Material

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168: Bulbousness Sep 13, 2018

Show notes

Flo and Andy officially bid adieu to their favorite Aussie, but not before regaling you with all the reasons you'd want a Relay FM membership. The two also discuss this week's Apple announcements and what that means for Google users and fans, as well as the perils of misinformation.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’

Links and Show Notes

Qualcomm's new wearables chip may or may not save Wear OS
Let's call out ridiculousness when we see it

167: Material After Dark Sep 07, 2018

Show notes

Warning: This episode has seriously too many mentions of Celine Dion's hit song (a hit for too long, if you asked some of us), "My Heart Will Go On." At least Andy and Flo can both agree that Celine is unrivaled in talent. The two also agree that Google Fit still has some kinks to work out before it's the end-all, be-all health-and-wellness app for Android users.

Andy and Flo also discuss the Chrome and Google's respective anniversaries, since that's likely the reason neither Sundar Pichai nor Sergey Brin showed up to a significant hearing before the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Perhaps they partied too hard. We'll also talk a little bit about Samsung because it's always trying to do something.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Fracture: Photos printed in vivid color directly on glass. Get 15% off!
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Links and Show Notes

Because this sort of thing still happens in 2018: A Pixel 3 XL left in the back of a Lyft. Very on-brand.
Play a game through the Chrome browser: But don't tell your boss we sent you there
New Material makeover: Just in time for the annual UI pageant
Scott McCloud's commissioned comic on Google Chrome is available online for your perusal
Why didn't Sundar Pichair or Sergey Brin or Larry Page show up in Washington this week?

166: Your Personal Data Belongs to You Aug 31, 2018

Show notes

Flo starts us off this week with her existential woes, as Andy does his best to keep her calm with similar tales of digital archiving. The duo also talks about what they miss from the new Google Fit before diving into the main topic of this week's podcast: Google's new (old) habit of tracking your location history, even after you've told it not to.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
RXBAR: Whole food protein bars with simple, real ingredients. Get 25% off with promo code ‘material.’

Links and Show Notes

Google is still tracking your location even after you asked it not to: Did you like the ads that were served to you today?
Huge changes coming to WearOS: Will it be enough to put some life back into Android wearables?

165: It’s Not Just a Kerfuffle Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

This week, Flo and Andy are breaking down what's causing all the commotion among Google employees. We'll also catch up on some general news, like the revamped Google Fit app, the faux Pixel 3 XL, and Google Shortwave.

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.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’
Molekule: The only air purifier that actually destroys pollutants. Use material for $75 off.

Links and Show Notes

Need some tips on Android Pie?: Flo's got you covered
These Pixels aren't real: Check your sources
Google Shortwave: It's still a mystery

164: A Slice of Android Pie Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

It is most certainly a slice of pie this week as Andy and Flo recap their time with Android 9. Flo also shouts out the Pixelbook for being a reliable workhouse, and the two continue to loudly ponder whether Google has a fighting chance in the wearables market.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Fracture: Photos printed in vivid color directly on glass. Get 15% off!
Away: Travel smarter with the suitcase that charges your phone. Get $20 off with the code ‘material’.
Inboard Technology: Save $100 on your purchase of the M1 e-board with code Material100

Links and Show Notes

WearOS apps: Make them nice!
Google Coach: Coming soon to dictate what you eat
Google launches Cameos: D-list celebs encouraged

163: Let’s Be Glass Half-full People Aug 10, 2018

Show notes

This week, Android P is officially Android Pie, but not until Flo and Andy discuss the weather—as they have in every single episode since summer began. Man, it's a hot one! The duo also discusses the Galaxy Note 9, and whether it's a really impressive feat in the midst of Google's AI-first trajectory.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’
Inboard Technology: Save $100 on your purchase of the M1 e-board with code Material100

Links and Show Notes

A Dog-fooded Pixel in a Ukranian's hands: What is that notch?!

162: This is Bad, This is Really Bad Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo have plenty to say this week about the Google Assistant and how it works on the Lenovo Smart Display, Google's plan to bring its search engine to China, and the new standards on how many notches can exist on a single Android device. The world is indeed changing, but we're here to help you navigate it all.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Fracture: Photos printed in vivid color directly on glass. Go to http://fractureme.com/material for 15% off.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code MATERIAL at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Inboard Technology: Save $100 on your purchase of the M1 e-board with code Material100

Links and Show Notes

Google plans to launch a censored search engine in China: Does this fit into the code of conduct?
The YouTube Music app will be updated every two weeks: That's great, but what's happening to my Google Play Music library?
There's a limit on the notch: Thank goodness

161: Dont Forget to Say "Thank You" to your Assistant Jul 27, 2018

Show notes

We're posting the podcast a little later this week because Flo was too busy enjoying her new Lenovo Smart Display. Andy and Flo start off this week with a discussion on what's next for the Google Assistant and what's great about having it on a screen. Also, Andy needs some help using his Philips Hue bulbs, Flo is jealous of David Pogue, and the two are still not fully ready for the arrival of Android P.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Simple Contacts: Contact lens prescriptions from home: Use offer code MATERIAL for $20 off your contact lenses

Links and Show Notes

Android P is almost officially here: Are we feeling ready yet for this new version of Android?
David Pogue talks to the Google Assistant team: And yes, your favorite smart speaker is programmed with a bit of sass—but never as much as Siri!
Google's open source Data Transfer Project is cool and you should read all about it

160: Other Bets Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo start off this week's podcast festivities by sharing ideas about how they can both better serve their respective communities. The duo also discusses WearOS's long-term viability, Google's $5 Billion anti-trust fine from the EU, and a few new things that the Google Assistant can do.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Fracture: Photos printed in vivid color directly on glass. Go to http://fracture.com/material for 15% off.

Links and Show Notes

New Qualcomm chips may or may not do much to push the needle on Google's wearable OS
Everything you've ever wanted to know about a $5 Billion fine
Let Assistant poke you about your day's agenda with its latest new feature

159: Dark Thoughts of Revenge Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

We're not feeling vengeful right now, but we are feeling rambly. Flo has some gripes to get out of at the beginning of the episode, while Andy shows off a trick he figured out for exporting his Google Play Music playlists. The two also discuss the exciting concept behind the TicWatch Pro, regulating tech companies that track users, and Vanity Fair's feature article on the uncensored history of Google.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.
Linode: High-performance SSD Linux servers for all of your infrastructure needs. Get a $20 credit with promo code ‘material2018’