Pixelated

This week we talk about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chip that will power next year’s flagship devices. We then check in on the Pixel 4a 5G and why it’s the surprise of this year’s lineup before closing on what’s new with Stadia. 

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 is 2021’s flagship Android processor, 25% better performance [U]

Pixel 4a 5G review: The price-perfect Pixel [Video]

2020 Pixel buyer’s guide: Which is the right Pixel for me? [Video]

Pixel 4a vs. Pixel 4a 5G: Which is the right affordable Pixel for you? [Video]

Pixel 4a 5G vs Pixel 5: Which is the right choice for you? [Video]

Hands-on: Outcasters is a quick, fun, and surprisingly addictive Stadia exclusive

Journey to the Savage Planet is coming soon to Stadia w/ exclusive content

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQuiCzwYFGw

This week saw Google announce an absolute flood of news from Assistant Driving Mode and end-to-end encryption for RCS in Messages finally happening to a brand new Google Pay. We then talk about everything the Stadia team announced for the streaming service’s one-year anniversary.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Assistant Driving Mode in Google Maps arrives, but only as ‘early preview’

Google releases limited edition ‘Barely Blue’ Pixel 4a

New Google Pay app is now available in early access w/ redesign, rewards, more [Gallery]

Google Pay launching ‘Plex’ bank accounts with Citi, other partners next year

Google completes global RCS rollout as Messages starts testing default end-to-end encryption

Review: One year later, Google Stadia is still a diamond in the rough

Stadia will be playable on iOS via Safari in the coming ‘weeks’

Stadia set to expand to ‘more EMEA regions’ later this year

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkD5I7pfy7Y

This week, we talk about Google giving away free Stadia Premiere Edition kits to YouTube Premium subscribers. We then swing to the other end of the spectrum and dive into Google Photos no longer offering unlimited High quality backups.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

YouTube Premium subscribers in US, UK can claim a free Stadia Premiere Edition bundle [Updated]

Stadia adds player profile pages w/ share button, game and friend lists

You can now easily share Stadia screenshots and clips

Stadia adding support for capturing voice chat during video clips

Destiny 2 is leaving Stadia Pro after a year of being free to claim

Destiny 2: Beyond Light is available now on Google Stadia

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is now available on Google Stadia

Google Photos ending unlimited free backup next year, cites ‘growing demand for storage’

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides will count toward storage caps, new auto-delete policies announced

Pixel 5 and older phones will retain unlimited ‘High quality’ Google Photos backup

Is Google Photos still worth it without unlimited free storage? [Poll]

How to export your pictures and videos from Google Photos

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://youtu.be/G2dVxUDCsPE

This week, we have extended Pixel 5 thoughts from the team and take a crack at the screen-body gap that Google says is normal. We then have impressions on the new Nest Thermostat, and then wrap up on other hardware happenings.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Pixel 5 Review: An exercise in compromise [Video]

Some early Pixel 5 buyers are seeing a small gap between the display and frame

Pixel 5 teardown reveals wireless charging cutout, use of clips to attach screen

Google says Pixel 5 screen and body gap is ‘normal part of the design’

Google Store running ‘Pixel 5 $5G’ sweepstakes with $5,000 Google Pay prizes

Google Pixel 4 vs Pixel 5: Worth the upgrade? [Video]

Google brings HVAC monitoring, early warnings to all Nest Thermostats

Unused marketing hints at using Nest Audio as ‘home theater sound system’ for Chromecast with Google TV

Sundar Pichai teases Google’s ‘deeper investments in hardware’ and roadmap next year

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://youtu.be/PBdXnWDjzms

This week, we talk about everything Google announced at Launch Night In. It was a tight 31-minute show that saw the Chromecast with Google TV, Nest Audio, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5. We've also had time to go hands-on with the new Chromecast, so send us your questions!

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Stephen Hall

Links:

[Update: Netflix too] Google Store sells out of ‘Sky’ and ‘Sunrise’ Chromecast with Google TV

Google will sell an Ethernet adapter for its new Android TV-powered Chromecast

The $30 Chromecast won’t be discontinued, but Chromecast Ultra will only be sold w/ Stadia

You can use a USB-C hub with the new Chromecast for Ethernet and more, but it’s not easy

The new Chromecast’s remote can remap its YouTube button to YouTube TV, Music, and Kids

Chromecast with Google TV comes with color-matching AAA batteries

Google’s new Chromecast is built using recycled plastic, with no black model as a result

Stadia won’t be on Google Chromecast at launch, but it’s coming in the first half of 2021

Chromecast with Google TV is available today for $49 with a remote, Android TV OS

Google launches Nest Audio speaker, successor to Google Home, available Oct. 5 for $99

Google Pixel 4a 5G officially launches w/ 5G connectivity, $499 price

Another Pixel 5 hands-on reveals ‘audio zoom’ for video, revamped camera UI [Video]

Pixel 5 turns off face retouching by default as part of Digital Wellbeing in Google Camera

Google confirms that Pixel 5 drops the Pixel Neural Core chip

Pixel 5 and 4a 5G come with free Stadia Pro, YouTube Premium, storage, and Play Points

Pixel 5 & 4a 5G camera samples show off Night Sight improvements, ultrawide, more [Gallery]

Here are the official Pixel 5 wallpapers [Download]

Someone in the UK unboxed a Google Pixel 5 retail demo unit [Video]

Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G will be able to watch Netflix in HDR

Google Pixel 5 uses a hole in the aluminum and a ‘bio-resin’ to enable wireless charging

Pixel 5’s new ‘Hold for Me’ uses Google Duplex to distinguish between recorded and live humans

Google Pixel 5 won’t ship in the US until October 29

Google announces Pixel 5 with wide-angle lens, 8GB RAM for $699 on October 15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjROz4B13CE

This week, we preview the Made by Google 2020 event -- AKA “Launch Night In” -- taking place at the end of September. We recap the Pixel 5, 4a 5G, Nest Audio, and the Google Chromecast with Google TV.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Stephen Hall

Links:

Google confirms September 30 launch for Pixel 5, Chromecast, new Nest speaker

Pixel 5 and 4a 5G rumors: Everything we know about the next Google phones [Video]

[Update: More live ‘5s’ images] Google Pixel 5 leak shows off speckled rear

Retailer suggests that ‘Sabrina’ dongle could launch as ‘Google Chromecast with Google TV’

Google’s Android TV-powered Chromecast shown off in new images w/ revised remote layout

Google Home app reveals ‘Nest Audio’ speaker brand, work on Home/Away Routines, and more

Nest Audio product images leak in ‘Chalk’ and ‘Charcoal’ [Gallery]

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iuHDxnyIts

This week we talk about the stable launch of Android 11 and everything around the release, as well as the latest Pixel 5 rumors. We end by discussing the merits/downsides of the Microsoft Surface Duo, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, and Motorola Razr 5G.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Google launches Android 11, rolling out now to Pixel phones

Pixel Feature Drop brings AR location sharing in Google Maps Live View

Android 11 statue can be viewed in AR, complete with a red velvet cake recipe

Google keeping Android Beta Program open for pre-release Android 11 updates

Oppo will debut ColorOS 11 based on Android 11 next week, beta released today

Xiaomi and Realme open limited Android 11 previews

OxygenOS 11 open beta w/ Android 11 is now available for OnePlus 8 series

[Update: Supported vehicles] ‘AAWireless’ dongle aims to bring Android Auto Wireless to your car

Android 11 brings wireless Android Auto to all phones

Google Pixel 5 leak shows off speckled rear, ‘5s’ possibly distinguishes between 5G models

Ex-Pixel camera lead Marc Levoy on using the same sensor, working at Google, and what’s next

Surface Duo review roundup: An expensive multitasking mixed bag

Moto Razr 5G first impressions roundup: A slightly improved novelty

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://youtu.be/3spz3bpyf6k

This week we talk about one confirmed and one leaked price: Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 and the ‘Sabrina’ Android TV dongle, respectively. We also take a look at what features are coming next to Stadia and new games.

Alphabet Scoop is available Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 brings better design, Snapdragon 865+, and more for $1,999

Google’s ‘Sabrina’ Android TV dongle appears at major retailers suggesting $49-$59 price

Stadia 2.32 adds final prep for messaging, UPlay+, improved recruitment system, more

Google Stadia for Android TV ditches forced portrait as it optimizes sign-in

Review: Super Bomberman R Online is a blast and a half… when there’s enough players

Marvel’s Avengers by Square Enix is now available on Google Stadia

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://youtu.be/VndtXILT3DU

This week we share our extended Pixel 4a thoughts, and preview what the Pixel 5 is going to offer. We then take another look at the Pixel Buds, which just received its first update, while closing on Samsung and everything Fitbit announced.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Abner Li

Ben Schoon

Kyle Bradshaw

Links:

Pixel 4a Review: Superb smartphone on a budget, and a formula Google should remember

Google Pixel 4a comes w/ ‘Eclipse’ live wallpaper that puts battery life front and center

Future Pixel phones will not include Playground AR stickers, starting with Pixel 4a

Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 w/ 4,000 mAh battery leak in live image with alleged specs

Some Pixel 5 specs leak w/ 6-inch, 90Hz display, ultrawide camera, ‘considerably larger’ battery

First Pixel Buds feature drop adds bass boost, Attention Alerts, and disabling touch controls

Google Pixel Buds are now available in Just Black, Oh So Orange, and Quite Mint

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra gets the formula right at the wrong time [Video]

Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 take Google Assistant beyond Wear OS

Fitbit Sense debuts w/ ECG, advanced health tracking, Google Assistant for $329

Fitbit Versa 3 hits the scene w/ Google Assistant, faster charging, speaker, $229

Where to buy Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, and Inspire 2 and how much they cost

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://youtu.be/XQRCo6PE1o0

This week we take a deep dive into Google's bold plans for making Gmail the new "home for work." In centralizing G Suite into one app, the company risks overcrowding, but it could gain a proper Slack competitor in the process. We also have a brief discussion about everything the Google Store is doing (sales) and leaking (Pixel 4a).

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google Podcasts, iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.

New episodes of Alphabet Scoop are recorded every Thursday afternoon at 4-5 PM ET and published on Friday mornings. Subscribe to our podcast in Google Play or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they're available.

Hosts:

Stephen Hall

Abner Li

Links:

Big Gmail redesign with side-by-side Google Docs, Chat, and Meet calling gets early reveal

Gmail is Google’s new ‘home for work’ following big Rooms upgrade, currently G Suite only

Official Google Pixel 4a render appears on the Google Store ahead of launch

Google Store kicking off month-long ‘Daily Special’ deals series tomorrow

Today’s Google Store ‘Daily Special’ is $50 off Nest Hello/Hub bundle [U]

Google launches 2nd-gen Pixel Buds in 9 countries, colors arriving next month

Are you buying Google Pixel Buds now that they’re in your country? [Poll]

Feedback?

Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also soon rate us in Google Play, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Pocket Casts to help more people discover the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U6uRJsKuJw