Hosted by Andy Ihnatko and Florence Ion.
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.
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#271: Event Horizon
September 3rd, 2020 · 89 minutes
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.
#270: Terribly Exciting and Terribly Concerning
August 28th, 2020 · 75 minutes
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.
#269: Google Down Under
August 20th, 2020 · 80 minutes
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.
#268: The Right Kind of Distraction
August 14th, 2020 · 84 minutes
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 device…
#267: Rebuilding Year
August 6th, 2020 · 90 minutes
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-p…
#266: Google-bit
July 31st, 2020 · 88 minutes
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 …
#265: Pure Momentum
July 24th, 2020 · 83 minutes
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…
#264: Looking Ahead
July 17th, 2020 · 72 minutes
Flo looks up at the stars with the Pixel 3's Astrophotography mode, and Andy wonders if he'll ever find neutral ground with YouTube Music. We discuss FastCompany's illuminating profile with ATAP's Dan Kaufman and why the EU's anti-trust concerns are delaying the FitBit turnover. Before we bow out, help us figure out if Google search has started im…
#263: Things That Make You Go "Hmm"
July 10th, 2020 · 91 minutes
Andy discovers a hack for clearing his YouTube Watch Later playlist, while Flo embarks on a journey beyond the Chrome browser. We run through the consumer-facing news from Google's virtual smart home summit this week, and imagine a world where Microsoft finally launches the Android-powered Surface Duo. For your After Dinner mint, sign the petition…
#262: Walk the Walk
July 3rd, 2020 · 94 minutes
Flo leans into her Taurus Sun and Moon by talking about all the food she's going to eat over the holiday weekend. Andy is fed up with YouTube channels that don't practice basic coronavirus protocols (wear your mask, people!). This week, we break down the players in YouTube's latest dramageddon and delve into why the platform should take accountabi…