Android Authority Podcast: Recent Episodes
Android Authority
The gang gets together for another episode of the FDP! Yes, we changed the name of the podcast and in the beginning of this spirited conversation the team talks about why it happened. Jonathan Feist, Joseph Hindy, Andrew Grush, and Nirave Gondhia join Joshua Vergara for a longer talk this week as they go through a number of different topics. They think of what the new Android M iteration might be called (and, true to form, Joe comes up with a left-field answer) and then get into what features they would want from the next iteration of Google's mobile operating system. A talk about the newly reviewed LG G4 rounds out the conversation, including a much needed discussion about how we view good battery life.
The FDP by Android Authority - discussing topics in Android every week.
That's right, we've changed the name of our podcast to just FDP. We saw that you guys like the hashtag #FDP and we wanted to keep it, too! And among other reasons, "Friday Debate" just didn't make as much sense anymore. So, we are now the FDP - where P stands for Podcast.
This week, we have a really special episode with some very special friends. Josh was in NYC for the LG G4 launch event and the couple days were eventual, to say the least - the event itself was at the top of One World Trade Center with stunning views of Manhattan and this podcast was recorded ON A BOAT. A trek to a ship floating off the shores of the Hudson River eventually brought Josh and his guests to what would be the backdrop for this week's FDP.
Josh is joined by Michael Fisher (@captain2phones) of Pocketnow, Florence Ion (@ohthatflo) of Greenbot, and Dom Esposito (@macmixing) of 9to5Google and YouTube.com/dom! They talk about Project Fi to warm up and then get into the LG G4 itself, with plenty of fun tangents along the way. And be forewarned, the environment does mean a lot of background noise including helicopters and a creaking boat. But it's still a really fun listen so fire up your podcast app or head to YouTube to enjoy some bonus behind the scenes footage!
The gang gets together, catches up on the week's personal happenings, and then gets talking about Project Fi. For those who don't know, Project Fi is a new wireless service (basically a MVNO) by Google that focuses on the ability to move from mobile networks and Wi-Fi hotspots on the fly, as well as some simpler pricing for talk, text, and data. The functionality to switch among networks is only found on the Nexus 6, currently, however, but the gang talks about future possibilities. Project Fi is certainly an anticipated move from Google, but are we really happy with the details that have thus far come to light? Find out on the FDP!
This week we welcome another guest to the podcast, writer Nirave Gondhia as we take on a topic that was picked by you, our fans. A poll posted on Google+ yielded our topic for this week - the question of whether flagship devices still make sense with a growing midrange market. Phones coming in a lower price point are gradually bringing high-end experiences, with perhaps just a few holes left in their evolution. So, we ponder the question of how midrange devices fare against the current crop of flagships from the likes of Samsung, HTC, and future phones from the likes of LG and Sony. We run the gamut and veer off course a few times, but that's just how it goes on the FDP.
Follow our poll on Google+ once again this week and let us know which topic you want us to talk about next! Thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing your responses!
This week, the team gets together to talk about upcoming devices - in particular, the new phones from Samsung and HTC. Our main question centered on which phone our hosts would buy with their hard-earned money. But before that talk, they speak about the Apple Watch and what it might mean for the future of smartwatches. They soon realize that the Apple Watch isn't even out yet, even after talking about it at length in different perspectives. Oops.
We're making changes to the podcast very soon - nothing too big, but it will involve all of you listeners and fans! Stay tuned for all of that and check our poll for what we might talk about next week!
And to round out our double feature for today, we have the team back again for a round of Chrome OS talk. This past week (on April Fool's Day, no less) we got a number of announcements regarding the Chrome ecosystem. Chromebit is a new platform that will put a fully functioning Chrome OS onto any HDMI-capable television, Chrome OS itself is getting some good Android testing capabilities, and Chromebooks continue to grow. And with all of that in mind, the team ponders: do Chrome and cloud based solutions make sense for the kind of users we are? With Jonathan Feist as the only one in the group sporting a Chromebook; Josh, Joe, and Andrew get a crash course on what could be the future of computing.
As always, keep it tuned to Android Authority and visit the FDP page on AndroidAuthority.com for all of the links to relevant stories and social media!
Don't forget to talk about the 'cast with the hashtag #FDP and tag Android Authority across social media networks!
The flagship reviews and some techinical difficulties kept the Friday Debate Podcast from releasing on time - but to be fair, we recorded this on Friday so it still makes sense! Jokes aside, we have Lanh filling in for Andrew this week as we talk about the age-old battle between specifications and user experience. With phones like the Moto E coming along with all of these high profile releases from Samsung and HTC, we talk about whether the general usage experience really needs high end specifications. We also ponder how raw specs drive perception of a phone. And finally, we touch upon the Uh Oh program that was just recently announced by HTC in which users can get a brand new phone when their current One M9 fails or gets damaged.
It's a pretty packed episode, so make sure you tune into this episode #9 of the FDP!
Andrew Grush picks a pretty light topic for our first podcast back from MWC 2015 - our tech origin stories. Josh is joined by the usual co-hosts to talk about how they all started in the world of tech. Andrew Grush, Joseph Hindy, and Jonathan Feist all share precious memories and then Josh circles it back by connecting those upbringings to where they are today.
Grab your tissues (not really) and come listen to some tech origin stories on this episode of the Friday Debate Podcast.
MWC was incredibly busy but the guys got together to talk about their favorite things from the show. Youtube reviewer Lanh Nguyen joins Josh with the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief Darcy Lacouvee as they recount various happenings like HTC's announcements and the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge. Along the way, they reminisce about the beautiful and busy city of Barcelona, Spain, and even speak about video games. Darcy brings his business acumen to the podcast and gives us (and you) a look at some phone company inner workings.
It's not often that the Android Authority guys can get together in a room and just hang out - so we hope you enjoy one of these opportunities via the Friday Debate Podcast!
In this special edition of the FDP, Josh gets together with a couple very special guests to talk about the devices they will be covering at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Michael Fisher (@captain2phones) of PocketNow (@pocketnow) and Nicole Scott (@nicole_scooter) of MobileGeeks (@mobilegeekscom) join the show!
While pondering over HTC, Alcatel, LG, and Samsung devices, quite a few fun moments happen in the hotel room where what Josh calls "The Trifecta of Collaboration" recorded this special episode. Among them are a botched tribute by Josh to the late Leonard Nimoy, talks about Barcelona and its beauty, and the exact opposite of beauty as Michael Fisher expresses his disgust at La Sagrada Familia.
It's a jam-packed, longer-than-usual episode that you won't want to miss. Enjoy!
Sony recently announced that it would take less risks in the mobile and television divisions, bringing focus more to the Playstation brand. Our guys have seen Sony grow and iterate often in the past couple years, but this news brought the gang together for a very spirited discussion about why Sony Mobile might be going by the wayside. Their discussion gets nostalgic with memories of Sony's past, shifts to some Playstation talk, and then even moves into some talk about gaming! This might be our most packed episode yet, so fire it up and start listening!
Do you have a smartwatch on right now? If not, why do you think that is so? These are questions that the Android Authority podcast team explore in this edition of the Friday Debate Podcast, episode 4! Lanh Nguyen of the YouTube team joins host Joshua Vergara and co-hosts Joseph Hindy and Jonathan Feist to talk about wearables - in particular, smartwatches - and why they might not have met our expectations so far. They delve into the reasons why smartwatches might not be the next big thing and what needs to happen in order for them to achieve that status. For a short time, the gang talks about their lives with watches in general - and learn that Joe is a little outnumbered in that particular subject.
Android One was a program that Google announced last year at I/O, supposedly bringing the best Android smartphone experience to developing markets. Since then, it could be argued that it hasn't quite succeeded. Josh is joined once again by Andrew Grush, Joe Hindy, and Jonathan Feist to discuss all of this. Later in the show, they also go on a small rant about Lollipop!
The podcast team gets together to talk about the growing rumors of the HTC One M9. Considering that it might look very much like the One M8, they speak about how companies are starting to keep their designs and whether or not it is a good trend. Josh is joined once again by Joseph Hindy, Andrew Grush, and Jonathan Feist.
Welcome to our first official episode of The Friday Debate Podcast by Android Authority! Join host Joshua Vergara along with lead editor Android Grush, writer Jonathan Feist, and YouTube app guy Joseph Hindy as they discuss Project Ara, the modular phone ecosystem that will bring computer-level customization to smartphones. With the ability to really cater a phone to a user's liking, will Project Ara find success in its opening test market of Puerto Rico and beyond? The panel gives its various opinions on the matter, as well as what a Project Ara phone in their hands would look like.
Live from our AirBnB'd house just a few blocks away from the craziness of the Las Vegas Strip, Android Authority brings you the pilot episode of its brand new podcast, The Friday Debate. Join host Joshua Vergara, guest YouTubers Lanh Nguyen and Kevin Nether, and lead editor Andrew Grush as we talk about our favorite items from the Consumer Electronics Show of 2015.
We jump across the show floor memories with mentions going out to the LG G Flex 2, Sony's Android Bravia TVs, and the Panasonic CM1!
(Please note that while this special pilot episode was recorded live, this will only be done when applicable to live events. Most of the Friday Debate episodes will be recorded via online conference calls.)
Those who read Android Authority online are likely familiar with the Friday Debate - a weekly feature that pits our writers and/or YouTubers against a specific topic. While you can read our opinions on the website in block form, you can also now listen to them in podcast form with The Friday Debate Podcast! Join host Joshua Vergara and a panel of guests as they beat the proverbial dead horse on a specific topic in the world of Android! Coming to you every single week.