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Material

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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.
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Episodes

243: And Baby Makes 11

Andy does this one solo for reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that Flo's baby was due this week! The first developer preview of Android 11 drops! Google Play Store starts enforcing tougher limits on ad-blighted apps! The T-Rex game goes 3D and Andy thinks this mean the dino has taken the red pill! And! Andy lied earlier because Flo TOTALLY had her baby! This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instan...

Feb 27, 202058 minEp. 243

243: And Baby Makes 11

Andy does this one solo for reasons that have nothing to do with the fact that Flo's baby was due this week! The first developer preview of Android 11 drops! Google Play Store starts enforcing tougher limits on ad-blighted apps! The T-Rex game goes 3D and Andy thinks this mean the dino has taken the red pill! And! Andy lied earlier because Flo TOTALLY had her baby!

Feb 27, 202058 minEp. 243

242: There is no Wrong Way to Cook Pigweed!

Flo and Andy fiddle with Android TV boxes while the Essential Phone burns. Then they talk about Samsung Unpacked, and marvel in hopeful disbelief that new Galaxy Z Flip could be the first folding phone that can't be reviewed with an economical “LOL NO.” A Googler is fired for her activism, and speaks freely of the environment for trans people at the company. Finally, although it's too soon to get excited about the new OS Google's developing, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is plenty excited about...

Feb 13, 20201 hr 34 minEp. 242

242: There is no Wrong Way to Cook Pigweed!

Flo and Andy fiddle with Android TV boxes while the Essential Phone burns. Then they talk about Samsung Unpacked, and marvel in hopeful disbelief that new Galaxy Z Flip could be the first folding phone that can't be reviewed with an economical “LOL NO.” A Googler is fired for her activism, and speaks freely of the environment for trans people at the company. Finally, although it's too soon to get excited about the new OS Google's developing, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is plenty excited about...

Feb 13, 20201 hr 34 minEp. 242

241: It's a Rich Man's World

Andy's waiting for his Walkman to arrive and Flo's hoping she has at least another week before the baby is here. We talk all the juicy details of Google's Q4 2019 earnings call, along with what happened during the Great Google Photos Data Swap of 2019. We'll also reminisce about the days of one-hour photo processing thanks to Google Photos' new print subscription service, and we're wondering how artist Simon Weckert procured so many different Android smartphones for his Google Maps exhibit. This...

Feb 06, 20201 hr 18 minEp. 241

241: It's a Rich Man's World

Andy's waiting for his Walkman to arrive and Flo's hoping she has at least another week before the baby is here. We talk all the juicy details of Google's Q4 2019 earnings call, along with what happened during the Great Google Photos Data Swap of 2019. We'll also reminisce about the days of one-hour photo processing thanks to Google Photos' new print subscription service, and we're wondering how artist Simon Weckert procured so many different Android smartphones for his Google Maps exhibit.

Feb 06, 20201 hr 18 minEp. 241

240: Backtracking and Forward-thinking

Flo and Andy report on why Google backtracked on its search engine redesign before diving into the viability of the company's "Going Green" initiative. We'll then squee for a bit about Google I/O this spring, and encourage you to try out the latest digital wellbeing experiments. Put your phone down! (After you listen to our podcast, of course.) This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outa...

Jan 30, 20201 hr 19 minEp. 240

240: Backtracking and Forward-thinking

Flo and Andy report on why Google backtracked on its search engine redesign before diving into the viability of the company's "Going Green" initiative. We'll then squee for a bit about Google I/O this spring, and encourage you to try out the latest digital wellbeing experiments. Put your phone down! (After you listen to our podcast, of course.)

Jan 30, 20201 hr 19 minEp. 240

239: Trillion-Dollar Company

Andy learns about Android's TalkBack Accessibility mode at the worst possible time, while Flo appreciates that her co-host knows how to dress like a Trillion-Dollar Company. The two dive into the controversial design changes of Google's search results, Sundar Pichai's call for regulation of artificial intelligence, and why Google "gets away with so much." We'll also touch upon new rules proposed by the San Francisco Pride organization to cut back on corporate pride, and we'll run through the lat...

Jan 24, 20201 hr 38 minEp. 239

239: Trillion-Dollar Company

Andy learns about Android's TalkBack Accessibility mode at the worst possible time, while Flo appreciates that her co-host knows how to dress like a Trillion-Dollar Company. The two dive into the controversial design changes of Google's search results, Sundar Pichai's call for regulation of artificial intelligence, and why Google "gets away with so much." We'll also touch upon new rules proposed by the San Francisco Pride organization to cut back on corporate pride, and we'll run through the lat...

Jan 24, 20201 hr 38 minEp. 239

238: When TV Becomes Your Only Escape

Flo and Andy cash in their yellow card immediately with a conversation on Silk Stalkings and Columbo in Kanji. (We're already Gympie-Gympie Bush influencers—when do we become vintage TV influencers?) Then, we'll tackle why Alphabet's Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, stepped down from the company, as well as the implications of Google having unfettered access to your medical records. We'll also muse a bit about Samsung's new mid-range phone made for "industrial" industries. This episode of Ma...

Jan 16, 20201 hr 14 minEp. 238

238: When TV Becomes Your Only Escape

Flo and Andy cash in their yellow card immediately with a conversation on Silk Stalkings _and_ Columbo in Kanji. (We're already Gympie-Gympie Bush influencers—when do we become vintage TV influencers?) Then, we'll tackle why Alphabet's Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, stepped down from the company, as well as the implications of Google having unfettered access to your medical records. We'll also muse a bit about Samsung's new mid-range phone made for "industrial" industries.

Jan 16, 20201 hr 14 minEp. 238

237: Meat Suit

It's another week of the Material podcast, and Flo is incredibly tired. Andy tells the tale of how he lost his Pixel 4 review unit and then found it again—it's a relatable parable. Afterward, we talk about how Chrome OS is strutting its stuff at this year's CES. We'll also run through Google's latest updates for the Assistant, and we offer Sundar Pichai a little advice on tweeting. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Pingdom : Start monitoring your website performance and availability toda...

Jan 10, 20201 hr 34 minEp. 237

237: Meat Suit

It's another week of the Material podcast, and Flo is incredibly tired. Andy tells the tale of how he lost his Pixel 4 review unit and then found it again—it's a relatable parable. Afterward, we talk about how Chrome OS is strutting its stuff at this year's CES. We'll also run through Google's latest updates for the Assistant, and we offer Sundar Pichai a little advice on tweeting.

Jan 10, 20201 hr 34 minEp. 237

236: New Year, New Gripes

Flo rang in the new year by boring her friends with a Google Photos slideshow, while Andy worked on curating the perfect media library. We discuss the year's first major Google news story: a politically-tinged blog post from the company's former Head of International Relations on how Google's policies have morphed over a decade. We'll also take a stroll through the Google Graveyard as of 2019, and YouTube creators finally have a tool to help protect them from content-match copyright claims. This...

Jan 03, 20201 hr 36 minEp. 236

236: New Year, New Gripes

Flo rang in the new year by boring her friends with a Google Photos slideshow, while Andy worked on curating the perfect media library. We discuss the year's first major Google news story: a politically-tinged blog post from the company's former Head of International Relations on how Google's policies have morphed over a decade. We'll also take a stroll through the Google Graveyard as of 2019, and YouTube creators finally have a tool to help protect them from content-match copyright claims.

Jan 03, 20201 hr 36 minEp. 236

235: Holiday Hangover

What better way to spend the day after a significant holiday than listening to Andy and Flo? Andy starts us off with frustration over Google Play Music's much-too-obvious descent into cessation. Then, an update on what's happening with Google overseas. We'll also reel in some realism regarding the salaries of your favorite executives, and take a look at Android's end-of-the-year platform numbers—brought to you by the heralded technology company, PornHub. This episode of Material is sponsored by:...

Dec 26, 20191 hr 31 minEp. 235

235: Holiday Hangover

What better way to spend the day after a significant holiday than listening to Andy and Flo? Andy starts us off with frustration over Google Play Music's much-too-obvious descent into cessation. Then, an update on what's happening with Google overseas. We'll also reel in some realism regarding the salaries of your favorite executives, and take a look at Android's end-of-the-year platform numbers—brought to you by the heralded technology company, PornHub.

Dec 26, 20191 hr 31 minEp. 235

234: It's The Most Wonderful Time

Parental Advisory: We may ruin Santa for your children again. It's our last podcast episode before the Christmas holiday. Flo is surprised over how much time she spends running the heater, and Andy is excited to automate all the things. After the first ad, we'll talk about former Google bard, Claire Stapleton's first-person account of why she was ousted from the company, published in Elle this week. We'll also discuss why parts of eastern Europe, Iran, and Turkey lost access to Google for half a...

Dec 20, 20191 hr 15 minEp. 234

234: It's The Most Wonderful Time

**Parental Advisory: We may ruin Santa for your children again.** It's our last podcast episode before the Christmas holiday. Flo is surprised over how much time she spends running the heater, and Andy is excited to automate all the things. After the first ad, we'll talk about former Google bard, Claire Stapleton's first-person account of why she was ousted from the company, published in _Elle_ this week. We'll also discuss why parts of eastern Europe, Iran, and Turkey lost access to Google for ...

Dec 20, 20191 hr 15 minEp. 234

233: That's What Robots Are For

Content warning before you dive into this episode: we may end up spoiling Santa Claus if your little ones are in attendance. Flo tosses in her digression card early on in the show, while Andy steers us back on track with why it's so hard to commit to one app in this day and age. After the first break, the two discuss the Department of Justice's probe into Google's FitBit acquisition and why it seems to be a bigger deal than everything else involving digital data. We'll profile biologist Frances ...

Dec 12, 20191 hr 26 minEp. 233

233: That's What Robots Are For

_Content warning before you dive into this episode: we may end up spoiling Santa Claus if your little ones are in attendance._ Flo tosses in her digression card early on in the show, while Andy steers us back on track with why it's so hard to commit to one app in this day and age. After the first break, the two discuss the Department of Justice's probe into Google's FitBit acquisition and why it seems to be a bigger deal than everything else involving digital data. We'll profile biologist France...

Dec 12, 20191 hr 26 minEp. 233

232: Founders Get Lost

Andy gets his thoughts out about Google's casting abilities. Then, we talk about Larry and Sergey's hand-off of the company keys to Sundar Pichai and why it's not entirely surprising after all this time. We'll also update you on the status of the Thanksgiving Four before pointing you to a revealing interview with YouTube's Susan Wojcicki. We'll end off the episode on a high note, discussing the Google Play Store's "Best of 2019" list. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make ...

Dec 05, 20191 hr 29 minEp. 232

232: Founders Get Lost

Andy gets his thoughts out about Google's casting abilities. Then, we talk about Larry and Sergey's hand-off of the company keys to Sundar Pichai and why it's not entirely surprising after all this time. We'll also update you on the status of the Thanksgiving Four before pointing you to a revealing interview with YouTube's Susan Wojcicki. We'll end off the episode on a high note, discussing the Google Play Store's "Best of 2019" list.

Dec 05, 20191 hr 29 minEp. 232

231: Food for Thought

Let Andy and Flo carry you into the holiday week (if you're in the United States) with musings about their favorite holiday traditions. Then, we'll discuss how Google could set a precedent for Silicon Valley by allowing its workers to unionize and why the company has taken an interest in a new coalition to construct a nine-point "Contract For The Web." We'll also touch upon the messy Stadia launch, the tease of Ambient Mode for smartphones, and why you absolutely should not buy out a retailer's ...

Nov 28, 20191 hr 35 minEp. 231

231: Food for Thought

Let Andy and Flo carry you into the holiday week (if you're in the United States) with musings about their favorite holiday traditions. Then, we'll discuss how Google could set a precedent for Silicon Valley by allowing its workers to unionize and why the company has taken an interest in a new coalition to construct a nine-point "Contract For The Web." We'll also touch upon the messy Stadia launch, the tease of Ambient Mode for smartphones, and why you absolutely should not buy out a retailer's ...

Nov 28, 20191 hr 35 minEp. 231

230: It's Business, Folks

Flo and Andy cash in their "off-topic" card earlier on in this week's episode. After the digression, the two discuss why Google is scaling back its weekly all-hands meetings and squeal over Motorola's forthcoming foldable phone option. We'll also regale you with what's on sale at the Google Store for Black Friday, in case you're hoping for a discount on smart speakers and Chrome-based tablets. This episode of Material is sponsored by: Squarespace : Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL ...

Nov 22, 20191 hr 30 minEp. 230

230: It's Business, Folks

Flo and Andy cash in their "off-topic" card earlier on in this week's episode. After the digression, the two discuss why Google is scaling back its weekly all-hands meetings and squeal over Motorola's forthcoming foldable phone option. We'll also regale you with what's on sale at the Google Store for Black Friday, in case you're hoping for a discount on smart speakers and Chrome-based tablets.

Nov 22, 20191 hr 30 minEp. 230

229: Bohemian Rhapsody

Andy and Flo have less than two months in this decade, so they go through all of their accomplishments in the last ten years. (Just kidding, no they don't.) After some catch-up, and a brief discussion on the merits of cooking with butter, the two dive into the implications of Google collecting personal medical data. We wonder out loud if it's time for an amendment to HIPAA now that Silicon Valley wants a piece of the medical pie. We'll also discuss Apple's Phil Schiller and his recent comments o...

Nov 16, 20191 hr 32 minEp. 229

229: Bohemian Rhapsody

Andy and Flo have less than two months in this decade, so they go through all of their accomplishments in the last ten years. (Just kidding, no they don't.) After some catch-up, and a brief discussion on the merits of cooking with butter, the two dive into the implications of Google collecting personal medical data. We wonder out loud if it's time for an amendment to HIPAA now that Silicon Valley wants a piece of the medical pie. We'll also discuss Apple's Phil Schiller and his recent comments o...

Nov 16, 20191 hr 32 minEp. 229
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