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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

Jul 1, 2022 • 1h 9min
366: 'Tis The Times
The new localized Waymo commercials in San Francisco are palatably saccharine, and Flo feels a certain way. This week's podcast will dive into the latest case where law enforcement is forcing Google to hand over incriminating data and what that means for the U.S. now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. We'll also cover why Google created a new subsidiary to serve its public sector contracts.
Then, because Google's hardware is the best distraction, we'll go through some of the latest rumors surrounding the almost-here-why-can't-you-wait-for-it Pixel 6a. And before we go, a walk down memory lane about the time when Google seriously tried to pass off the Nexus Q.
Links and Show Notes:
Police sweep Google searches to find suspects. The tactic is facing its first legal challenge.
Google Bets Big on Government Business with New Division
Announcing Google Public Sector | Google Cloud Blog
The Pixel 6a's Fingerprint Sensors Seem Fast
Google's worst hardware flop was introduced 10 years ago today
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Jun 23, 2022 • 1h 19min
365: The Death of Google Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
No, Google is not dead, but a pundit on the internet thinks it is! Andy and Flo use this prompt to kick off this week's conversation. The consensus seems to be that it's not dead yet. The web has just changed.
Afterward, we'll talk about why lawmakers urge Google to fix abortion searches that suggest fake clinics instead of verified ones. We'll also discuss Google News' new look, plus Google's massive new open-source library of 3D scans.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
LinkedIn: Rethink your B2B marketing with LinkedIn Ads and get a $100 credit on your next campaign. Terms and conditions apply.
Links and Show Notes:
The Open Secret of Google Search
Lawmakers urge Google to fix abortion searches suggesting 'fake clinics'
Taking pride in our businesses
Read all about it: A new look for Google News
Google is paying the Wikimedia Foundation for better access to information
Scanned Objects by Google Research
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Jun 17, 2022 • 1h 17min
364: How to Minister to Artificial Intelligence
Andy and Flo wonder why the new Chromecast ambient mode is cluttered with widgets before they get into a recent whistleblower's claims that Google's LaMDA is a sentient being. (It's not.) We'll explain the what, why, and no-how of last weekend's most trending Google story. Then, it looks like iPhones are getting some Googley abilities. We'll cheekily walk you through all the features Android had first. Finally, Andy will explain why the new Pixel update fixes an overlooked audio essential.
Links and Show Notes:
May be Fired Soon for Doing AI Ethics Work
Google Sidelines Engineer Who Claims Its AI Is Sentient
Is LaMDA Sentient? - an Interview
Google engineer Blake Lemoine thinks its LaMDA AI has come to life
The New iOS 16 Features that Android Had First
Google's June Feature Drop may have fixed one of the last remaining issues plaguing the Pixel 6
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Jun 10, 2022 • 1h 10min
363: No More Spoilers
Andy fixed his Pixelbook display problem, and Flo can't stop watching Columbo. This week, your hosts talk about why Google canceled a presentation on caste bias and why folks are asking the company to take action against radicalism festering inside its work walls. Then, we'll lighten things up with the latest Android 13 Beta 3 and our favorite parts of the recent Pixel feature drop.
Links and Show Notes:
Google canceled a talk on caste bias by Thenmozhi Soundararajan after some employees revolted
Android 13 Inches Even Closer to Launch with Its Third Beta
Pixel Feature Drop Brings an Exclusive Collaboration with Teenage Engineering
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Jun 3, 2022 • 1h 9min
362: Farewell To Thee, Google Duo
Andy and Flo get a little bit into the Star War after Andy explains why he started the podcast a little flustered with the Google Pixelbook. This week, we're talking about why Google is deprecating Duo and rolling it up into Meet and what that means for the rest of us who just figured out how to use these things. Then, did you know there was another Pixel hardware leak? These things keep popping up in the wild. We'll also muse a bit over Google's new campus and how we wish our work-from-home setups seemed just as airy.
Links and Show Notes:
Google is Confusing Us All Again By Combining Meet and Duo into One Video App
Bringing Google Meet features to Google Duo for a single, integrated video solution
Someone used the Pixel 7 Pro for 3 weeks without realizing it
I bought one of the Google 7 pro prototypes: r/GooglePixel
Google opens new 'Bay View' campus that was designed for worker flexibility — here's what it looks like
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May 27, 2022 • 1h 17min
361: No Rage Buying
We're all doing the best that we can. Andy is wondering if it's worth going to the movies in person this weekend to see Bob's Burgers, and Flo is over the Google Assistant on her Samsung smartwatch. We'll bring you to speed on other wearables news, including updates on the unreleased Pixel Watch. Then, we celebrate Street View's 15th birthday by realizing how important it is to archive a moment in time, and we explain why it's unfair that Google's contractors can't work from home.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
LinkedIn: Grow your business with a $100 credit on your next campaign.
Links and Show Notes:
Surprise! Google Assistant Arrives on Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4
Pixel Watch to have two processors and more storage/RAM than any other Wear OS watch
Pixel Watch has USB-C charger, using Apple manufacturer
The Pixel Watch will fail for the same reason every other Apple Watch killer failed
Street View turns 15 with a new camera and fresh features
Google Maps Workers Say They Can't Afford the Trip Back to the Office
The GANfather: The man who's given machines the gift of imagination
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May 20, 2022 • 1h 18min
360: Blame It On The Watch
We're blaming our delay this week on smartwatches. Andy walks us through how he tried to get the Kardashians out of his algorithm before we get into the leftovers of Google I/O. We'll also talk about this week's rumors about the Pixel Watch's custom silicon and why Andy is compelled to buy the Pixel Buds Pro.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Pixel Watch runs on the same chip as 2018 Galaxy Watch
Pixel Buds Pro get Qi certification, revealing wireless charging speed
Immersive view coming soon to Maps — plus more updates
Android 13: Every New Feature Revealed at Google I/O - CNET
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May 13, 2022 • 1h 22min
359: What Isn't Google Releasing This Year?
Well, what else is there to talk about this week? It's Google's annual developer conference, and we're running through all the significant bits of news. Andy and Flo have plenty to say about everything, from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel tablet. Plus, what's new in your Google software.
Links and Show Notes:
Every Google Pixel Device Revealed at Google I/O 2022
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May 5, 2022 • 1h 15min
358: Do No Direct Harm
Flo is slumping at her desk and would like to stop. Andy wants to understand why the middle brother from The Brady Bunch has a furniture line. We'll talk a bit about what's ahead at Google I/O 2022 before we get into why the company fired another AI researcher. Then, a PSA on setting up Google's counter-doxxing features and what happens when the search engine doesn't protect you from slurs. We end with some interesting new features coming to Google's smart displays. Andy will also walk us through the company's gorgeous rooftop park area that just opened at Pier 57 in Chelsea, Manhattan.
Links and Show Notes:
Another Firing Among Google's AI Brain Trust, and More Discord
New options for removing your personally identifiable information from Search
Remove select personally identifiable info (PII) or doxxing content from Google Search
YouTube: When Google Calls You a Slur
Google is Working on Turning Your Smart Display Into a Wellness Hub
Google's 2-Acre Rooftop Park Opens to the Public at Pier 57 in Chelsea, Manhattan
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Apr 30, 2022 • 1h 21min
357: Pixel Watch Walks Into A Bar
This week, we're talking all about the leaked Pixel Watch: what to expect, what we think from the photos that have surfaced, and whether we believe it will make a significant change to Android's wearables market share. (Hint: we don't.) Then, we'll chat about the Android 13 beta and what's new so far and look at what's interesting on the recently released Google I/O schedule.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Crowdstrike: Start your free 15-day trial of CrowdStrike Falcon Pro today.
Links and Show Notes:
I'm the guy who leaked the Pixel Watch to Android Central : r/GooglePixel
The First Public Android 13 Beta Is Here
Google I/O schedule
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