The Sideload

49 'The Sideload' stories August 2025 - October 2026

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The Sideload 049: The death of the browser

Will Sattelberg 30 minutes ago

Welcome to episode 49 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is once again joined by Daniel Bader — now in a more permanent co-host position, listen to the episode to find out more — as they discuss the state of browsers outside of Chrome, what we’re even looking for in a browser in 2026, and how agentic use cases might completely shape the web as we know it.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 048: It’s AI Mania, Not AI Psychosis

Will Sattelberg Oct 20 2026 - 1:52 pm PT

Welcome to episode 48 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Daniel Bader to discuss AI mania, vibe coding, and the uneasy feeling of finding useful tools in an industry you inherently cannot trust.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 047: The highs and lows of Pixel at 10

Will Sattelberg Oct 13 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 47 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5Google’s own Ben Schoon and Android Authority’s Joe Maring for a roundtable discussion on a decade of Pixel phones and some speculation on what’s to come. Plus, we play a rapid-fire quiz game to see who can identify the most Pixel devices from the least amount of visual information. Happy birthday, Pixel!

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 046: Frictionmaxxing

Will Sattelberg Sep 29 2026 - 1:31 pm PT

Welcome to episode 46 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Allison Johnson to discuss her experience with Meta’s new agentic AI chatbot Muse, and whether agents are really prepared to save their users time. Plus some thoughts on the iPhone 18 Pro’s variable aperture, Allison’s hands-on impressions of the iPhone Duo, and much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 045: If everything’s important, nothing’s important

Will Sattelberg Sep 22 2026 - 2:36 pm PT

Welcome to episode 45 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Daniel Bader as they sit down with Kevin Michaluk (aka Crackberry Kevin) and Jeff Gadway from Clicks to discuss the upcoming launch of the Clicks Communicator. They discuss launching a first-gen smartphone during the RAM crisis, what it’s like to return to physical keyboards, and how you build a product that avoids becoming a jack of all trades, master of none.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 044: Duo’s and don’ts

Will Sattelberg Sep 15 2026 - 2:45 pm PT

Welcome to episode 44 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Android Authority’s Stephen Radochia to discuss what Android brands should and shouldn’t take away from Apple’s first entry into the foldable market.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 043: Your repairable future

Will Sattelberg Sep 8 2026 - 1:45 pm PT

Welcome to episode 43 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5’s Daniel Bader for an interview with Fairphone’s CTO Chandler Hatton. The trio discusses the brand-new Fairphone Gen 6+, the company’s first official US launch, the appetite for repairable devices amid the growing RAM crunch, and much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 042: A genderless Pixel experience

Will Sattelberg Aug 25 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 42 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Damien Wilde joins Will as they continue to break down what’s good — and not so good — about Google’s latest phones. Come for the Snapdragon-Tensor debate, stay for a sweaty analogy that compares the Pixel 11 series to various Halloween sequels.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 041: A vision of Pixels to come

Will Sattelberg Aug 18 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 41 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Ben Schoon joins Will to discuss the future of Pixel, as Google’s Pixel 11 attempts to bridge the gap between always-accessible AI assistant and a more minimalist, digital wellbeing-friendly experience. They also dig into the world of AI ads, posters, and more, and wonder whether they’re doing far more harm than good to the people who choose to monetize them.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 040: Finding digital peace with Light Phone

Will Sattelberg Jul 27 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 40 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Kai Tang and Joe Hollier of Light to discuss the recent announcement of the Light Flip, the urge to disconnect from your smartphone, and finding the right balance between being offline without being inconvenienced.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 039: Digital landscaping

Will Sattelberg Jul 20 2026 - 3:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 39 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Chris Wedel of Gadgets & Gravel to discuss the modern internet landscape, finding moments of peace around technology, and the ever-evolving world of robo-lawnmowers.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 038: Niagara Launcher, ten years in

Will Sattelberg Jul 6 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 38 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Peter Huber of Niagara Launcher to discuss the origins of Niagara, what it’s like maintaining a launcher in 2026, their partnership with the upcoming Clicks Communicator and so much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.

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The Sideload 037: Specs for your Specs

Will Sattelberg Jun 22 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 37 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Andrew Romero to discuss the ongoing rise of smart glasses, what brands are nailing the basics, and what to expect from Google’s entry into the market later this year. Plus, live-ish reactions to the Steam Machine’s pricing.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 036: Accidentally sponsored by Planet Fitness

Will Sattelberg Jun 8 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 36 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Android Authority‘s Joe Maring to discuss Health Coach, Google’s latest fitness-focused chatbot launched alongside the Fitbit Air.

Sponsored (for real) by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 035: Tech positivity

Will Sattelberg Jun 1 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 35 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5‘s Daniel Bader to discuss looking for positivity in gadgets, unplugging from the internet, the joys of Niagara Launcher, and much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 034: Your Google I/O 2026 primer

Will Sattelberg May 15 2026 - 2:24 pm PT

Welcome to episode 34 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by 9to5‘s own Ben Schoon as he breaking his usual release schedule to bring you a guide on what to expect next week at Google I/O 2026.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 033: You (probably) can’t buy the best smartphone cameras

Will Sattelberg May 11 2026 - 2:35 pm PT

Welcome to episode 33 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Phandroid‘s Editor-in-Chief Nick Gray to the show to discuss his time spent with Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra and Vivo’s X300 Ultra. They might not be on your wishlist for your next Android phone, but Nick discusses what makes their cameras so exceptional, what it’s like using an imported phone as your daily driver, and whether we’ll ever see some of the best aspects on display here come to North American devices.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 032: Why your next phone might be a downgrade

Will Sattelberg May 4 2026 - 2:00 pm PT

Welcome to episode 32 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes YouTuber and podcaster Steve Radochia back to the show to take a deep dive on Motorola’s latest Razrs. What does it mean for the industry — and for your next phone — when price hikes start being accompanied by tangible downgrades? They also talk about Steve’s new podcast Old’s Cool and spend five minutes debating the merits of each Ocean’s film.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 031: The fate of OnePlus

Will Sattelberg Apr 27 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 31 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Android Central’s Nick Sutrich back to the show to discuss the swirling rumors surrounding OnePlus. From its fate in Europe looking questionable to quiet demand in North America, things aren’t looking great for the “Never Settle” brand. Will and Nick look back at their own histories with OnePlus, what set the brand apart from its contemporaries, and how this situation became a problem to begin with.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 030: A RAMpocalypse survival guide

Will Sattelberg Apr 20 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 30 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Damien Wilde back to the show to discuss everyone’s favorite topic: price hikes. With gadgets across the board getting more expensive — sometimes to the tune of more than $500 for a single laptop — Will and Damien break down the current state of play in the industry, alongside what you can do to help ease the pain of upgrading in 2026.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 76% on a two-year subscription alongside four extra months for absolutely free by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 029: Smartphone solvers

Will Sattelberg Apr 13 2026 - 2:46 pm PT

Welcome to episode 29 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes 9to5‘s own Andrew Romero back to the show as the pair attempt their best impression at consulting. From Samsung’s messy Galaxy S-series lineup to a crucial piece of advice Google should adopt for the Pixel 11, Will and Andrew are fixing every flagship Android series sold in the US — for absolutely free, no less.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 77% on a two-year subscription by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 028: The short life and quick death of Samsung’s TriFold

Will Sattelberg Mar 30 2026 - 2:30 pm PT

Welcome to episode 28 of The Sideload, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Allison Johnson, senior reviewer at The Verge, to discuss her attempts at purchasing and reviewing Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold in the run-up to its eventual demise. They also discuss Allison’s hands-on with Google’s new agentic tools for Android and wonder whether this is a lead-up to some more impressive demos to come at this year’s I/O.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 77% on a two-year subscription and score a free Amazon gift card by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 027: A Neo kind of PC

Will Sattelberg Mar 23 2026 - 2:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 27, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Rich Woods, content director at XDA Developers, MakeUseOf, and HowToGeek, to discuss the MacBook Neo, Windows 11’s public opinion problems, and whether Google’s upcoming Android-for-desktops OS can actually make a meaningful splash in the market.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 77% on a two-year subscription and score a free Amazon gift card by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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The Sideload 026: Ecosystems and the outrage trap

Will Sattelberg Mar 16 2026 - 1:30 pm PT

Welcome to The Sideload episode 26, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ryne Hager, former blogger and VP of US Operations at Muse Per Se, to discuss modern tech ecosystems, the consolidation of the entire internet, feeling upset online, and much more.

Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 77% on a two-year subscription and score a free Amazon gift card by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.

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