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158: Jail with a Capital G Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

We are posting a day late this week, but it's just in time to catch you headed into the weekend! Let Andy and Flo start you off with a rousing discussion of silly, Internet-connected things. The duo also discusses the Google Home outage that took place before the holiday (and subsequent apology), Google's picks for Android Excellence Apps (including one from a very well-known host-on-hiatus), and whether it's even necessary for you to freak out over the latest Gmail-reads-it-all hoopla. (Hint: Nah.)

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’

Links and Show Notes

Flo's Google Assistant-connected essential oil diffuser: Because you know you're curious
Google Home mass outage! ¡Mas Outrage! (Wait, what outage?)
A list of excellent apps: As denoted by Google
Tech's Dirty Secret: Surely, there are dirtier secrets in the tech world than this?

157: Use Your Radio Voice Jun 28, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo have finally figured out how to use Android Messages on the web. And they're better off for it. The duo talk tips, how to converse with your Google Home like it's a real person, and the latest Google Maps update. There's also some talk on the Nvidia Shield and how it's still a formidable Android TV player, as well as all those Google Duplex stories that have been rolling out this week across the web.

How do you watch TV at home? Tweet us!

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

Google Blog: Chatting with your Google Assistant just got easier
Google Blog: New ways to explore with Google Maps
The Verge: Google Duplex really works and testing begins this summer

156: Waiting for Google Jun 21, 2018

Show notes

Like in Waiting for Godot, does it ever feel like you're just waiting for Google to figure out its app trajectory? We can't even get Android Messages for the web to work. Andy and Flo spend the better part of this week wishing and waiting for Google to settle on what's next.

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 Yasmine! Check out her new YouTube series
9to5Google: Google One app goes live
9to5Google: How to use Android Messages for the web
9to5Google: Peek at the Oppo Find X
The Verge: Google launches new podcasting app
Android Central: How to prepare your Google account for when you pass away
Boston Globe: Break up Google

155: Everything is an Assistant Jun 14, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo wish they were playing outside, enjoying the new late afternoon sun. Instead, they're on this week's show, wondering aloud if there were ever a more precocious time than the one we're in now, where AI can be programmed to do nearly everything for us. The pair also discusses the latest soccer—er, football app controversy, and whether they'd ever feel comfortable riding around town in a self-driving Waymo vehicle (only if it's air-conditioned).

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

154: Hey Google, Make Me a Movie Jun 07, 2018

Show notes

We didn't ask for Google Photos to make us a movie out of screenshots, but it did it anyway! This week, Andy and Flo espouse the benefits of Chrome OS and the weirdness of YouTube Music. There's also ample discussion about where Google Lens is most useful in real life, why the egg is missing from Android's salad emoji, and whether we'll see smart displays go on sale this summer.

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

ProTip: Google WiFi now offers a "Network Check" feature
The Verge: Google Lens now available as a Play Store app
CNN: Google employees confronts execs over diversity: Many of us feel 'unsafe'
Droid Life: Lenovo's Smart Displays with Google Assistant Up for Pre-Order With Reduced Pricing From CES

153: A Server Farm’s Opinion May 31, 2018

Show notes

Andy and Flo start off this week wondering what attracts them to certain robot voices, and how that will inform their choices with the Google Home's latest voices update. The duo then delves into AN EARTHQUAKE and a bit of leftover discussion on Google's Pentagon contracts before musing over Essential's future as an Android player. And for those of you who can't stop, won't stop talking to the Google Home, there's good news about how well the smart speakers are selling.

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

Play Store: Carrot Weather
NYT: How a Pentagon Contract Became an Identity Crisis for Google
NYT: How to Make A.I. That's Good for People
9to5Google: Essential cancels development on second phone
Gizmodo: Google Just Turned a Huge Corner in the Smart Speaker Game

152: Will YouTube Music Fix Everything? May 24, 2018

Show notes

This week, Andy and Flo are left wondering whether a new music service from Google really means that it's figured out what to do with its music apps. The two discuss YouTube Music and its impact on Google's future as a music provider. And is porn next? Probably not, but it's a way to segue to a warning that there's a little talk of porn on this week's episode for those of you with little ones listening in.

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

YouTube Blog: YouTube Music, a new music streaming service, is coming soon
Alphabet: Google Code of Conduct

151: Material 151 May 17, 2018

Show notes

The common thread this week is Google Duplex, and we're not just talking about what it can do. We're musing about its effectiveness and how it will exist alongside the ordinary world (whatever that means in this day and age). Andy and Flo also discuss the newly dubbed Google One service and how it will affect their freelance lives (it won't, and that's the point), before venturing into a more serious discussion about Google's decision to provide AI to a military pilot program.

It's a juicy one this week, folks. Strap in.

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

Google Blog: One simple way to get more out of Google
Gizmodo: Google employees resign in protest against Pentagon contract

150: Material and chill May 11, 2018

Show notes

Russell joins Andy and Flo once more to recap the Google I/O 2018 keynote. The three discuss everything from Google Duplex's human-like intonations to their shared disappointment over still not being able to remove fences from photos.

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:

Google Duplex demonstration

Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

149: A New Adventure May 03, 2018

Show notes

This week, Russell has a very important announcement—you won't want to miss this! (Seriously. And you can send him your congratulations here.) The trio then delves into a very riveting discussion about what life will be like for Google users after Google I/O.

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:

9to5Google: What to expect from Google I/O 2018
Bloomberg: Google wunderkind is building a social-gaming startup
Russell's New Adventure

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This episode of Material is sponsored by:

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This episode of Material is sponsored by:

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This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes:

Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

Links and Show Notes:

Support Material with a Relay FM Membership

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