The Sideload: A 9to5Google Podcast

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...

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 s...

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 Nor...

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 Nor...

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 usin...

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...

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...

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 bra...

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 p...

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 les...

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...

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 Sp...

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...

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 Podcas...

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 You...

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...

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 smartpho...

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 rel...

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...

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 nex...

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 tec...

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...

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...

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

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 accesso...