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950 'Podcast' stories August 2015 - February 2026

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The Sideload 020: AI-powered haircuts and cocktails

Will Sattelberg Feb 2 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 20, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Dom Preston, news editor at The Verge, to discuss his job, his experience at CES, and much more. From strange gadgets with bizarre AI applications to weekly check-ups on the strangest smartphone announcement ever, there’s plenty to dig into in tech. The two also dive into Dom’s personal project Braise, talk through balancing work and hobbies, and finally dip into their picks for the best films of 2025.

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Pixelated 86: A blurry vision of Android

Will Sattelberg Jan 30 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 86 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will dig into an early Android 17 build that includes one big visual change: blurred backdrops. Is this a sign of things to come for Google’s vision of its OS, or a more minor system-level tweak? The crew also checks out a leaked look at Android’s new — albeit really familiar — desktop mode, Google’s more affordable AI Plus plan for Gemini, and Chrome’s agentic AI tools.

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The Sideload 019: State of the Android industry

Will Sattelberg Jan 26 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 19, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Jason Howell, host of Android Faithful, to discuss the state of Android hardware in 2026. From major players like Samsung and Google, to smaller players like OnePlus, Jason and Will break down exactly how well Android hardware partners are performing in the market right now, and where they might be headed next.

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Pixelated 85: Goodbye Asus, hello Clicks

Will Sattelberg Jan 23 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 85 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through the end of Asus as a smartphone brand, as the company takes an indefinite hiatus from Android to focus on AI. After trying to figure out what’s next after the smartphone, we’re diving into some thoughts on the Clicks Communicator, Google’s Digital Wellbeing tools, and the whole thinking behind minimalist devices. Plus, we send Stadia off with one final goodbye.

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The Sideload 018: Is 2026 actually the year of the foldable?

Will Sattelberg Jan 19 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 18, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Derrek Lee, managing editor at Android Central, to the show to discuss his recent editorial comparing larger foldables to their clamshell counterparts. With the Razr Fold and Galaxy Z TriFold already on deck for 2026, what do clamshell phones need to regain some luster? Derrek and Will also talk through their tech-centric resolutions for 2026, from getting in shape to decluttering and saving some cash.

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Pixelated 84: New year, same Pixel

Will Sattelberg Jan 16 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 84 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through Google’s big changes to Gmail, including a new AI Inbox and improved search. They also turn their attention to Gemini’s Personal Intelligence feature that aims to make it the best virtual assistant we’ve seen yet, but not before digging into the latest Pixel 10a leaks that have us scratching our collective heads at just how familiar this phone feels.

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Pixelated 083: The gang does a tier list

Will Sattelberg Dec 24 2025 - 6:00 am PT

Welcome to episode 83 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will welcome their fellow 9to5 staff members Andrew Romero, Ben Schoon, and Jordan Floyd to the show to assemble a full tier list for 2025’s Android-adjacent launches. From phones and wearables to software upgrades and Gemini’s improvements, we manage to rank more than 20 launches from throughout the year from the best to the rest. Check out the complete tier list at the bottom of these show notes (spoilers!).

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The Sideload 017: A TriFold tour

Will Sattelberg Dec 22 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 17, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Dean Daley, Devices Editor at MobileSyrup, to the show to discuss Dean’s recent hands-on time with the Galaxy Z TriFold. From how it feels in your hands to the experience of running true tablet-sized apps on a smartphone, it’s a deep dive into some very early impressions of Samsung’s next foldable. Then, Will and Dean sum up their predictions and hopes for CES before ending with some tech hopes for 2026.

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Pixelated 082: Gone in a Glance

Will Sattelberg Dec 19 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 82 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will break down their reactions to Google’s surprise release of Gemini 3 Flash. After talking through their preferred models and Gemini launchers, the crew discusses Android 16 QPR3’s arrival and the long-awaited option to remove the At a Glance widget on Pixel. Finally, all three offer their visions for where Google is headed in 2026.

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The Sideload 016: Breaking down 2025’s biggest trends

Will Sattelberg Dec 15 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 16, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes PC Mag reporter James Peckham to the show to discuss the biggest news stories and trends from throughout 2025. From some complicated feelings on AI to serious optimism towards the world of gaming handhelds, James and Will look back on a surprisingly up-and-down year for the world of consumer technology.

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Pixelated 081: Gemin-eyes

Will Sattelberg Dec 12 2025 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 81 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner shares his experience with trying out some early samples of glasses running on Google’s Android XR platform with Will and Damien. After a surprisingly impressive demo, is it time to start getting excited for the return of Google Glass-esque technology? The trio also dips into some new changes coming to Wear OS and take a quick look at the first One UI 8.5 beta, if only to ask: what’s up with the iOS-ification of Android?

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The Sideload 015: State of the internet

Will Sattelberg Dec 8 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 15, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Daniel Bader back to the podcast to discuss his new role at 9to5Google, the state of the internet and media at large, how tricky reviewing new gadgets can be, and much more.

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Pixelated 080: A tale of two Android 16s

Will Sattelberg Dec 5 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 80 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through all of the new changes in Android 16 QPR2 and beyond. After digging through everything Google’s been working on these past few months, their attention turns to the newly-confirmed Galaxy Z TriFold. Can they make sense of what’s bound to be yet another ultra-premium device from Samsung, or does this feel like an experiment without a clear path to success?

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The Sideload 014: Stuck on you like Qi2

Will Sattelberg Nov 25 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 14, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ara Wagoner, his former co-host on The Android Police Podcast, to the show to talk all things accessories. Ara has a wide-ranging knowledge of cases, magnetic add-ons, and so much more, and over the course of a whirlwind hour, both hosts manage to squeeze in thoughts on Pixelsnap, the best way to shop for accessories, and show off some of their favorite recent mobile buys.

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Pixelated 079: AirDrop me from your Pixel 10

Will Sattelberg Nov 21 2025 - 2:10 pm PT

Welcome to episode 79 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner and Will talk through the launch of Gemini 3, breaking down all of the changes Google has made behind the scenes to its LLM. The duo also talks through the (breaking) arrival of AirDrop support on the Pixel 10, a change Google seemingly made all by itself. Finally, with Black Friday around the corner, we take a look at what deals you can score on your next piece of Google hardware.

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The Sideload 013: A treasure trove of tech flops

Will Sattelberg Nov 17 2025 - 3:00 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 13, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Android Authority‘s News Editor Stephen Schenck to the show to discuss some of their collective favorite tech failures of all time. From relitigating whether Stadia could’ve been a success to fawning over the sheer simplicity of the Chromecast Audio, it’s a walk through some of tech’s roughest moments — moments that we might’ve loved even if the rest of the world did not.

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Pixelated 078: They don’t have Pixels in Oz

Will Sattelberg Nov 14 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 78 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will tackle Google’s surprise Pixel Drop, a jam-packed update filled with new features like low-power maps, notification summaries, and a Wicked-inspired theme pack. Then Will walks through his thoughts on the OnePlus 15, a device that crushes in the battery life department but falls a bit short when it comes to, well, everything else.

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The Sideload 012: Gemini’s your roommate now

Will Sattelberg Nov 10 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 12, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ben Schoon back to the show to discuss his experience using Gemini for Home, Google’s AI-optimized suite of tools now available in early access. It’s a surprisingly positive experience in Ben’s eyes, but does that just make its letdowns sting that much more? Plus, Ben and Will talk through how Gemini can shine on Google TV, whether it’s improving the right parts of Android Auto, and Ben’s favorite smartphone of 2025.

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Pixelated 077: Putting Google Maps back in the driver’s seat

Will Sattelberg Nov 7 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 77 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will discuss the latest AI improvements making their way to Google Maps in the coming months, including improved conversational guidance along routes and landmark navigation. From there, we cover Google’s ongoing feud with Disney following the expiration of their shared YouTube TV contract, before finishing up with a dive into some extremely impressive Pixel 10 sales numbers.

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The Sideload 011: (Virtual) reality bites

Will Sattelberg Nov 3 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 11, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Nick Sutrich, Senior Content Producer at Android Central, to discuss everything VR, AR, and whatever lies in between. This isn’t just a conversation surrounding the launch of Galaxy XR and the Android XR platform — together, Nick and Will walk through the entire XR landscape, ranging from the ongoing dominance of Meta Quest to the failure of PSVR2, and, of course, a look at the smart glasses that could shape our future.

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Pixelated 076: Wait, do I want a Galaxy XR?

Will Sattelberg Oct 31 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 76 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. It’s another round of Galaxy XR talk — this time, with a full week’s worth of use under Abner’s belt (or face, rather). From tablet comparisons to finding the true use case for this sort of headset, all three of your trusted hosts have found themselves pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the device Samsung and Google has managed to build, even if it’s tough to see this as anything more than an expensive stepping stone towards the lighter, more comfortable gadgets of your sci-fi dreams.

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The Sideload 010: The highs and lows of 2025 smartphones

Will Sattelberg Oct 27 2025 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 10, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Steve Radochia, mobile author at Android Police and the creator behind his YouTube channel, StevealiciousTech. Together, Steve and Will break down the trends that defined 2025’s smartphones, from ultra-thin hardware to the state of foldables and, of course, the big debate surrounding Tensor G5. It’s an incredibly nerdy conversation, and one die-hard smartphone fans won’t want to miss.

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Pixelated 075: Is Android XR a vision into the future?

Will Sattelberg Oct 24 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 75 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, we dive into the long-awaited launch of Galaxy XR, the realized name for Project Moohan and our first glimpse at a real Android XR product. But what spot can Google and Samsung claim in a market that hasn’t shown much demand yet for premium hardware? And is the future of Android XR other third-party headsets, or is this a stopgap on the way to glasses? Abner, Damien, and Will try to make sense for this vision of wearable computing.

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The Sideload 009: The smart home gadgets you don’t think about

Will Sattelberg Oct 21 2025 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 9, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Chris Wedel, the creator behind the YouTube channel Gadgets & Gravel and a writer at sites like CNET, Android Central, and XDA. Chris has dived deep into the type of smart home gadgets you might not think about all too often — robot lawn mowers, wall-illuminating specialized bulbs, electric scooters, and much more — and the result is an exceptionally fun chat on all sorts of gadgets and the state of creation in 2025.

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