The Sideload: A 9to5Google Podcast

Welcome to The Sideload episode 22, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Joe Maring back to the show to discuss his recent anti-buyer's guide, a list of Android devices he currently recommends you stay away from. After discussions around the Pixel 9a and Motorola's Moto G-series, Joe plays the first-ever round of a new game invented by Will, where he'll have to figure out what smartphone is being described just from a handful of clues. Play along at home! Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/mq9CAb451FA Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:23 - Anti-buyer's guide 00:27:27 - Name That Phone! 01:01:46 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Joe Maring Read Joe's anti-buyer's guide here! Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

Welcome to The Sideload episode 21, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is once again joined by Damien Wilde, video producer at 9to5Google, as the two work through their feelings about smartphone addiction, the state of social media, and much more. From finding healthier second screen options to the joys of Do Not Disturb and movie theaters, Will and Damien both share how their individual relationships with technology have been shaped and warped by the ever-evolving state of the web. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/Bwk9bIn-SgU Hosts Will Sattelberg Damien Wilde Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. And for even more Android discussion, dive into the official 9to5Google forums!

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/EAfssWbTGqU Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:24 - Being a News Editor at The Verge 00:12:43 - Chasing Down the Trump Phone 00:24:49 - Dubious AI Gadgets at CES 00:40:57 - Dom's Newsletter Braise 01:00:16 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Dom Preston Check out Dom's newsletter Braise at Substack! Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/NKoAu1gNX10 Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:54 - OnePlus 00:18:43 - Google 00:31:42 - Motorola 00:41:54 - Samsung 00:54:16 - Nothing and TCL 00:58:49 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Jason Howell Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/U54Nhw3j4_E Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:02 - Derrek's Article on Foldables vs. Clamshells 00:12:27 - Samsung's TriFold Ambitions 00:24:30 - Moto Razr Fold Thoughts 00:35:07 - Where Do Clamshells Go From Here? 00:40:48 - 2026 Tech Resolutions 01:02:13 - Wrap-up 01:05:42 - Bonus Pokémon Thoughts Hosts Will Sattelberg Derrek Lee Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/XqN8qIV1siQ Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:35 - Galaxy Z TriFold impressions 00:45:22 - CES 2026 preview 01:08:30 - 2026 tech hopes 01:20:13 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Dean Daley Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer. You can also give feedback on The Sideload's early episodes by visiting this link.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/6qe6bfJyG54 Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:27 - AI 00:21:23 - Gaming 00:45:37 - Streaming 01:10:09 - What about 2026? 01:16:49 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg James Peckham Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/1TPaHCI5_jI Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 02:43 - Daniel's Role at 9to5 16:54 - Health of the Internet 32:24 - Modern Product Reviews 48:17 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Daniel Bader Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/-kEA-_NhAok Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - The right way to buy accessories 18:10 - Should accessories impact what phone you pick? 25:27 - Our favorite Qi2 accessory experiences 40:00 - Accessories worth shopping for 55:50 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Ara Wagoner Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMoOjpOXqA Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:33 - Flop #1 00:14:18 - Flop #2 00:23:51 - Flop #3 00:30:47 - Flop #4 00:38:29 - Flop #5 00:43:11 - Flop #6 00:50:23 - Flop #7 00:55:59 - Stephen's favorite gadget of 2025 01:01:59 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Stephen Schenck Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/ii0PNeQjXHA Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 02:01 - Gemini for Home 36:55 - Gemini's next app takeover 50:08 - Ben's favorite phone of 2025 53:20 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Ben Schoon Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdLcfdKHUPc Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:02 - Nick's VR experience 00:10:04 - Galaxy VR 00:23:20 - Samsung's current-gen rivals 00:35:32 - Where VR excels 00:48:03 - Smart glasses 01:06:48 - Laser Dance 01:11:16 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Nick Sutrich Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/wUo8L9XUz5M Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:03 - Ultra-thin smartphones 00:18:30 - The state of foldables 00:36:21 - Is the noise surrounding Google Tensor getting too loud? 00:53:21 - Bonus rapid round 01:05:45 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Steve Radochia (YouTube, Android Police) Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/8og1-JIsxZM Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:19 - Gadgets & Gravel 00:06:32 - Creating in 2025 00:17:35 - Robo-lawnmowers 00:40:57 - Weird smart lights 01:04:03 - Wrap-up 01:06:50 - Bonus football chat for those that care Hosts Will Sattelberg Chris Wedel Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 8, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Damien Wilde, 9to5Google's resident video producer, to discuss Google's final lineup of Pixel products for 2025. Alongside some (brief) impressions of the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a, Will and Damien zoom out to look at the state of Pixel as we head towards its official ten-year anniversary, including the growing frustration around Tensor G5 and the magic of Material 3 Expressive. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/w3mQy6Yg7NY Timestamps 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:57 - Pixel Watch 4 00:14:58 - The state of mobile software in 2025 00:29:26 - Big picture Pixel 10 thoughts 00:59:01 - Pixel Buds 2a 01:10:17 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Damien Wilde Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 7, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Ryan Haines, Senior Writer at Android Authority and an avid running enthusiast to talk through every aspect of how modern technology collides with fitness. Even if you aren't into running — or, perhaps, even if you deeply despise it — Ryan's experience with apps like Strava, wearables from brands like Garmin, and open-ear earbuds designed with exercise in mind makes this a must-listen episode for anyone curious what fitness tech is like outside of the Google ecosystem. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcbr2L8FHZ8 Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:10 - Garmin and other smartwatches 00:26:14 - Strava and other applications 00:38:12 - Running with earbuds 00:44:28 - Training apps and other fitness topics 01:03:25 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Ryan Haines Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to The Sideload episode 6, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will is joined by Daniel Bader, his previous co-host on the Android Police podcast, to talk about smart speakers ahead of new hardware from Google. Daniel also dives into his thoughts on recent audio hardware from Apple, Bose, and the newly-updated Pixel Buds Pro 2, and the AI-powered necklace getting mocked across the internet. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/fPrmB3G4FEs Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 04:06 - Nest and subscriptions 15:10 - Smart speakers in 2025 41:42 - Sonos and earbud review roundup 58:14 - Recommendations and wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Daniel Bader Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to episode 5 of The Sideload, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Will is joined by Michael Fisher, better known online as Mr. Mobile. Although perhaps best known for his love of foldables, Michael published several reviews this year focusing on minimalist gadgets, ranging from the Minimal Phone (MP01) to the Light Phone 3. Together, Will and Michael discuss the ups and downs of an always-connected society, whether these devices actually improve your mindset, and what they miss about the internet's good old days. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/i_oeKok1OPg Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 03:25 - What's it like using minimalist phones in 2025? 13:30 - The old internet vs. the new internet 29:50 - The age of AI smartphones 32:59 - Your dream minimalist smartphone 53:45 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Michael Fisher YouTube Threads Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to episode 4 of The Sideload, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Will is joined by 9to5's own Andrew Romero, hot off a recent review of Honor's new Magic V5 foldable. Together, Andrew walks Will through what makes Honor's latest device so enticing, where the software falls short, and what draws him to foldables in the first place. The two also explore the future of folding phones following Samsung's excellent Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the ever-evolving rumor of a folding iPhone. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-hNs6FByl0 Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro and the Honor Magic V5 00:20:55 - Ultra-thin phones 00:25:57 - The software experience 00:36:45 - Foldable design trends 00:45:13 - Honor's durability stunt 00:50:25 - Camera bumps 00:55:29 - Foldable use cases 01:03:18 - What would you use? 01:19:00 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Andrew Romero Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

Welcome to episode 3 of The Sideload, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Will is joined by Joe Maring, Trending Editor at Android Authority, to discuss their respective experiences with the Pixel 10 series. With Joe back from a recent trip to visit Will in Buffalo, the two discuss how Google's latest smartphones hold up under the stress of traveling, including whether the battery life is good enough to survive the airport, how the camera performed at Niagara Falls, and the utter mess that is Daily Hub. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts https://youtu.be/AemsydKfcn8 Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:20 - Traveling with Pixel 10 00:21:10 - How's the camera? 00:47:57 - Daily Hub and AI 01:09:33 - Wrap-up Hosts Will Sattelberg Joe Maring Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts Pixelated 9to5Mac Happy Hour Electrek Space Explored Feedback? Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.