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Stephen Hall

stephenjhall

Stephen is Growth Director at 9to5. You can find his current work at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google 9to5ToysElectrek, and more. If you want to get in touch, follow me on Twitter. Or, email at stephen (at) 9to5mac (dot) com, or an encrypted email at hallstephenj (at) protonmail (dot) com.

Connect with Stephen Hall

It’s okay for Google to kill your favorite features — in fact, they must

Google is certainly on one end of a spectrum in its approach to app development. If another software maker is conservative and careful about the features they add to their apps and when, you could say Google is… the opposite. It’s long established that A/B testing is a deep part of the company’s culture, and its consumer-facing apps are no exception.


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Alphabet Scoop 061: Android Q leak / Pixel 4, Google Camera, and Pixelbook 2 rumors

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about an early build of Android Q that leaked out, Google Camera 6.3 and what it tells us about Google Pixel 4, and some exclusive rumors about the Pixelbook 2.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 060: Q&A w/ Stephen & Abner

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about some questions you have for us. Want to know our thoughts on something? Let us know in the livestream chat on YouTube.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 059: Google Pixel 4, Stadia, Google stops making tablets again

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about Google cancelling its tablet plans in the wake of the Pixel Slate, some more Google Pixel 4 chatter, and the first Google Stadia livestream which brought new details.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 058: Did Google just announce the Pixel 4?

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about the Google Pixel 4. Lots of rumors this week left Google with only one option — to show off the phone themselves on their own Twitter account.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Rumor: Google’s Project Soli radar chip could debut in Google Pixel 4

pixel 4 project soli

First announced at Google I/O 2015, Project Soli is a Google ATAP endeavor based on radar hardware, most notably for device control via subtle hand movements. Whether you’re using a watch, phone, or tablet, this miniature radar sensor can, among many other things, differentiate between very fine motions to perform various platform-specific functions. Now, we’re told that 2019 might be the year that Soli finally shows up in Google’s hardware products…


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First credible Google Pixel 4 renders surface online w/ glass back, huge camera bump

google pixel 4 leak

Let the games begin. Notorious leakster Onleaks is back at it again, sharing our very first early look at the Google Pixel 4 in new renders (via Pricebaba). As you can see in the images above and below, based on “early prototyping schematics,” the Google Pixel 4 will seemingly sport a glass back, a huge camera bump, and perhaps yet another notch.


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Alphabet Scoop 057: Android Q Beta 4 features, Stadia Connect, and WWDC chat

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about  the latest features and changes with Android Q Beta 4, today’s Stadia Connect with details on the game streaming platform, and we chat about WWDC a bit.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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YouTube web

YouTube comes under fire once again for turning a blind eye to harassment

Harassment and cyberbullying have been problems for YouTube since day one, but the latest controversy is definitely a unique case. One Carlos Maza, in a tweet thread that’s now gone viral, explains how right-wing commentator Steven Crowder has, among other things, made “repeated, overt attacks on [his] sexual orientation and ethnicity.” Now, YouTube has publicly responded to those concerns and deemed the comments not out of line with the site’s policies.


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Alphabet Scoop 056: More Huawei stuff, Note10 jacks & buttons, Made by Google

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about some updates on the Huawei situation, the Galaxy Note 10 going without jacks and buttons, and some more Made by Google things.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 055: Huawei drama, Glass Enterprise 2, Made by Google things

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about the Huawei ban and its implications for Huawei and Google, the second generation Google Glass Enterprise Edition, and some new Made by Google devices passing the FCC.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Alphabet Scoop 053: Google I/O 2019 reactions, impressions, and more

alphabet scoop podcast

This week we talk about everything that happened at Google I/O 2019 — Pixel 3a, Google Nest rebrand and the Google Nest Hub Max, Android Q Beta 3, and much, much more.

Alphabet Scoop is available on Google Play, Google PodcastsiTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, and through our dedicated RSS feed for Pocket Casts and other podcast players.


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Comment: Google Pixel 3a at (effectively) $300 is just a stupid good value

pixel 3a

For the last year or two, I’ve consistently recommended a refurb Google Pixel or Pixel 2 as The Phone To
Get for most people looking to buy in the $200 to $400 range. Their excellent cameras, software, and just overall solid-ness made them hard to beat despite perhaps not having the best value spec-for-spec. With the Pixel 3a, there’s now a great value alternative to old Pixels. It’s the new Pixel.


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Google announces Pixel 3a and 3a XL w/ familiar design, lower price, Snapdragon 670, more

Google just announced the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, the latest addition to its smartphone lineup and the first Pixels to come at prices that could be considered less than high-end. The Pixel 3a shares great similarities with the Google Pixel 3 line that proceeded it. These two phones appeal to a different subset of the market, though, with lesser specs, cheaper materials, and a lower price…


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Google I/O ’19 Keynote Live Blog + News Hub: Pixel 3a, Nest Hub Max, Android Q, and more

It’s time for Google I/O 2019! The annual developer festival in Mountain View, California is here, and we’re on the ground to keep you updated throughout the morning with the latest announcements. The Google I/O 2019 Keynote kicks off at 10am PT/1pm ET, so read on for quick links to our roundup coverage over the last few weeks, tweets from the ground, and all the latest news about Pixel 3a, Nest Hub Max, Android Q, Google Assistant, and more…
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How to watch the Google I/O 2019 Keynote for Pixel 3a, Nest Hub Max, Android Q, more [Livestream]

I/O 2019 behind the scenes

Google is finally set to unveil the long-rumored Google Pixel 3a, Nest Hub Max, Android Q, and plenty of new features and developer-related announcements for its immense number of software products and services. Google I/O 2019 kicks off at 10am PT on May 7th, and here’s is how to tune in to the livestream…


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