Material

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Material episodes

November 09, 2019228: The Great Pixel
Andy and Flo run a little behind posting this week's podcast, but we've got plenty of information to carry you through the weekend. Flo talks about the ease (or relative lack of) of her recent move, before the two dive into the Week of Google Updates. We'll also discuss Google's acquisition of FitBit and why the headlines are taking some of the news a little too far, and we'll throw a little shade towards Bill Gates (it's about time!).
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on June 30, 2020.
Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
Links and Show Notes:
~22:20: The Great Week of Google Updates
Pixel 1 will receive one final security update in December
Android Camera 7.2 rolling out to older Pixels, bringing Pixel UI and many features
Big update to ChromeOS available today
Improvements to YouTube
~46:30: The Fitbit Update
Rick Osterloh speaks to privacy concerns in the official Google blog post
'Tossed my Fitbit in the trash': users fear for privacy after Google buys company
Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage
~01:03:00: Bill Gates Shenanigans
Bill Gates says that if it hadn’t been for the US’ antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, everybody would be using Windows Mobile today instead of Android
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1 hr 14 min
October 31, 2019227: Trope-ical Island
Andy is finally living the dream of stereo Google Home Mini nightstands, and Flo would appreciate it if you held back on the fire puns for a while. We'll talk about last week's Google employee town hall, WearOS's eventual resuscitation, and Google's neat Digital Wellbeing experiments.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
Kensington: The Professionals Choice. Find the right docking solutions for your organization today.
Links and Show Notes:
~ 21:15: Google CEO, in a leaked video, says the company is ‘genuinely struggling’ with employee trust
Buzzfeed News also received leaks about last week’s meeting
~ 45:50: Trump immigration shakeup lowers DHS morale (The episode goes deep this week!)
~ 54:35: The Moto 360 smartwatch is back... well, sort of
Qualcomm is FINALLY working on a REAL update to the ancient CPU powering almost all previous WearOS watches
Google owner Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
How Google buying Fitbit could be a win-win, even for Fitbit device owners (Correction: Kevin C. Tofel wrote this article for Stacey Higginbotham's website!)
~ 1:12:11: New Google “Digital Wellbeing” experiments include a paper phone
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1 hr 29 min
October 24, 2019226: Pixel-palooza
It's almost all Pixel 4 talk in this week's episode. Andy and Flo rundown what they like, what they don't like, and what they're still scratching their heads about with Google's new flagship phone. They also discuss why Google employees were riled up in Switzerland, as well as the company's latest Quantum Supremacy computing milestone.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
Kensington: The Professionals Choice. Find the right docking solutions for your organization today.
Links and Show Notes:
~26:30: 9to5Google's Pixel 4 review roundup
Google says it’s working on awareness sense, and it’ll arrive "in the coming months"
~1:03:00: If you want that 90Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 4, turn up the screen brightness
~1:21:00: Google’s attempt to shut down a unionization meeting just riled up its employees
~1:28:29: Google claims “Quantum Supremacy” computing milestone
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1 hr 40 min
October 18, 2019225: Made By Google
Andy and Flo finally meet each other for the first time, in the flesh, at this week's Made By Google event in New York City. The two talk all about who and what they saw: Martha Stewart, Annie Liebovitz, some new phones, the Pixelbook Go, and a pair of earbuds we won't see until next spring. Take your time diving into this one because it's a whopper of an episode. Flame-grilled and all.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Links and Show Notes:
Annie Leibovitz unveils photo series with Google Pixel
~ 23:00: Google Event Preamble
~ 44:00: What we thought about Pixel Buds, Pixelbook Go, Nest Home Mini, Nest WiFi, and Google's commitment to ecofriendliness
~ 1:08:00: Andy and Flo dive into their Pixel 4 review units
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1 hr 38 min
October 11, 2019224: Weird-shaped Android Phones
Andy's new note-taking app requires a bit of a learning curve, and Flo recaps some of what she learned at Google's Android TV showcase. Then, we'll dive into why Google's "field research" program that captured 3D face scans for its new facial recognition technology is hugely problematic. We'll also discuss the Microsoft Surface Duo, Essential's "Project Gem" (and why Andy Rubin should not be the face of the company), as well as new features to look out for on Nest smart displays and Google Photos.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
Kensington: The Professionals Choice. Find the right docking solutions for your organization today.
Links and Show Notes:
29:40: Google suspends “field research” program that captured 3D face scans in exchange for $5 gift cards
45:24: Microsoft teases Surface Duo phone for 2020
57:10: Essential sort of debuts their next phone, via Twitter
01:12:35: “Stream Transfer” finally coming to Google Nest
01:16:05: In honor of Halloween, apparently, Google Photos’ “Colorize” feature rises from the grave
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1 hr 26 min
October 04, 2019223: Simple Piece of Grace
Andy is in search of an excellent note-taking app, and Flo is floored by the lovely piece of Gympie-Gympie bush fan art sent our way. Then, we talk about the backdoor you should not exploit on your Huawei Mate P30 Pro to install Google Apps. Plus, we'll dive into why Google is being scrutinized over DNS encryption in Chrome, and look over the latest batch of Pixel 4 "leaks."
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
Links and Show Notes:
Thanks for the lovely fan art, @dxydan
19:50: Huawei Mate Pro P30 had a backdoor for installing official Google Apps
21:20: Security researcher John Wu wrote a Medium post about his investigation into the app
31:00: House Antitrust Investigators Now Scrutinizing Google's Plans to Add DNS Encryption to Chrome
42:00: Google Blog: Keeping privacy and security simple, for you
50:40: [9to5Google got the official specs sheet for the Pixel 4]
9https://9to5google.com/2019/10/02/exclusive-google-pixel-4-4-xl-spec-sheet-neural-core/)
01:03:15: Pixel 4 photo samples
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1 hr 9 min
September 27, 2019222: Give and Take
Flo is selling her house, and all the talking tech does not amuse prospective buyers. Andy is starting to lose his patience with Chrome OS. We're finally Gympie Gympie bush influencers and proud of it. After the break, we talk about Google Play Pass and whether it's worth the cash. Plus, details on the next Chromebook from Google and how Andy found out he was verified on YouTube. We leave you with some news on Google's AI ventures and remind you to clink a drink this weekend in celebration of the company's 21st birthday.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Kensington: The Professionals Choice. Find the right docking solutions for your organization today.
Links and Show Notes:
24:15: Google Play Pass
37:20: Developer's documentation on Google Play Pass
48:00: Google's next laptop is "Pixelbook Go" with 13.3-inch 4K display
YouTube does the hokey-pokey with creators’ “Verified” checkmarks
58:55: YouTube Reverses Position, Decides Top Creators Can Remain Verified
01:02:31: Google’s quantum bet on the future of AI—and what it means for humanity
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1 hr 19 min
September 19, 2019221: Wares and Wearables
Andy and Flo run long this week, but that's because there's too much to say about Google's wearables trajectory. Before we get into it, Andy warns us he's holding court for the iPhone 11 for the next few weeks before updating us on our status as Gympie-Gympie Bush influencers (we're going to make it after all!). After that, we'll touch upon what's expected at Google's October 15 event in New York City, followed by the wearables discussion mentioned above. And then, a shout out to Pocketcasts and why its new free model is a good thing for all of us.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.
Links and Show Notes:
26:00: Google Pixel 4 event and what to expect
43:45: Inside Google's shifting smartwatch strategy (But before we get into it, we use up our Not-About-Google Card to rant about Leonardo DiCaprio.)
46:45: Okay, then we get back to talking about wearables.
01:04:05: Here’s what Google got from Fossil in its $40M deal
01:17:04: Pocket Casts is making its app free and is launching a premium subscription service
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1 hr 29 min
September 12, 2019220: Attempting Subversion
After addressing some listener feedback, Flo and Andy break down this week's Apple news and how it will affect the rest of us as diehard Google stans. (Hint: We're still wondering when WearOS will become compelling.) Then, we'll recap Google's terrible, no good day with the U.S.'s attorneys-general, followed by a quick demonstration of the new "What to Watch" tool on mobile Search.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Links and Show Notes:
16:45: Let's talk about Apple stuff
Apple announces Apple Watch Series 5, with an always-on display. Also a price drop on the Series 3, which now starts at just $199
“Deep Fusion” mode coming soon
49:30: Let's talk about Google's very bad, no good day
“A very bad day for Google” - attorneys-general from 50 states and US territories open antitrust investigations against Google
Google’s services create choice for consumers, and spur innovation in the U.S.
01:04:10: Google's new "What to Watch" search feature
Google releases a new “What To Watch” tool on mobile Search that finds and recommends TV shows and movies for you
Tile trackers will soon get improved Google Assistant integration
Don't forget to check out Flo on this week's Parallel
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1 hr 19 min
September 06, 2019219: Cyber Speak
What kind of week would it be without Flo's mention of Beverly Hills, 90210? After they get that out of the way, your intrepid hosts rant about what Google Maps and Play Music need fixing, before checking back on their status as Gympie-Gympie Bush influencers. (We're officially out of the running.)
Then, sit tight as we dive into the new features of Android 10, including who will get the update and whether the Dark Theme has saved us any battery life. We also chat about the FTC's latest fine against Google for violating children's privacy on YouTube and wonder why the company would bother putting a camera into a smartwatch.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Ahrefs: SEO Tools & Resources To Grow Your Search Traffic. Get a 7-day trial for just $7.
Backblaze: Unlimited cloud backup for Macs and PCs for just $6/month.
Links and Show Notes:
1:40: Flo's rant on Android Auto
7:30: Andy's rant on Google Play Music
12:00: Are we still Gympie-Gympie bush influencers?
21:52: Android 10 menagerie
Andy likes this list from Gizmodo for what's new in Android 10
How to get the Android 10 easter egg
The Verge: Google can't fix the Android update problem
71:00: Google agrees to pay $170M for violating children’s privacy on YouTube
73:00 Google planning a Wear watch with a built-in camera?
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1 hr 21 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…