Material

Andy 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 rumor rounds.

Andy 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 worth buying the last stock of the Pixel 3a mere months away from the next phone release.

Flo 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.

Andy 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.

Flo 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.

Andy 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 earnings call before Andy and Flo rant just a little bit more about Wear OS by Google Smartwatch.

Flo 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.

Andy 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.

YAY! 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. Then in our second act, Flo and Andy look ahead at the next 250 episodes. They discuss their hopes, their fears, and what their Big Picture goals are for the future.

This 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.