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582 episodes — Page 4 of 12

Ep 431431: There Is No Alternative

Apple spills the beans under oath about why Google is its default search engine the same week that Google dumps another body in the graveyard. Bard AI is caught leaking queries into the ether. And Android 14 will let you use your phone camera as a webcam.

Sep 29, 20231h 11m

Ep 430430: All Too Well

Are you ready for Bard to read your emails? Is it Google's fault a man drove off a bridge? Should Google prioritize human-written words over AI-written ones? And why are Taylor Swift fans crashing Google's search engine? Everything has an answer in this week's episode.

Sep 22, 20231h 15m

Ep 429429: People Use Google Because It's Helpful

Google is officially on trial the same week Apple reminds us why some people can't get enough of its walled garden. _Wired_ interviews Sundar Pichai and even gets him to crack a bit.

Sep 14, 20231h 16m

Ep 428428: Corporations Aren’t People

Google looks back on 25 years of search, just as it announces it's requiring disclaimers on AI-generation political ads. Also, did Android need a capital A?

Sep 7, 20231h 3m

Ep 427427: I’m So Itchy

Andy and Flo are tired, but the show must go on. Google announces the next phase of AI infusion in Workspace. The company also leaked the new Pixel 8 before announcing a launch event in October. The modular Fairphone 5 is excellent but missing what makes everyone buy Apple and Samsung.

Sep 2, 20231h 9m

Ep 426426: Rhubarbs That Turn Into Donnybrooks

We answer burning questions, like what Google wants with Johnny Cash's likeness and why it ceased development on an AR/VR device with Samsung. Sorry, parents, YouTube _has_ been targeting ads to kids.

Aug 25, 202354 min

Ep 425425: Hump Day

Robo taxis are a menace to society, or at least it seems that way in San Francisco. Flo shares her final thoughts on Samsung and Google's foldables. And Google introduces a batch of new AI tools to help summarize web pages on the fly.

Aug 17, 20231h 10m

Ep 424424: Attention K-Mart Shoppers

Prepare to get more of Johnny Cash singing Europop hits, as Google is working with Universal on deep fake AI-based music. You can listen to it while making Android apps in your browser and sleeping in Google's hotel. The future!

Aug 11, 20231h 10m

Ep 423423: Fold vs. Fold

It's Taco Tuesday, even though we're recording on Wednesday and posting on Thursday: Flo has the Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in hand, while Andy leads us in a game of "Is This Thing Google's Doing Evil, Or Not?"

Aug 3, 20231h 10m

Ep 422422: New Winds Ahead

Flo is back! Andy is elated! The two hosts catch up on life over the last nine weeks and discuss the results of Alphabet's latest quarterly earnings. Samsung also puts on a mediocre show for some foldables.

Jul 28, 20231h 4m

Ep 421421: The Me Show

Flo is back next week! So Andy is exploiting this final solo episode to make it all about Him. His frustrations about saving web archives from Chrome. His extended thoughts on Indiana Jones. To his credit, he did throw in some news about Google’s new AR Space Invaders game, just so that this Google podcast doesn’t lose its liquor license. But he still heroically pivots to his own opinions about technology’s responsibilities to move the needle.

Jul 20, 20231h 18m

Ep 420420: The Snowball of Trust

Andy’s joined by a special guest this week: Jason Howell, host of All About Android on the This Week In Tech network. We replay the last episode of the first season of “Frasier” before digging into a new rash of civil lawsuits that content creators have filed against Google and other makers of AI language models. And then we talk phones: the Fair, the Nothing, and reviving Andy’s Pixel 1 by installing one of the mobile OSes birthed by the Android Open Source Project.

Jul 14, 20231h 20m

Ep 419419: Oh...Canada.

Canada is the latest country to decide that somebody should be on the hook for the news industry’s financial issues, and it might as well be Google. And, just like the offside rule in professional hockey, this is a Canadian thing that Andy doesn’t really understand. Meanwhile, Google urges its AI models to both learn more and forget more. Isn’t this the sort of contradiction that made HAL-9000 go psychotic?

Jul 6, 20231h 11m

Ep 418418: Google Is A Soft Cheese Company

Andy mourns the loss of Google’s Iris smart glasses, because he knows so way much more than Google or Apple about VR and XR. Reviews of the Pixel Fold are in! It’s a jim-dandy phone except for what happens when you unfold it. And reading coverage of last week’s Vidcon helps Andy be less judgmental about The Avengers.

Jun 29, 20231h 14m

Ep 417417: It Prefers To Stay Inside The House

Reviews of the new Pixel Tablet are in, and it looks like maybe the world is about to fall slap-happy in love! (From a certain perspective, and placed in the correct context). Chromebooks are about to receive the X-gene, and Gannett Newspapers celebrates the first day of Summer with a beach clambake-slash-massive antitrust suit against Google.

Jun 22, 20231h 9m

Ep 416416: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner In Bed

Why on Earth did Google release so many new features and updates on Flag Day? Well, Google bothered to create ‘em so Material is going to talk about ‘em...with the help of The Feature Roundup Dice. Oh, and also the EU is honking down Google’s snorkel about why it thinks it’s evil, and they want Google to knock that kind of stuff off.

Jun 15, 20231h 8m

Ep 415415: Super-Soakers Filled With Dysentery

All of this week’s stories come from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference! But Andy swears it’s all relevant to Google. Apple’s Vision Pro headset offers discussion about VR versus AI. Apple announced that they’re addressing iPhone users’ complaints about green bubbles in group messages and they’re doing it in the most Apple way possible. And Apple’s figured out a new way to hurt Android users: by going after their friends and family!!! Zounds!

Jun 8, 202346 min

Ep 414414: Belief in a Higher Weirdo

Andy has access to the new AI-enhanced Google Search and is delighted to discover that he can now waste time on Reddit far more effectively. He also has access to a new web browser that’s so innovative and helpful that he’s compelled to give Chrome a lecture about Ambition that he may or may not have heard from his father when he was 14, 17, 22, 31, 37, and 46. And: thoughts on folding big things into smaller things.

Jun 1, 20231h 7m

Ep 413413: Nickel-And-Diming My Attention Span

Andy comes right out and admits that his brain is like wet sand. All to make a larger point which may or may not land, because, as established, his brain is like wet sand. Then it’s time to talk about how Google is using AI as the spent uranium tip on new ads that will penetrate your cognitive shields. Also, there are cars and a sketchy analogy about whether or not Google and Samsung are happy in their relationship.

May 26, 202341 min

Ep 412412: The Other Shoe

Andy has a peculiar theory about system administration. Then the episode goes back to Google I/O to pick up some news that Google didn’t have the common courtesy to reveal in time for last week’s show. A beloved children’s cereal mascot is made to suffer. And Google has a wonderful plan to make top-level-domains both goofy and radically dangerous.

May 18, 20231h 1m

Ep 411411: The AI Message

It's all about Google I/O 2023! Andy and Flo talk about everything, from AI to Android to Pixel hardware. Flo also reviews the Pixel 7a.

May 13, 20231h 55m

Ep 410410: Speaking Out

Andy's solo this week, starting with some prep on what to expect next week from Google I/O. Google's AI researcher quits the company just as everything is heating up. And what will an alliance between Google and Apple look like to cut down on stalking with Bluetooth trackers?

May 5, 20231h 4m

Ep 409409: Wouldn't It Be Nice?

Google's quarterly earnings are out this week. There's good news, and then there's some tepid numbers. Then, checking in with all those Chromebooks purchased at the height of the pandemic.

Apr 28, 20231h 9m

Ep 408408: Moving Fast, Breaking Things

Why is Google rushing to push out its AI product before it's ready? And what do the employees inside Google HQ think about it? Then, a respite with a look at the leaks of Pixel hardware that will be revealed at Google I/O.

Apr 21, 20231h 11m

Ep 407407: The Chopping Block

It's springtime for Android users. The Android 14 public beta is out this week, just in time for Google to kill two more of its beloved products. Which ones are on the chopping block this time?

Apr 14, 20231h 9m

Ep 406406: Get Outta My Dreams

Andy gives his review of the Chromecast HD. Google launches Android Nearby Share for Windows in beta, plus "cross-device services" for parity between ChromeOS and Android. Why is GM planning to phase out platforms like Android Auto in the car? And Google backtracks to let you upload as many files as you like.

Apr 7, 20231h 5m

Ep 405405: Total Transparency

Google launches its new ads transparency center this week, and there is Bard drama fitting of a soap opera. Google also used this week to kill off the best part of having a Fitbit.

Mar 31, 20231h 18m

Ep 404404: Error

Andy and Flo get access to Bard, and that's all they're talking about. There are two new significant security vulnerabilities affecting Pixel smartphones. What a polarizing week!

Mar 24, 20231h 11m

Ep 403403: Catch 22

Will Google I/O 2023 turn out to be a hardware show? The rumor mill certainly thinks so. We'll discuss Google's plans to infuse AI into Workspace, Samsung's "space zoom" controversy, and the YouTube TV price increase.

Mar 17, 20231h 4m

Ep 402402: Reading the Tea Leaves

YouTube has a new CEO, so we officially say goodbye to Susan Wojcicki and the legacy left behind. Google also revealed when Google I/O 2023 will take place. And Disney thinks it's cheeky putting Baby Yoda into search.

Mar 10, 20231h 15m

Ep 401401: Super Quick Charging

Flo and Andy break down the weirdest and whackiest bits from this week's Mobile World Congress, including folding smartphones and ones that charge too fast. We're not too sure about the Motorola Rizr with a rollable display. Nokia has a budget-priced easy-to-repair smartphone in the U.K., the Pixel Watch finally has fall detection, and Google introduced new widgets this week for Keep.

Mar 3, 20231h 12m

Ep 400400: Ash Wednesday

We didn't expect this episode to be so _religious_, but what else did you expect from our 400th episode? We're celebrating our podcast about Google just as a recent ex-Googler spills the I-just-quit tea to everyone willing to read.

Feb 24, 20231h 17m

Ep 399399: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Google's chatbot hasn't been officially released, and yet it's delivering a cornucopia of interesting tidbits. Flo is still out this week, so consider this part two of Andy catching you up on how Google is scrambling to join the AI race.

Feb 17, 202356 min

Ep 398398: Late to the Game

This week's podcast is a beautiful primer on everything that's been going on with Google lately, and you'll want to tune in if you wonder why everyone's scratching their heads at the company lately. Andy will walk you through Google's latest earnings call, including where it's making money and losing it. Plus, what that AI-based event in Paris was all about, and why Google employees aren't too thrilled with Bard, the so-called ChatGPT competitor.

Feb 15, 20231h 43m

Ep 397397: Gauche

It's been a week. We'll recap everything we saw at Samsung Unpacked and then some. We'll talk about the new SmartThings Station, why Flo's smart home is a mess, and why the Galaxy S23 Ultra is kind of boring. Then, why Google is shaking in its bones about ChatGPT and what it plans to do to outrun it.

Feb 6, 20231h 16m

Ep 396396: Google's Horrible, No Good Week

Yet again, Flo is out sick this week. But thankfully, we have Andy to hold down the fort and explain why it's been an alarming week for Google. First, there were massive layoffs, with news that resonated through the zeitgeist. And then, the US Department of Justice came down with the antitrust banhammer. What will happen to Google next?

Jan 27, 202355 min

Ep 395395: Society's Challenges

Andy and Flo catch up before discussing the not-so-wild rumor that Google is working on its version of Apple's AirTag tracking mechanism. Then, why is Google pushing its work in AI so hard this week? Does the company doth press release too much? We'll also discuss why the Google Podcasts app may not be long for this world--or at least its integration into search results.

Jan 20, 20231h 6m

Ep 394394: The Mess After CES

Your co-hosts pull it together to bring you a super-sized episode about CES 2023. What did Flo see, touch, hear, and feel? A bit too much all at once, as CES is absolute sensory overload. But in the midst of it was some noteworthy news about satellite connectivity coming to Android smartphones, Google's services in the car, and a giant tablet that should reconsider life as a Chromebook.

Jan 13, 20231h 9m

Ep 393393: Bing Certainly Tries

Microsoft is coming after Google by infusing Bing with ChatGPT—should Google be concerned? Then, Big Tech had massive layoffs this week while folks were down in Vegas checking out new gadgets. Will that include Google, too? Andy will also walk you through January's Pixel security update.

Jan 7, 202348 min

Ep 392392: Too Big to Fail

Happy new year! Our last episode of the year features a deep dive into why Google should worry about technology like ChatGPT coming for its money-maker. We'll also discuss whether Google has a responsibility to deplatform apps like TikTok for being _extremely_ bad actors. Plus, the Pixel 7 is named "Phone of the Year" even if the camera lenses seem to combust spontaneously.

Dec 31, 20221h 24m

Ep 391391: Christmas Economics

Happy Christmas eve! Andy shares his favorite app for the holiday to take pictures of things you need to last forever. Then, we get into Google's latest "macroeconomic conditions" and why it's a little silly that the Pixel Tablet leaked in its entirety on Facebook Marketplace. We also discuss some of the results of MKBHD's "smartphone camera of the year" poll.

Dec 24, 20221h 15m

Ep 390390: Inflection Point

Andy and Flo have reunited again after both taking trips out of town. We talk about Google playing it cool around ChatGPT and how Android Auto taught Flo to understand the metric system. We also discuss YouTube's new moderation tactics and two new interactive games from Google.

Dec 16, 20221h 18m

Ep 389389: A Simple Tweak, a Familiar Tool

Flo is on vacation, but Andy's holding it down in a special solo show. Surprise, surprise: Google's made some changes to one of its beloved apps, and it might change the way you're used to doing things. Then, Andy takes a peek at Google's online gift shop.

Dec 9, 202248 min

Ep 388388: Naughtiness

Andy spent some cash over the holiday, and Flo is still wondering where to spend her Google Store store credit. We'll discuss the $9 million penalty that Google and iHeartRadio have to pay for deceptive Pixel 4 ads, plus the $5 Billion Google will owe Play Store customers if the latest class action suit goes terribly. We'll also lament over how hard it is to move to Mastodon.

Dec 2, 20221h 6m

Ep 387387: Gobble, Gobble

It's our annual listen-to-us-while-cooking episode! Andy and Flo regale what's on the docket this turkey/tofurkey holiday, then count down the most worthy of Google's Black Friday deals. Be sure to listen in if you're shopping!

Nov 23, 20221h 15m

Ep 386386: Hazmat Playsuit

Andy and Flo wonder what's next in social media. The two friends talk about Google's $400 million location-tracking faux pas, though Apple doesn't have clean hands either. Then, a new beta feature in DuckDuckGo to keep Android apps from tracking your activity.

Nov 18, 20221h 8m

Ep 385385: According to an Email

YouTube Kids remains questionable, and Andy has found a sincere appreciation for the Nest Hub. We'll discuss how to get your refunds from Google's defunct Stadia cloud gaming platform and what it's like to play PC games on a Chromebook. We also chat about what's next from Fitbit and its plans for a kid-centric device.

Nov 11, 20221h 11m

Ep 384384: Grey Text

Last week's podcast, today! 'Tis the season for sickness, but we're back in your ears with two episodes this week. First up: Andy does a solo show where he recaps his Nest WiFi Pro experience and notes from Google's AI@ day.

Nov 9, 20221h 30m

Ep 383383: No Defense

This week, Flo wonders why her Google search page is rife with ads, and Andy is excited over his Nest WiFi Pro on the way. The two friends discuss Alphabet's third-quarter earnings call this week. Plus, updates to the Google Home and YouTube apps.

Oct 28, 20221h 9m

Ep 382382: Clock’s Ticking

Lately, Andy and Flo's world has revolved around getting the know their Pixel Watch review units. Then, we chat about _The Information_'s report that Google is scaling back on the Assistant and what we think of this week's Messages update.

Oct 22, 20221h 10m