Pixel Tablet: Google's big return to tablets

Google is returning to the tablet market with the unveiling of the brand-new Pixel Tablet, a 499-dollar device designed specifically for home entertainment. The Pixel Tablet is available to pre-order from 10 May and is set to launch on 20 June.

The new Pixel Tablet is quite a departure from Google's previous efforts in this category, focusing on what people typically use tablets for: watching videos and mobile gaming in the comfort of their own homes.

The Pixel Tablet features an 11-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, uniform bezels and a matt back. It will be sold in three colours: white, dark green and light pink.

Its design includes an aluminium frame and is reminiscent of the Pixel 5 smartphone. One of Google's most interesting decisions is to include a magnetic speaker dock with the tablet, serving several purposes, including, of course, charging.

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Google Pixel Tablet: What can it do while docked?

When docked, the Pixel Tablet will resemble the Nest Hub Max, a smart display Google released in 2019. However, the Pixel Tablet is an Android device rather than a smart display, as it runs entirely different software and offers different capabilities. So what can it do while docked? It can display a slideshow of images from Google Photos to act as a digital photo frame, serve as a control panel for smart home devices and accept voice commands for Google Assistant queries.

The Pixel Tablet is equipped with the Tensor G2 processor and 8 GB RAM. Storage options are either 128 or 256 GB. The battery provides up to 12 hours of video playback, and there is, of course, a USB-C port for wired charging. It is worth noting that the device is intended for Wi-Fi-only use, with no 5G or LTE options available.

Four speakers and three microphones

Continuing with the hardware, the Pixel Tablet has four speakers and three microphones for video calls. It also features two 8 megapixel cameras: one on the back and one on the front, while a fingerprint sensor is built into the power button for biometric authentication. Google has not made its own keyboard or stylus for the tablet, but it will be compatible with Bluetooth keyboards and USI 2.0 styluses.

Convenience and entertainment

The Pixel Tablet's software is tailored for home use, with an emphasis on convenience and entertainment. It runs Android 13 and will be upgraded to Android 14 later this year, with a promise of five years of updates. More than 50 Google apps have been optimised for its larger screen, but the device will not have dedicated productivity features like those offered by competitors such as Samsung, Apple and OnePlus. Instead, the Pixel Tablet aims to provide a seamless and enjoyable home entertainment experience that appeals to the majority of users.