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Flo is hoping that Google figures out a way to keep kids from growing up too fast and Andy finally commits to the Pixel 4a. We talk about how Chrome OS is also doing a bunch of growing on its own. Then, why Google is adopting a hybrid work-from-home model and how to use the new COVID transmission layer on Google Maps. For those on Android 11, we help you unlock the secret kitty game. Kitties! This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once. The Intrazone by Microsoft SharePoint: Your bi-weekly conversation and interview podcast hosted by the SharePoint team Links and Show Notes: Gizmodo: I unabashedly love this Android e-ink tablet 9to5Google: Pixelbook goes out of stock on the Google Store Anandtech: AMD Enables Ryzen in Chromebooks, Improving Performance CNBC: Google CEO Sundar Pichai considering 'hybrid' work from home models The Verge: Google Maps adds an overlay of COVID-19 case trends Lifehacker: How to Find Android 11's Secret Hidden Cat Game Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

This week, another ode to the Gympie-Gympie Bush as we hear from a listener about new discoveries from science labs down under. We discuss Apple's announcements and the features we'd borrow for Android and why Google is tightening its internal message boards. We explain how Senators are grilling Google in the latest anti-trust hearings, and what to expect from its next hardware event. Plus, how Google is committing to a carbon-free future, and "spilled tea" involving YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki. This episode of Material is sponsored by: ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get an extra three months free. Links and Show Notes: Australian stinging trees and cone snails share something in common, Queensland researchers say CNBC: "Google is tightening rules on internal message boards as 'new world creates urgency'" Google Says It Doesn't Monopolize Digital Ad Market. Senators Don't Buy It Google's Launch Night In Google Blog: Our third decade of climate action: Realizing a carbon-free future Insider: Shane Dawson: YouTube CEO gifted him, Ryland Adams a mini-fridge Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Flo is on a journey to recreate the operating system of her youth, and Andy encourages it. We discuss the launch of Android 11, like your friends who are just having a beer and sharing some stats. We bum you out with the sinking realization that everything is still wrong in the world (it's why Google Maps automatically blurred out protest slogans in Hong Kong). And then, we lift your spirits with a reflective interview with Google's former camera czar, Marc Levoy. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once. Links and Show Notes: Google: Android 11 Google: Android 11's Pixel-exclusive features Android Police: LineageOS 17.1 now available for Pixel 4 and 4 XL, Pixel 2 and 2 XL builds temporarily pulled Google Support: A Performance Boost for Wear OS by Google! Hong Kong Free Press: Google says Street View maps algorithm error blurred out Hong Kong protest graffiti aimed at Xi Jinping The Techie: Google Shelves Dublin Office Plan The Verge: Google’s Waze lays off 5 percent of its workforce, closes offices in Asia and Latin America The Verge: Marc Levoy on the balance of camera hardware, software, and artistic expression Emojipedia: Android 11.0 Emoji Changelog Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Andy still isn't sold on Android's future for streaming music, and Flo wonders why she doesn't have the Issa Rae option available in her Assistant voice settings. Then, we talk about the Made by Google event that hasn't been announced quite yet but that everyone keeps alluding to. We also dive into some regional Google news, as well as UFOs. Links and Show Notes: 9to5Google: Google Pixel 5 and 4a (5G) pass through FCC certification 9to5Google: Google 'Sabrina' Android TV dongle price could be under $50 MV Voice: Google unveils massive mixed-use housing and office village in East Whisman SF Chronicle: Google commits over $100 million of $1 billion affordable housing pledge Google Blog: Using symptoms search trends to inform COVID-19 research Reuters: 'UFO' in Congo jungle turns out to be internet balloon Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Flo and Andy ponder the future of streaming media now that Google Play Music is no longer playing along. We tell you why Google engineers are confused about Android's privacy settings and how the new Earthquake Alert System works around the world. Then, a bit of praise for Google Maps and how we wish we could be using it to explore somewhere new. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once. Links and Show Notes: Variety: Joe Budden Says 'No Deal' to Podcast's Extension With Spotify Primephonic.com AZ Mirror: Unsealed Google lawsuit docs show its own engineers were confused by privacy settings Google Blog: Earthquake detection and early alerts, now on your Android phone Google Blog: A more detailed, colorful map Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Andy has the Pixel 4a, and Flo can't capture the California wildfires with the OnePlus 8's Nightscape mode. We talk about the farce that is timely software updates, and why you should pay attention to why Google wrote an open letter to Australia. Links and Show Notes: James Tsai: This is the Pixel Watch we've always wanted OnePlus wants its fans to be its R&D Samsung promises three years of Android updates about three years too late Australia vs. Google Google's Open Letter to Australians Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

We're all about indulging in distractions this week. We talk about our seemingly neverending frustration with the transition over to YouTube Music, then dive into all the drama associated with Epic Games' epic lawsuit against Google and Apple. We gush at length about the new Microsoft Surface Duo and how it might shape the future of Android devices to come. We continue to wonder out loud whether there's any hope for Wear OS. And we muse about how the Pixel is the second coming of the Nexus lineup. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once. Links and Show Notes: Ars Technica: Google says it's working hard to address YouTube Music complaints The Verge: Epic is suing Google over Fortnite's removal from the Google Play Store The Verge: Microsoft's Surface Duo arrives on September 10th for $1,399 YouTube: The Microsoft walkthrough video Google Blog: What's happening in Wear OS by Google Android Police: The Pixel 5 might have a lower-end chipset, but we're not worried, and here's why The Verge: Google's discontinued Pixel 4 is $250 off at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Google's new Family Bell feature for homeschooling is a reminder it sucks to be a parent to school-aged kids right now. We'll touch upon the bummers from Alphabet's Q2 earnings call and why it's wrong to steal. This week also brings us the Pixel 4a and a whole lineup of new Samsung gadgets. We'll end wondering if NearbyShare will solve our cross-platform file-moving woes, and explain why file browsers have long implemented a "safe folder." This episode of Material is sponsored by: ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package. Links and Show Notes: The Verge: Google is adding new homeschooling features to Assistant smart displays and speakers Business Insider: Alphabet beat Wall Street expectations in second-quarter earnings, but couldn't save the company from its first revenue decline in history The Verge: Former Google exec Anthony Levandowski sentenced to 18 months for stealing self-driving car secrets Google Blog: New Pixels—and new prices—are here Wired: Samsung Unpacked 2020: Z Fold2, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy Watch3, Buds Live Google Blog: Instantly share files with people around you with Nearby Share Google Blog: Making privacy personal with Files by Google Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

It's a very hearty episode of Material After Dark, as we recorded this episode in the dead of night. Flo's unboxing things. Andy's unboxing things. We talk about the theater that is US Congress and how Sundar Pichai carried the torch as the hearing veered off course. We'll also touch upon the rumors that Samsung is ditching Bixby for the Google Assistant, and we'll decode Google's cutesy Pixel 4a leak. Links and Show Notes: PDF: Sundar Pichai's opening remarks Business Insider: 'Put your mask on!': Lawmakers erupt after Jim Jordan throws a temper tantrum during the big tech hearing The Markup: Google's Top Search Result? Surprise! It's Google 9to5Google: Google teases Pixel 4a unveil on August 3 with 'lorem ipsum' Google Store: It's a cute thing Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

Is there a mass exodus from Chrome happening, or are Andy and Flo trying to will it into the world? After the catchup, we discuss Google's efforts to compete with Amazon in online shopping and how Marc Levoy's departure will affect future generations of the Pixel. We also take a journey back to the days of internet yore, before Google was a search engine. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off. Offer expires on January 31, 2021, and can be used only once. Links and Show Notes: Lifehacker: Yes, you should quit using Google Chrome New York Times: Google Shopping is making another hard push to compete with Amazon Android Police: Some Pixel 4XL users report that the back glass panel is peeling off Gizmodo: How did people search the Web before Google?