Material

#188: It's Google's Internet, We're All Just Living In It

January 31st, 2019 · 86 minutes

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.

#187: Sensor Fatigue

January 24th, 2019 · 77 minutes

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 mi…

#186: Nothing Gold Can Stay

January 17th, 2019 · 68 minutes

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.

#185: Who is CES for?

January 10th, 2019 · 77 minutes

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 Assista…

#184: Robots Without Emotion

January 4th, 2019 · 73 minutes

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.

#183: A Year Without Android

December 28th, 2018 · 61 minutes

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 cho…

#182: Internal Struggles

December 21st, 2018 · 68 minutes

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.

#181: Mr. Pichai Goes to Washington

December 13th, 2018 · 73 minutes

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.

#180: Fuschia

December 7th, 2018 · 76 minutes

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 rallyi…

#179: For Real

November 30th, 2018 · 72 minutes

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 …