Andy and Flo start off this week wondering what attracts them to certain robot voices, and how that will inform their choices with the Google Home's latest voices update. The duo then delves into AN EARTHQUAKE and a bit of leftover discussion on Google's Pentagon contracts before musing over Essential's future as an Android player. And for those of you who can't stop, won't stop talking to the Google Home, there's good news about how well the smart speakers are selling.

This episode of Material is sponsored by:

• Pingdom: Start monitoring your websites and servers today. Use offer code MATERIAL to get 30% off.

Links and Show Notes

• Play Store: Carrot Weather

• project-maven-pentagon.html">NYT: How a Pentagon Contract Became an Identity Crisis for Google

• intelligence-human.html">NYT: How to Make A.I. That's Good for People

• 9to5Google: Essential cancels development on second phone

• Gizmodo: Google Just Turned a Huge Corner in the Smart Speaker Game