Material

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188: It's Google's Internet, We're All Just Living In It Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

The theme this week is Google's influence on the internet. From YouTube algorithms to server backends, you won't believe how much Google has embedded into your life—and how much you can't do without it. After the second break, Flo and Andy also discuss what Bloomberg's been reporting about Google's labor practices.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get 3 months free with a 1-year package.

Links and Show Notes

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187: Sensor Fatigue Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

Before you dive in this week, we'd like to give you a content warning about sad things happening to kitties at the beginning of this episode. After that, Andy talks about his hacked-together Nest temperature sensor and Flo wonder if there's a Wear OS smartwatch out there fit for her wrist.

After the break, the two discuss Google tossing $45 million toward Fossil, how much it's going to annoy you when it restricts ad blocking in the next version of Chrome, and what XDA Developers have found in a leaked build of Android Q.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Google spent $45 million on Fossil IP and all it got was a lousy tote bag
Google can't be an ad company if you're blocking its ads, now can it? It can't
Android Q's apparent Dark Theme is extremely exciting

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186: Nothing Gold Can Stay Jan 17, 2019

Show notes

Andy is excited about the Wear OS watches floating around right now, while Flo wishes they'd be smaller and last a little longer. After the break, the two hosts discuss bad apps in the Play Store, say goodbye to the Chromecast Audio, and geek out over the relative coolness of a 3D-printed brain for your smart speaker.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.

Links and Show Notes

When good apps go seriously wrong
Goodbye, Chromecast Audio 😭😭😭😭😭
Project Alias is a hat for your Google Home that also protects your privacy

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185: Who is CES for? Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

CES 2019 is all anybody can talk about. But before Andy and Flo get into it, this week's show starts with a bit of catchup on Flo's first Google support experience. Then, Andy leaves us all with an essential anecdote about why you should probably turn off your phone.

After the first break, the two discuss everything from the new Google Assistant Connect platform to all the new stuff announced this week with the Google Assistant built into it.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Sing it with us: "It's a Google world after all"
Google Assistant Connect is going to make it easier for developers to integrate the Assistant in everything
You can also use the Assistant through Google Maps or inside your car
And lastly, learn to speak a new language with another new Assistant feature: Interpreter mode

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184: Robots Without Emotion Jan 04, 2019

Show notes

Flo and Andy are back for the first episode of the new year with a look at how Google's Project Soli will change the way we use devices. The two also discuss what Fuschia holds in store for the future of Android. Then, after the second ad break, why people in Arizona are attacking Google's self-driving cars.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit.
ExpressVPN: High-Speed, Secure & Anonymous VPN Service. Get three months free with a 1-year package.

Links and Show Notes

Check it out to see if the Pixelbook deal we mention at the beginning of the episode is still available at Best Buy
Project Soli is in development, for really real
What will Fuschia do for Android? (Besides keeping the rumor mill churning.)
People in Arizona do not like Google's self-driving cars
And finally, a palate cleanser

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183: A Year Without Android Dec 28, 2018

Show notes

Time to play a game! Below are the instructions. Follow along to learn how to play, then tweet us or email us your choices and we'll feature them in our first episode of 2019.

You have to GIVE UP one of these Google things and not use it in 2019. Which do you choose to give up? You’ll get it back after a year.

Android
Google Assistant (includes smart devices but you can keep your Android phone, Chromebook, etc. if you disable Assistant)
Chrome and ChromeOS
All Google-branded hardware (you can keep your Samsung Android phone, HP Chromebook, etc.)
Google Search

Same group, but this time you can only KEEP one for 2019.

(And remember, “Google-branded hardware” would necessarily exclude “Android”; you’re keeping Pixelbook, Google Home (as a multiroom Chromecast speaker system), Google Clips (ha!) BUT you’re still cut off from Android, Assistant, ChromeOS...you’re only keeping ONE of the five)

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.

Links and Show Notes

Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

182: Internal Struggles Dec 21, 2018

Show notes

Enjoy this deliciously late taping of the Material podcast! This week, Andy and Flo are talking holiday things and the inevitability of Windows apps on Chrome OS. After the break, Andy and Flo discuss the internal blowback on Google's Project Dragonfly, and why Google contractors don't get discounted t-shirts.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Linode: High performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’

Links and Show Notes

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181: Mr. Pichai Goes to Washington Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

Andy starts us off this week with tales about an affordable Android TV set-top box, as well as links to visit when we're feeling a little nostalgic for sunsetted Google products. Then, Andy and Flo discuss Google's visit to Capitol Hill.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.

Links and Show Notes

Take a look at the Google Cemetary, then wait for nightfall to walk through the Killed by Google graveyard
Read over a summary of Google's time at Capitol Hill
Donate! It's easy through Google Play

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180: Fuschia Dec 07, 2018

Show notes

For the seventh consecutive week, Flo and Andy babble on about the virtues of using Chrome OS. But will Andy ever leave his MacBook behind and become all about that Chromebook life?

After the break, the two discuss Google's holiday treats, and some of its unfortunate patent tricks. And then, a look at why Google's contract workers are rallying for fair treatment.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Lifehack: Made for ChromeOS shows you exactly what's worth downloading
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAANTAAAAAAAA!!!
Sometimes Google does a no-no
Google's TVCs deserve fair treatment

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179: For Real Nov 30, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo spill the beans on what they spent all their hard-earned cash on over the Black Friday "holiday." After the break, Andy walks us through Project Fi's new offerings, as well as some of its caveats. Andy and Flo also discuss the latest crop of Pixel Slate reviews that have hit the web, and why Google employees are petitioning for their employer to drop Project Dragonfly.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’

Links and Show Notes

Hoping to get your iPhone-using family onto Project Fi? Don't forget to read through the caveats
Gizmodo's review of the Pixel Slate is one of our faves, along with Ars Technica's and The Verge's
Read the letter that Google employees wrote about why they're protesting Project Dragonfly

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