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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 the way down. Hosted by Andy Ihnatko and Florence Ion.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 1, 2023 • 1h 7min
414: Belief in a Higher Weirdo
Andy has access to the new AI-enhanced Google Search and is delighted to discover that he can now waste time on Reddit far more effectively. He also has access to a new web browser that’s so innovative and helpful that he’s compelled to give Chrome a lecture about Ambition that he may or may not have heard from his father when he was 14, 17, 22, 31, 37, and 46. And: thoughts on folding big things into smaller things.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Links and Show Notes: Support Material with a Relay FM Membership How to use Google’s AI Search Generative Experience Arc from The Browser Company Arc Will Change the Way You Work on the Web - TidBITS Google Chrome extensions can now create a side panel UI How Google designed and built the Pixel Fold’s hinge Thai Nguyen on Twitter: "Step aside Pixel Fold..." Made by Google Podcast

May 26, 2023 • 42min
413: Nickel-And-Diming My Attention Span
Andy comes right out and admits that his brain is like wet sand. All to make a larger point which may or may not land, because, as established, his brain is like wet sand. Then it’s time to talk about how Google is using AI as the spent uranium tip on new ads that will penetrate your cognitive shields. Also, there are cars and a sketchy analogy about whether or not Google and Samsung are happy in their relationship.
Links and Show Notes: Support Material with a Relay FM Membership Ulysses Notion – Your wiki, docs & projects. Together. Google Marketing Live 2023: Everything you need to know - Google Ads Help YouTube is bringing unskippable 30-second ads to TV - The Verge Google Is Spared a Search-Engine Switch by a Major Partner - WSJ Waypoint - The official Waymo blog: Waymo and Uber partner to bring Waymo’s autonomous driving technology to the Uber platform

May 18, 2023 • 1h 2min
412: The Other Shoe
Andy has a peculiar theory about system administration. Then the episode goes back to Google I/O to pick up some news that Google didn’t have the common courtesy to reveal in time for last week’s show. A beloved children’s cereal mascot is made to suffer. And Google has a wonderful plan to make top-level-domains both goofy and radically dangerous.
Links and Show Notes: Support Material with a Relay FM Membership Day One Journal App | Your Journal For Life Create world-scale augmented reality experiences in minutes with Google’s Geospatial Creator — Google for Developers Blog Google to use new AI models for ads and to help YouTube creators Google Project Gameface: A new hands-free AI-powered gaming mouse Apple previews new accessibility features, including AI-generated voice clone – Six Colors Google's .zip and .mov domains aren't the end of the world • The Register

May 13, 2023 • 1h 55min
411: The AI Message
It's all about Google I/O 2023! Andy and Flo talk about everything, from AI to Android to Pixel hardware. Flo also reviews the Pixel 7a.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Play I/O FLIP, our AI-designed card game
Google AI Experiments
Every Pixel Product Announced at Google I/O 2023, From Pixel Fold to 7a
Flo's Pixel 7a review
Flo's Discord
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May 5, 2023 • 1h 4min
410: Speaking Out
Andy's solo this week, starting with some prep on what to expect next week from Google I/O. Google's AI researcher quits the company just as everything is heating up. And what will an alliance between Google and Apple look like to cut down on stalking with Bluetooth trackers?
Links and Show Notes:
Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he's now scared of the tech he helped build
AI 'Godfather' Geoffrey Hinton Should Have Spoken Up Sooner
'Godfather of AI' quits Google with regrets and fears about his life's work
Opinion | Lina Khan: We Must Regulate A.I. Here's How.
Apple, Google partner on an industry specification to address unwanted tracking
Google and Apple lead initiative for an industry specification to address unwanted tracking
Apple and Google team up to stop unwanted AirTag tracking
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Apr 28, 2023 • 1h 10min
409: Wouldn't It Be Nice?
Google's quarterly earnings are out this week. There's good news, and then there's some tepid numbers. Then, checking in with all those Chromebooks purchased at the height of the pandemic.
Links and Show Notes:
Alphabet Q1 2023 Earnings Call (PDF)
Alphabet authorizes $70 billion buyback
Chromebooks in schools are breaking quickly, report calls on Google to extend lifespans
'Chromebook Churn' report highlights problems of short-lived laptops in schools
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Apr 21, 2023 • 1h 12min
408: 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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Apr 14, 2023 • 1h 10min
407: 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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Apr 7, 2023 • 1h 6min
406: 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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Mar 31, 2023 • 1h 19min
405: 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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