Pixel Tablet Explained

Pixel Tablet
Developer:Google
Family:Google Pixel
Type:Tablet
Baseprice:128 GB model (tablet only):
$399 USD
256 GB model (tablet only):
$499 USD
128 GB model (with dock):
$499 USD
256 GB (with dock) model:
$599 USD
Os:Android 13
Upgradable to Android 14
Power:27 Wh rechargeable battery, Power Delivery over USB-C
Soc:Google Tensor G2
Memory:8 GB LPDDR5 RAM
Storage:128/256 GB UFS 3.1 non-expandable
Dimensions: × ×
Price:$399 (128GB, tablet only), $499 (256GB, tablet only), $499 (128 GB, tablet + dock), $599 (256 GB, tablet + dock)

The Pixel Tablet is an Android tablet designed, developed, and marketed by Google as part of the Google Pixel product line. It was previewed at the Google I/O keynote in May 2022 and announced in May 2023. It was released in June 2023. At launch, a charging speaker dock was sold with each device. However, a standalone version without the dock was released on May 14, 2024.

History

In June 2019, Google told Business Insider and Computerworld that its hardware division would no longer develop tablets, following the lackluster reception to the ChromeOS-powered Pixel Slate tablet introduced the previous year. Production was halted on a successor to the Pixel Slate as well as two unannounced tablets, with the company refocusing its attention on the Pixelbook laptop series.[1] [2] In March 2022, 9to5Google reported that the company was developing a Google Assistant–powered smart display similar to the Nest Hub with a detachable tablet-style screen.[3] [4] On May 11, during the 2022 Google I/O keynote, Google unveiled a preview at an upcoming Pixel-branded Android tablet powered by the Google Tensor system-on-chip (SoC), to be released the following year.[5] [6] The tablet was certified by the Universal Stylus Initiative later that month, indicating support for stylus pens.[7] Google officially announced the Pixel Tablet at the 2022 Made by Google event on October 6. In April 2023, the Pixel Tablet was approved by the Federal Communications Commission.[8] Google revealed additional details about the device during the annual Google I/O keynote on May 10, 2023.[9]

Specifications

Design

Google shared a very brief look at the Pixel Tablet at the Google I/O 2022 event.[10] The video presents the device's soft, rounded design, including what appears to be a backing made of a matte, soft touch material. In addition, the Pixel Tablet has two cameras – one at the front, and one at the back of the device. It also features two speakers on its right edge and a power button just above the back camera, in the top right corner of the body. Google also mentioned that the Pixel Tablet has a body made out of 100 % recycled aluminum and features a nano-ceramic coating.

Hardware

The Pixel Tablet ships with a 10.95 in (278 mm) WQXGA LCD display at 276 ppi with a pixel resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. It contains an 8 megapixel rear camera, and an 8 megapixel front camera. Both cameras can film 1080p video at 30 frames per second.

The Pixel Tablet contains a 27 Wh battery, and can charge at 15 watts using its optional charging dock. It is available with either 128 or 256 GB of storage, and 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The Pixel Tablet contains a Google Tensor G2 processor, and a Titan M2 security module. The Pixel Tablet is also notable for being the first consumer tablet to feature UWB functionality.

Software

The Pixel Tablet was shipped with Android 13 at launch, and supports 3 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates.

Reception

Following the announcement of the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Watch at the 2022 Google I/O, The Verge Jon Porter opined that Google was taking a subtle approach at Apple's "walled garden" ecosystem strategy,[11] while his colleague Dan Seifert found the tablet's design unattractive and cheap-looking.[12] J. R. Raphael conceded that the tablet did not radiate a "premium" appearance, but speculated that the tablet was more akin to a smart display and concluded that Google may not be seeking to compete with the iPad.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bastone . Nick . June 20, 2019 . Google is giving up on competing with Apple's iPad as it stops making its own tablets and cancels 2 unreleased devices . limited . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620191625/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-will-stop-making-its-own-tablets-2019-6 . June 20, 2019 . August 7, 2022 . Business Insider.
  2. Raphael . J. R. . June 20, 2019 . Google's officially done making its own tablets . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190620194616/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3404206/googles-officially-done-making-its-own-tablets.html . June 20, 2019 . August 7, 2022 . Computerworld.
  3. Web site: Hager . Ryne . March 24, 2022 . Google's next Nest Hub might be the detachable tablet you always wanted it to be . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220324222217/https://www.androidpolice.com/google-nest-hub-detachable-tablet-leak/ . March 24, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . Android Police.
  4. Web site: Dent . Steve . March 25, 2022 . Google is reportedly planning a Nest Hub that features a detachable tablet . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220325114334/https://www.engadget.com/google-is-reportedly-planning-a-nest-hub-with-a-detachable-tablet-113554312.html . March 25, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . Engadget.
  5. Web site: Bursztynsky . Jessica . May 11, 2022 . Google announces its first smartwatch, a new budget phone and more . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512024712/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/11/google-pixel-watch-pixel-7-pixel-6a-announced.html . May 12, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . CNBC.
  6. News: Nguyen . Nicole . May 11, 2022 . New Pixel Phones, Watch, Buds and Tablet: Google Tries the Apple Playbook . subscription . live . https://archive.today/20220512120423/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/new-pixel-phones-watch-buds-and-tablet-google-tries-the-apple-playbook-11652295362 . May 12, 2022 . October 7, 2022 . . 0099-9660.
  7. Web site: Li . Abner . May 29, 2022 . Likely Google Pixel tablet gets USI certification and stylus support . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220529174231/https://9to5google.com/2022/05/29/google-pixel-tablet-stylus/ . May 29, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . 9to5Google.
  8. Web site: Bradshaw . Kyle . April 4, 2023 . Google Pixel Tablet arrives at FCC, revealing UWB connectivity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405022124/https://9to5google.com/2023/04/04/pixel-tablet-fcc-uwb/ . April 5, 2023 . May 6, 2023 . 9to5Google.
  9. Web site: Gurman . Mark . May 10, 2023 . Google Enters Foldable Market With $1,799 Pixel Phone to Rival Samsung . limited . live . https://archive.today/20230510190229/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-10/google-pixel-fold-pixel-tablet-price-and-release-date-official . May 10, 2023 . May 10, 2023 . Bloomberg News.
  10. Web site: Promotional video . 2022-10-16 . Youtube . en.
  11. Web site: Porter . Jon . May 13, 2022 . With its Pixel Watch and tablet, Google is getting serious about its own ecosystem . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220513153533/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/13/23070484/google-ecosystem-pixel-watch-tablet-hardware-software . May 13, 2022 . May 15, 2022 . The Verge.
  12. Web site: Seifert . Dan . May 11, 2022 . Google's 'premium' Pixel Tablet sure doesn't look very premium . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220511230039/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/11/23067679/google-pixel-tablet-tease-reaction-premium-ugly . May 11, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . The Verge.
  13. Raphael . J. R. . May 18, 2022 . Google's potentially pivotal Pixel Tablet curveball . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220518103757/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3660555/pixel-tablet.html . May 18, 2022 . August 7, 2022 . Computerworld.