Topic: Google One

Google has begun charging users for Gmail storage once they exceed a 15-gigabyte limit, a move described as a "long-game bait and switch." Users are being prompted to sign up for "Google One" to continue receiving emails. The hosts recommend ProtonMail as an alternative, though they express minor concerns regarding its default encryption key structure.

Google CFO Ruth Porat was filmed crying on stage while recounting the night of Hillary Clinton's election loss. Porat shared a story about her father's history as a refugee to emphasize her commitment to non-discrimination. However, biographical details reveal she moved from Manchester, England, to Massachusetts for her father's research fellowship at Harvard, leading to criticism of her framing herself as a typical refugee.

A leaked PowerPoint deck suggested the U.S. government should build a nationalized 5G network to compete with China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative. The hosts deconstruct the proposal as a lobbying effort by Google and major financial institutions like Wells Fargo and JP Morgan to gain access to mobile infrastructure.

A promotional event for Google's self-driving cars took place at the Thinkery children's museum in Austin, Texas. Attendees observed the "bean-shaped" prototype vehicles and interacted with Google staff members who indicated that "Phase One" of the rollout—where drivers are trained to take over manually from software—is projected for 2020. The event was characterized as lacking clear marketing direction or public engagement despite the presence of live music and refreshments.

German citizens are actively resisting Google Street View cars due to historical cultural sensitivities regarding surveillance and privacy. Reports indicate that Google vehicles have been sabotaged with punctured tires, reflecting a broader European skepticism toward the data collection practices of American tech giants.

Google announced a partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA) to investigate and defend against cyber attacks, specifically those originating from China. The hosts express skepticism regarding the impact on user privacy and the "Do No Evil" corporate motto.

Google has applied for authorization to buy and sell wholesale energy, leading to speculation that they intend to become a major player in the "smart grid" market. The hosts compare this move to the business model of Enron. Additionally, the new Google Nexus One (HTC) phone is reviewed, with the hosts noting its slippery design and lack of dual-touch capabilities.