The Sideload: A 9to5Google Podcast

Episod

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  Finding Digital Peace with Light Phone 27.07.2026 54min

  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 YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.
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  Digital Landscaping with Chris Wedel 20.07.2026 1j 26min

  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 YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.
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  Niagara Launcher, Ten Years In with Peter Huber 06.07.2026 1j 3min

  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 YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Subscribe to 9to5Google Pro for exclusive bonus content, podcast episodes, and more.
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  Specs for Your Specs with Andrew Romero 22.06.2026 1j 1min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music
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  Accidentally Sponsored by Planet Fitness with Joe Maring 08.06.2026 1j 1min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music
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  Tech Positivity with Daniel Bader 01.06.2026 1j 14min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music
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  Your Google I/O 2026 Primer with Ben Schoon 15.05.2026 58min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music
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  You (Probably) Can't Buy the Best Smartphone Cameras with Nick Gray 11.05.2026 58min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music
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  Why Your Next Phone Might Be a Downgrade with Steve Radochia 04.05.2026 1j 2min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts
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  The Fate of OnePlus with Nick Sutrich 27.04.2026 1j

  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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  A RAMpocalypse Survival Guide with Damien Wilde 20.04.2026 1j 1min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts
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  Smartphone Solvers with Andrew Romero 13.04.2026 1j 46min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts 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 Short Life and Quick Death of Samsung's TriFold with Allison Johnson 30.03.2026 1j 13min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts 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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  A Neo Kind of PC with Rich Woods 23.03.2026 1j 4min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts 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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  Ecosystems and the Outrage Trap with Ryne Hager 16.03.2026 1j 13min

  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. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts 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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  Folding Tablets and Other MWC Wishes with Ben Schoon 09.03.2026 1j 9min

  Welcome to The Sideload episode 25, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Ben Schoon back to the show to discuss his week attending MWC 2026. From Qualcomm's new wearable-focused chipset to Lenovo's very promising concept gaming tablet, it's a whirlwind exploration of everything Barcelona had to offer — and we still find time to dunk on Honor's robot smartphone. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts 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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  An Overwhelming Avalanche of Slop with Daniel Bader 02.03.2026 1j 6min

  Welcome to The Sideload episode 24, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Daniel Bader back to the show. With the entire industry traveling for either Samsung or Mobile World Congress, Daniel and Will sit down to talk about the Galaxy S26 launch, before spiraling into a deep conversation on AI, the RAM shortage, SiriusXM curators, tech optimism, iPods, and much, much more. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts
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  Cable TV, Now with More Hoops with Brady Snyder 23.02.2026 1j 7min

  Welcome to The Sideload episode 23, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Brady Snyder onto the show for a double-header conversation. First, Brady and Will discuss the state of streaming media, starting with YouTube TV's recently-launched channel packages before expanding to price hikes, hoop-jumping, and the return of physical media. Then the two turn their attention to Apple Music, a service both use despite their love of Android. What is it that keeps them on a rival's platform, and is Apple's Android app good enough to get other users to switch? Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts
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  Name! That! Phone! with Joe Maring 16.02.2026 1j 5min

  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
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  Building a Healthier Smartphone Relationship with Damien Wilde 09.02.2026 1j 7min

  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