wants to understand why the middle brother from The Brady Bunch has a furniture line. We'll talk a bit about what's ahead at Google I/O 2022 before we get into why the company fired another AI researcher. Then, a PSA on setting up Google's counter-doxxing features and what happens when the search engine doesn't protect you from slurs. We end with some interesting new features coming to Google's smart displays. Andy will also walk us through the company's gorgeous rooftop park area that just opened at Pier 57 in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Links and Show Notes:
Another Firing Among Google's AI Brain Trust, and More Discord
New options for removing your personally identifiable information from Search
Remove select personally identifiable info (PII) or doxxing content from Google Search
YouTube: When Google Calls You a Slur
Google is Working on Turning Your Smart Display Into a Wellness Hub
Google's 2-Acre Rooftop Park Opens to the Public at Pier 57 in Chelsea, Manhattan
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Apr 30, 2022 • 1h 21min
357: Pixel Watch Walks Into A Bar
This week, we're talking all about the leaked Pixel Watch: what to expect, what we think from the photos that have surfaced, and whether we believe it will make a significant change to Android's wearables market share. (Hint: we don't.) Then, we'll chat about the Android 13 beta and what's new so far and look at what's interesting on the recently released Google I/O schedule.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Crowdstrike: Start your free 15-day trial of CrowdStrike Falcon Pro today.
Links and Show Notes:
I'm the guy who leaked the Pixel Watch to Android Central : r/GooglePixel
The First Public Android 13 Beta Is Here
Google I/O schedule
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Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 11min
356: America’s Funniest Drone Videos
This week, we're recording our reactions to the first Google Wing delivery drone videos sprouting up all over TikTok. Then, we'll tell you all about how Google and Samsung are making it easier to fix your own smartphone. Google Wallet has also somehow found itself resurrected. And if you're a Google One subscriber, you might have a free Titan 2FA key waiting for you.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pocket Casts: No matter how you listen to podcasts, Pocket Casts has you covered. Download now.
Crowdstrike: Start your free 15-day trial of CrowdStrike Falcon Pro today.
Links and Show Notes:
Coming soon: More ways to repair your Pixel phone
Google Wallet Might Make its Own Easter Comeback
Premium Google One subscribers can get a free Titan 2FA key
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Apr 16, 2022 • 1h 21min
355: The Future, Soon
This week, Andy offers a solo lecture outside in the quad to explain last week's Thomas Lewis and John McHenry duel (spoiler alert: it was dudes being dudes). Then, everything is broken, at least when it comes to Android and Chrome's security issues. Andy also touches on Google's future idea of ambient computing in your home, plus some news on Google's Switch to Android app and the latest changes to YouTube Music. Andy ends by offering a glimpse into his music-listening setup.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pocket Casts: No matter how you listen to podcasts, Pocket Casts has you covered. Download now.
Crowdstrike: Start your free 15-day trial of CrowdStrike Falcon Pro today.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Chrome emergency update fixes zero-day used in attacks
Chrome Releases: Stable Channel Update for Desktop
How to Stop Octo Malware From Remotely Accessing Your Android
Look out for Octo's tentacles! A new on-device fraud Android Banking Trojan with a rich legacy
Official Swap to Android App Found Unlisted in iOS App Store, but It Still Needs Time to Bake
Little Signals
Google's latest YouTube Music improvements help it compete with Spotify and Apple Music
New Features Highlights: Apr 2022 - YouTube Music Community
Autosync - File Sync & Backup - Apps on Google Play
Android Music Player
USB Audio Player PRO
HiBy Music - Apps on Google Play
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Apr 8, 2022 • 1h 10min
354: A Really Big Duel
It's a light week, and it's kind of nice. Andy and Flo catch up on personal matters before diving into why the next generation of the Nest Hub will look radically different from previous ones. Then, Alphabet's Wing is making its debut in Dallas, and we've got our own ideas of how that's going to play out. We'll also get into you might see fewer apps in your Play Store searches going forward, and how Google Workspace is correcting your bad takes.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pocket Casts: No matter how you listen to podcasts, Pocket Casts has you covered. Download now.
Crowdstrike: Start your free 15-day trial of CrowdStrike Falcon Pro today.
Links and Show Notes:
Google's Third-Gen Nest Hub Could Be a Smart Home Tablet
Alphabet's Commercial Drone Delivery Takes Off in Dallas
Android Developers Blog: Expanding Play's Target Level API Requirements to Strengthen User Security
Google Docs will start nudging some users to write less dumbly
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Apr 1, 2022 • 1h 15min
353: Keepin' It Weird
Flo's been playing with all the new Android phones lately, and Andy's got an update on the dance studio across the street. We're celebrating the 100th release of the Chrome browser since Google didn't think to celebrate its milestone. Then, Google is working on fixing Apple's AirTag mess. We'll also check in with Google's latest AI learning models, BERT and MUM.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pocket Casts: No matter how you listen to podcasts, Pocket Casts has you covered. Download now.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Chrome Comic Book
New in Chrome 100
Chrome version 100 arrives with refreshed logo in tow
#100CoolWebMoments - Chrome Developers
Google Chrome 100 Trips Up Websites That Can't Count High Enough
Chrome OS 100 is official and filled to the brim with new features
Emergency Google Chrome update fixes zero-day used in attacks
Google looks to be building Bluetooth tracker detection directly into Android
Google cuts racy results by 30% for searches like 'Latina teenager'
Google Now Using MUM For Detecting Personal Crisis Searches & BERT For Detecting Shocking Content
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