Pixel Tablet
DeveloperGoogle
Product familyGoogle Pixel
TypeTablet
Release dateJune 20, 2023; 6 months ago (2023-06-20)
Introductory price$500 (128 GB), $600 (256 GB)
Operating systemAndroid 13
Upgradable to Android 14
System on a chipGoogle Tensor G2
Memory8 GB LPDDR5 RAM
Storage128/256 GB UFS 3.1 non-expandable
Connectivity
Power27 Wh rechargeable battery, Power Delivery over USB-C
Dimensions10.2 in (260 mm) × 6.7 in (170 mm) × 0.3 in (7.6 mm)
Mass17.39 oz (493 g)
WebsitePixel Tablet

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.

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.[citation needed] 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 of 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 2560 × 1600 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 included charging dock. It will be 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

After Google announced it had abandoned plans on developing further tablets, Dieter Bohn of The Verge criticized Google's "institutional neglect of Android and ChromeOS on tablets", noting that Google's many tablet efforts had failed simply because they had not been a priority for the company and opining that it would be difficult for Google to "catch up" with Apple's iPad Pro.[11] Following the announcement of the Pixel tablet and Pixel Watch at the 2022 Google I/O, The Verge's Jon Porter opined that Google was taking a subtle approach at Apple's "walled garden" ecosystem strategy,[12] while his colleague Dan Seifert found the tablet's design unattractive and cheap-looking.[13] 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.[14]

References

  1. ^ 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". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  2. ^ Raphael, J. R. (June 20, 2019). "Google's officially done making its own tablets". Computerworld. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Hager, Ryne (March 24, 2022). "Google's next Nest Hub might be the detachable tablet you always wanted it to be". Android Police. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Dent, Steve (March 25, 2022). "Google is reportedly planning a Nest Hub that features a detachable tablet". Engadget. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Bursztynsky, Jessica (May 11, 2022). "Google announces its first smartwatch, a new budget phone and more". CNBC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  6. ^ Nguyen, Nicole (May 11, 2022). "New Pixel Phones, Watch, Buds and Tablet: Google Tries the Apple Playbook". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  7. ^ Li, Abner (May 29, 2022). "Likely Google Pixel tablet gets USI certification and stylus support". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Bradshaw, Kyle (April 4, 2023). "Google Pixel Tablet arrives at FCC, revealing UWB connectivity". 9to5Google. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  9. ^ Gurman, Mark (May 10, 2023). "Google Enters Foldable Market With $1,799 Pixel Phone to Rival Samsung". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  10. ^ "Promotional video". Youtube. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Bohn, Dieter (June 21, 2019). "Google Was Never Really Serious About Tablets". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  12. ^ Porter, Jon (May 13, 2022). "With its Pixel Watch and tablet, Google is getting serious about its own ecosystem". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  13. ^ Seifert, Dan (May 11, 2022). "Google's 'premium' Pixel Tablet sure doesn't look very premium". The Verge. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  14. ^ Raphael, J. R. (May 18, 2022). "Google's potentially pivotal Pixel Tablet curveball". Computerworld. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.

External links

Google
Google Pixel
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