
Material
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.
Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2025 • 52min
505: Not to Be Morbid
The Pixel Watch 3 will call for help if you miss a heartbeat. And don't forget to file your request to remove your data from Google Search.
Links and Show Notes:
The Google Pixel Watch 3 Can Call for Help If You Lose Your Pulse
Read our first Health Impact Report
Google makes it easier to remove your contact information from Search results
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Feb 21, 2025 • 59min
504: E Stands for Essence
We apologize for talking about the iPhone 16e this week, but is Apple trying to pass off a $600 device as "affordable?" Google would like a word.
Links and Show Notes:
iPhone 16e
Fingerprinting: Critics say Google rules put profits over privacy
Google’s AI Efforts Marred by Turf Disputes
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Feb 13, 2025 • 56min
503: Gulf of America
It's happening. Everything is happening, and we're opining about it. Plus, our excitement over Google I/O.
Links and Show Notes:
Google defends scrapping AI pledges and DEI goals in all-staff meeting
Clarifying some changes we made in Calendar.
Apple TV+ Is Finally Available to Android Users Who Will Never Touch an iPhone
Expect Google to Trot Out More Gemini AI at Google I/O on May 20
Google Family Link brings new supervision tools for parents
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Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 11min
502: Look
It's a news-heavy show, with earnings, shifts in Google company policy, and a lot of "look" from Sundar Pichai.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Links and Show Notes:
Alphabet shares drop as much as 9% on revenue miss, soaring AI investments
Exclusive | Google Kills Diversity Hiring Targets
How Google Maps Plans to Handle the ‘Gulf of America’
Google Lifts a Ban on Using Its AI for Weapons and Surveillance
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Jan 31, 2025 • 1h 3min
501: The Cake Lasted Five Days
Our first episode after a major milestone, and we're catching up on the real stories behind all the flashy Android and Samsung headlines.
Links and Show Notes:
The Samsung Galaxy S25's Most Touted AI Feature Left Me Disappointed
Just How Good Is Audio Eraser on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra? We Put It to an Ear-Splitting Test
Everyone Calm Down, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Is Just a Thin Phone
Android 16's Linux Terminal will soon let you run graphical apps, so of course we ran Doom
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Jan 25, 2025 • 57min
500: Enjoy Some Cake
Andy and Flo celebrate 500 episodes of Material! No news this week, just vibes.
Links and Show Notes: Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Jan 16, 2025 • 60min
499: Don't Be Rude, AI
OnePlus launches a new Android phone, and Google tells its AI podcasting hosts to dial down their attitude.
Links and Show Notes:
OnePlus 13 Review: A Better Android Phone, but It’s Not the Best
Samsung Will Reveal Its Newest Smartphones on January 22
Here’s what’s new with Google TV at CES
Lenovo Legion Tab sells out in 48 hours amid pent up demand for small Android tablets
Google's NotebookLM had to teach its AI podcast hosts not to act annoyed at humans
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Jan 9, 2025 • 48min
498: This Is Not an AI Podcast
Pixel 4a users, Google will kill your phone so a new one may live.
This episode of Material is sponsored by:
Vitally: A new era for customer success productivity. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Links and Show Notes:
Google Pixel 4a gets an unexpected update: Lower battery life
Pixel 4a battery performance program
Google experiments with audio summaries of your daily news highlights
Microsoft is using Bing to trick people into thinking they’re on Google
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Jan 4, 2025 • 50min
497: It's a New Year
What's in store for Google and Android users in 2025? Plus, our in memorium for what Google killed in 2024.
Links and Show Notes:
Everything Google Killed in 2024
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Dec 27, 2024 • 49min
496: Is a Leader in AI
The hosts celebrate the festive spirit with playful banter, linking holiday magic to classic tales. They explore the quirky charm of Christmas movies and the pressures of Hollywood writing, especially for streaming services. A humorous look at subscription struggles reveals the balancing act of entertainment value. Diving into Google's corporate identity, they critique tech companies' responsibilities and share personal frustrations with AI tools. The episode wraps with nostalgic reflections on beloved shows and heartfelt wishes for the New Year.