Pixelated

This week we dive into the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5 following their surfacing in the Google app. In addition to making sense of Google's 2020 phone lineup, we talk about the upcoming Nest speaker that was just officially teased.

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:

‘Pixel 4a (5G)’ and ‘Pixel 5’ are the other two Google phones for 2020

Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 explained: Making sense of Google’s 2020 smartphone lineup

Google releases Android 11 Beta 2 with ‘Platform Stability’ for Pixel phones

Here’s everything new in Android 11 Beta 2 [Gallery]

Android 11 Beta 2 introduces a wildly different, non-Material ripple effect

Google’s upcoming Nest speaker pictured in the flesh w/ new design [Gallery]

‘Works with Hey Google’: A slight tonal shift for Google Assistant branding

Google shows fleshed-out Nest Thermostat controls, settings directly in Google Home app

Google bringing Home/Away triggers to Assistant Routines with ‘presence detection’

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=2hAizeovjYM

This week we talk about what Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip means for Wear OS and debate the platform's merits. We then catch up with Google's acquisition of North and the YouTube TV price hike that everyone is talking about.

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:

Qualcomm announces Snapdragon Wear 4100, first Wear OS watch shipping this year

What’s the worst part of Wear OS? [Poll]

Google acquires North as Focals 2.0 smart glasses canceled

Google raises YouTube TV subscription to $64.99 per month for all members

Opinion: YouTube TV has nearly doubled its price since launch, and I’m tired of it

[Update: Official] Pixel 3a is now ‘out of stock’ on the US Google Store

Chrome OS preparing Steam gaming support, starting with 10th Gen Intel Chromebooks

Lens readying Google Camera-like UI redesign with offline translation, ‘Homework’ filter [Gallery]

Google working to integrate West Coast earthquake alerts into Android via Play Services

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=wVt1VGAqpSA

This week we recap Apple's WWDC developer conference and what iOS 14 takes from Android. There's also the big Google Photos redesign and a rumored acquisition of North for its Focals smart glasses.

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:

With iOS 14, Apple embraces smartphone UX decisions Google made a decade ago

Hey Google, it’s long-past time for Android Auto to support custom wallpapers

Google Photos for Android, iOS gets memories-focused redesign, map view

Google Photos changes logo w/ ‘simplified’ pinwheel

Alphabet reportedly buying North after ‘minuscule’ Focals smart glasses sales

Nest Hub Max, Smart Displays now support Google Duo and Meet group calls

Google Meet adding blurred/custom backgrounds, Q&A, polling, more

Google working on clipboard manager for Chrome OS

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=BsvA-RqHDVA

This week we dive into our scoop about a new Nest-branded Assistant speaker and take a broader look at this year's Made by Google 2020 lineup. We then discuss Google's communication strategy, including Meet's mobile Gmail integration.

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:

Source: Google to launch ‘prince,’ a new standard Nest-branded smart speaker

Fitbit app reveals work on Google Assistant support, presumably for Versa 2

Stadia Premiere Edition now $99 after dropping three-month Pro trial

Google and Nest Wifi update will improve network performance on slow connections

Gmail for Android & iOS adding dedicated Google Meet tab, but it can disabled

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=IEwjFVuJSBM

This week we talk all about Android 11 Beta 1 and what's changed, as well as whether it's ready for day-to-day usage. Next we dive into what Google is doing to fix the Pixel Buds, and what's new for Stadia.

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:

Google launches Android 11 Beta with focus on ‘People, Controls, and Privacy’

Here’s everything new in Android 11 Beta 1 [Gallery]

Have you installed the Android 11 Beta? [Poll]

Google Pay doesn’t work with Android 11 Beta 1

What do you think of Android 11’s new media player controls? [Poll]

Google surveys 2nd-generation Pixel Buds owners about issues

[Update: Specifics] Google working on ‘Bluetooth stability and connectivity’ fixes for Pixel Buds

[Update: Rolling out] Pixel Buds firmware 296 update will fix static ‘hissing’ issue

One month later, Google’s Pixel Buds are both a source of joy and frustration

Google brings experimental Stadia support to all Android phones, mobile touch controls

Google Stadia now officially supports OnePlus 5, 6, and 7 series smartphones

Google Stadia adds fine-tuned, per-device resolution controls

Google gives everyone who’s ever used Stadia a $10 coupon for any game

Google Stadia now works on Android TV… at least with a hacky workaround [Video]

An early version of Ubisoft’s Gods & Monsters was briefly playable on Stadia

Opinion: Sony’s PlayStation 5 event showed what Google Stadia is missing most

Destiny 2: Beyond Light is Google Stadia’s first item available for pre-order

Cyberpunk 2077 will still arrive late on Google Stadia despite larger delay

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/j8A1mk224AA

This week we talk about the long-awaited Play Music to YouTube Music migration and the new Nest Aware subscription finally launching. We end on palace intrigue inside the Google Pixel team and talk more Pixel 4a rumors.

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:

Ahead of shutdown, Google starts Play Music to YouTube Music transition

Google Podcasts can import all your Play Music podcast subscriptions

Google opens sign-ups for new Nest Aware subscription plans

Google permanently discounts Nest Hub to $89.99 and Nest Cam Indoor to $129.99

Nest Aware: What you need to know about Google’s new smart home subscription

Google Home app redesigns ‘Home settings’ with Material Theme, better organization

Report: Google loses chief Pixel camera engineer amid internal Pixel 4 criticism

Pixel 4a launch possibly delayed to next month, according to German carrier

Latest Google Pixel 4a leak puts the device through performance, battery tests

Google Pixel 4a's probable wallpapers leak complete w/ hole-punch gimmicks

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/qCqY97QMncE

This week we talk all about the new Pixel Buds and take your questions about the second-generation Google Assistant headphones. We also recap what's coming to Stadia after its latest Connect event.

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:

Google launches truly wireless Pixel Buds for $179, available now

Pixel Buds Review Roundup: Android’s AirPods have arrived w/ smarts, good sound

Pixel Buds won’t charge on Google’s Pixel Stand… unless they’re upside down

Google working on ‘attention alerts’ for Pixel Buds that detect crying, barking

Comment: Pixel Buds might not be perfect for everyone, but neither are any other pair

Here’s everything announced during the April 2020 Stadia Connect

Google adds three Stadia Pro games for May 2020

PUBG is available on Google Stadia today and free with Pro subscription

Google Stadia adds EA titles starting w/ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order this year

Get Packed launches on Google Stadia today w/ online, local multiplayer, $20

Destiny 2 on Google Stadia saw 400% higher player count when Stadia’s free trial launched

Stadia Controller can now capture screenshots and clips on Android

Google Meet is now free for everyone w/ no time limits or premium account needed

Comment: Now that it’s free, Google Meet needs to copy Zoom’s account-less participation

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/FUHJpF9znlc

This week we talk about our exclusive and definitive report detailing the Google Pixel 4a, while the new Pixel Buds have also been in the news. We then go into the Google Meet and Chat rebrands, as well as Stadia's free tier launch.

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:

Exclusive: ‘Pixel 4a’ is Google’s new mid-ranger w/ 5.8-inch display, SD 730

Alleged Google Pixel 4a retail box leaks hinting at an imminent launch date

Latest Google Pixel 4a leak allegedly confirms $399 price tag, ‘new’ Assistant

Sketchy Pixel 4a XL parts leak on eBay, suggesting dual camera on scrapped larger model

[Update: Orders cancelled] Google Pixel Buds 2 release date might be as soon as late April/early May

[Update: Google confirms] Don’t be surprised when ‘Hangouts Meet’ becomes ‘Google Meet’

Google trademarks ‘Google Meet’ and ‘Google Chat,’ support page backs change

Google significantly expands Stadia with free tier, two months of Stadia Pro for all

PSA: Google Stadia’s free accounts might be in limited numbers at first, so act quick

Google Stadia free tier: How to sign up, features explained

Google Podcasts arrives on iOS as Android redesign goes official

Google Doodle series will thank coronavirus helpers over the next two weeks

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=pY9gAgYPK5U

This week we talk about the ongoing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) and what Google is doing to aid relief efforts. Next we recap our 2nd-gen Chromecast Ultra scoop and dive into the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5.

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:

All North American Googlers advised to work from home due to coronavirus

Google extends its remote work coronavirus advisory to Europe, Africa, and Middle East

Google building limited coronavirus ‘triage’ website to aid US testing [Updated]

Google developing ‘nationwide’ coronavirus information website with US government

Google sister company Verily details coronavirus testing pilot, launching Monday in California

[Update: Paused] Verily launches COVID-19 screener and testing website for SF Bay Area

Google delays, but expands scope of coronavirus information website

Google sends out ‘Help stop coronavirus’ tips in prominent PSA push

Exclusive: Google plans new Chromecast Ultra based on Android TV (w/ remote!)

Google Store, Pixel support warn of longer wait times due to coronavirus

Google tells devs to expect longer app review times in light of coronavirus

YouTube relying on automated video reviews in light of coronavirus, warns of removal uptick

Google increasing automation, prioritizing workflows to account for coronavirus impact

Google Duo creator says today is the biggest for video conferencing in history

Google pauses upcoming Chrome and Chrome OS releases

Google delays already-digital Cloud Next ’20 conference due to coronavirus

Sketchy Google Pixel 4a leak shows off hole-punch display, fabric case [Gallery]

Here’s the smudgy, shade-less back of a Google Pixel 4a prototype

Pixel 4a leaks in first hands-on video confirming Snapdragon 730, 6GB RAM, more [Video]

Latest Google Pixel 4a leak allegedly confirms $399 price tag, ‘new’ Assistant

Google Pixel 4a leak confirms faster storage and 6GB of RAM

Google Camera 7.4 points to telephoto for Pixel 4a, 4K 60fps video recording

Pixel 5: Google Camera app strongly suggests it won’t be a ‘flagship’ phone

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=KYeP1ahjHZ0

This week we talk about coronavirus (COVID-19) and its wide-ranging impact on Google from the I/O 2020 developer conference to consumer-facing offerings. In other news, we take a look at everything new with the March Pixel Feature Drop.

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:

Report: A Google employee has tested positive for the coronavirus

8,000 Googlers in Dublin working from home tomorrow after possible coronavirus case

Google cancels ‘physical’ I/O 2020 due to coronavirus concerns

Google cancels in-person Cloud Next ’20 for ‘Digital Connect’ conference due to coronavirus

Google, Stadia planning ‘digital’ dev summit after GDC’s coronavirus postponement

Google making premium Hangouts Meet free for G Suite to help combat coronavirus

Alphabet’s DeepMind hopes to aid researchers with AI insight into COVID-19 virus structure

Google Play hides search results for ‘coronavirus’ Android apps

Play Store suggests apps to ‘stay informed’ about coronavirus as search still disabled

YouTube will turn off ads on videos talking about coronavirus

[Update: Removed] Google Pixel Buds (2020) get wireless charging certification ahead of release

Samsung blames ‘dismal’ initial Galaxy S20 sales on coronavirus fears

Google’s March Pixel Feature Drop adds Cards & Passes, Motion Sense play/pause, more

Pixel 4 March update fixes face unlock bug, improves camera, and much more

Google Pay to support adding flight boarding passes w/ screenshot, only on Pixel

Google Pixel’s ‘Now Playing’ feature will no longer show songs you’re casting

Google Pixel devices can pin apps to Android’s share menu w/ March security update

What are you most excited for from the latest Pixel Feature Drop? [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=pRkdLe_TcIU