Material

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Material episodes

April 21, 2023408: Moving Fast, Breaking Things
Why is Google rushing to push out its AI product before it's ready? And what do the employees inside Google HQ think about it? Then, a respite with a look at the leaks of Pixel hardware that will be revealed at Google I/O.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Bard AI Chatbot Raises Ethical Concerns From Employees
Google Devising Radical Search Changes to Beat Back AI Rivals
Read the internal memo Alphabet sent in merging A.I.-focused groups DeepMind and Google Brain
Google's Expensive Pixel Tablet Dock Leaks on Amazon
Google's Pixel Fold Will Make its Debut in Just Two Months
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1 hr 12 min
April 14, 2023407: The Chopping Block
It's springtime for Android users. The Android 14 public beta is out this week, just in time for Google to kill two more of its beloved products. Which ones are on the chopping block this time?
Links and Show Notes:
Android 14's First Public Beta is Now Available to Install on Your Pixel Device
Features and APIs Overview
Google is No Longer Supporting These Five-Year-Old Devices
RIP to Dropcams, Nest Secure: Google is shutting down servers next year
An update for our Nest Secure, Dropcam, and Works with Nest Users and Developers
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1 hr 10 min
April 07, 2023406: Get Outta My Dreams
Andy gives his review of the Chromecast HD. Google launches Android Nearby Share for Windows in beta, plus "cross-device services" for parity between ChromeOS and Android. Why is GM planning to phase out platforms like Android Auto in the car? And Google backtracks to let you upload as many files as you like.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Billy Ocean - Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car
The New Nearby Share Beta App for Windows
Google releases 'Cross-Device Services' on Play Store, will power Chromebook app streaming
GM plans to phase out Apple CarPlay in EVs, with Google's help
After disrupting businesses, Google Drive’s secret file cap is dead for now
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1 hr 6 min
March 31, 2023405: Total Transparency
Google launches its new ads transparency center this week, and there is Bard drama fitting of a soap opera. Google also used this week to kill off the best part of having a Fitbit.
Links and Show Notes:
Announcing the launch of the new Ads Transparency Center
Google reshuffles virtual assistant unit with focus on Bard A.I. technology
Google denies Bard was trained with ChatGPT data
Google is killing most of Fitbit’s social features today
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1 hr 19 min
March 24, 2023404: Error
Andy and Flo get access to Bard, and that's all they're talking about. There are two new significant security vulnerabilities affecting Pixel smartphones. What a polarizing week!
Links and Show Notes:
Try Bard and share your feedback
Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy
Google Search’s guidance about AI-generated content
Google says Exynos chip flaw puts several phones at security risk (Updated)
Project Zero: Multiple Internet to Baseband Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities in Exynos Modems
Pixel Markup vulnerability lets some screenshots be un-redacted, un-cropped; fixed by March
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1 hr 12 min
March 17, 2023403: Catch 22
Will Google I/O 2023 turn out to be a hardware show? The rumor mill certainly thinks so. We'll discuss Google's plans to infuse AI into Workspace, Samsung's "space zoom" controversy, and the YouTube TV price increase.
Links and Show Notes:
The next generation of AI for developers and Google Workspace
Does It Matter if Samsung's Phone Cameras Fake Their Moon Shots?
YouTube TV's Price Is Increasing to $73 a Month, and It Makes Me Want to Cancel My Subscription
Flo's Discord
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1 hr 5 min
March 10, 2023402: Reading the Tea Leaves
YouTube has a new CEO, so we officially say goodbye to Susan Wojcicki and the legacy left behind. Google also revealed when Google I/O 2023 will take place. And Disney thinks it's cheeky putting Baby Yoda into search.
Links and Show Notes:
Susan Wojcicki, YouTube’s Longtime CEO, Says She Will Step Down
A personal update from Susan
Google I/O 2023 will be on May 10
Google teases I/O 2023 with literal input/output puzzle
Google’s Latest Peek at Android 14 Shows Off iOS-Style Security Features
Grogu Fights Google Via Search Engine Easter Egg
Flo's Discord
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1 hr 16 min
March 03, 2023401: Super Quick Charging
Flo and Andy break down the weirdest and whackiest bits from this week's Mobile World Congress, including folding smartphones and ones that charge too fast. We're not too sure about the Motorola Rizr with a rollable display. Nokia has a budget-priced easy-to-repair smartphone in the U.K., the Pixel Watch finally has fall detection, and Google introduced new widgets this week for Keep.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Chinese startup Realme launches $649 smartphone it says can be fully charged in just over 9 minutes
Thought 240W was fast? Redmi now has 300W charging tech!
OnePlus 11 Concept brings water cooling to a phone, with questionable results
Motorola’s Rizr is back as a concept phone with a rollable screen
HMD's latest Nokia phone is designed to be repaired in minutes
Google Starts Rolling Out Fall Detection to the Pixel Watch
Magic Eraser plus more Google Photos features coming to Google One
Spring into action with these 9 new features for Android and Wear OS
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1 hr 13 min
February 24, 2023400: Ash Wednesday
We didn't expect this episode to be so religious, but what else did you expect from our 400th episode? We're celebrating our podcast about Google just as a recent ex-Googler spills the I-just-quit tea to everyone willing to read.
Links and Show Notes:
Our 400th episode anniversary cake
The maze is in the mouse. What ails Google. And how it can turn…
Why Did I Leave Google Or, Why Did I Stay So Long?
Flo's Discord
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1 hr 18 min
February 17, 2023399: The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Google's chatbot hasn't been officially released, and yet it's delivering a cornucopia of interesting tidbits. Flo is still out this week, so consider this part two of Andy catching you up on how Google is scrambling to join the AI race.
Links and Show Notes:
Alphabet Chairman John Hennessy explains why Google was hesitant to put out its ChatGPT competitor
Leaked memo shows Google CEO Sundar Pichai is asking staffers for help testing its Bard AI chatbot
Google's CEO Tells Staff to Spend Hours Working Out 'Bard' AI Kinks
AI-powered Bing Chat loses its mind when fed Ars Technica article
Users Report Microsoft's 'Unhinged' Bing AI Is Lying, Berating Them
The maze is in the mouse. What ails Google. And how it can turn…
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57 min

About Material

From the publisher's feed

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…