Google I/O 2023 is tomorrow, and many new Google products will be unveiled there. Among these, the Pixel Tablet, the first tablet since 2018 designed by Google. We take stock of what to expect before the conference tomorrow.
The first time Google attempted a foray into the tablet market was in 2015 with the Google Pixel C. After that unique device, the company changed course by launching the ChromeOS-based Google Pixel Slate in 2018. Without success , the search engine preferred to completely withdraw from the tablet market. At least for a while, because now Google is planning an imminent launch of the Pixel Tablet. We tell you everything about this new Android tablet.
When is the Google Pixel Tablet coming out?
For now, the official release date of the Pixel Tablet has not been revealed, but we can rely on a leak from Amazon in Japan to estimate the date. According to the now-retired product page, the Pixel Tablet will be released in Japan on June 20. France could therefore follow quickly or even be entitled to an earlier exit.
Our colleagues at 9to5Google also claimed in April in an article that the release window would be in June, according to internal Google sources.
What price for the Google Pixel Tablet?
The Japanese Amazon page indicated before being withdrawn a price of 80,000 yen, or 540 euros. We can therefore expect a price in this range. Google would thus come to compete with the well-established iPad from Apple, which is currently trading at 589 euros for the 11 model.e basic generation.
In addition, the American leaker and journalist Roland Quandt claimed in a tweet that the Pixel Tablet would be marketed at 650 euros in Europe. Information to be taken with a grain of salt, however, as with all leaks.
What design for the Google Pixel Tablet?
During Google I/O 2022, the American giant unveiled some promotional photos of the Pixel Tablet, giving us a brief overview. They revealed a tablet with a very sober and smooth appearance.
Separately, developer and leaker Kuba Wojciechowski claims that the Pixel Tablet could have a very large 10.9-inch screen. Google has explicitly stated that the company is betting on the display to make its device compete with smart displays, such as the Amazon Echo Show.
The Pixel Tablet could also transform into a smart display compatible with the Nest Hub. This offers a magnetic holder to charge the device when not in active use. Once connected, the tablet screen would display a carousel of photos and allow control of connected objects in the home. Images from a Facebook Marketplace ad showed the Pixel Tablet’s docking station, which appears to be virtually identical to the Nest Hub.
A more recent leak from SnoopyTech also appears to show a mysterious third button, in addition to the power and volume buttons. It could be a privacy button, which disables the microphone and camera.
Google announced a few more design elements during its Oct. 6 Pixel event. The Pixel tablet will have rounded edges and feature a nano-ceramic coating on the back of a 100% recycled aluminum chassis. These elements will give it a softer and more comfortable touch.
There’s also a good chance that the Google Pixel Tablet will come with a stylus. On the Universal Stylus Initiative website, its code name would be “Tangor”. At its October event, the company explained that it is working with developers on applications that support the stylus.
What hardware specifications for the Google Pixel Tablet?
On the Japanese page of Amazon, the hardware specifications of the Pixel Tablet indicated to include a Tensor G2 chip, the same that equips the Pixel 7 smartphone and the future Pixel 7a, the new inexpensive smartphone from Google.
Regarding the previously mentioned screen, Amazon indicated that it was a 10.95-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
Other specs listed include 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and Wi-Fi 6E support. The Pixel Tablet would also have quad speakers, three microphones and a USB-C 3.2 port. A 27Wh battery will power the tablet.
Although the tablets are not intended for intensive use in photography, it is interesting to note that it will be two 8MP sensors at the front and at the back which will ensure the photo part, with an f/2.0 aperture and a 84 degree field. From its small name IMX355, it is the same sensor that equips the selfie camera of the Pixel 6 smartphone.
For comparison, the iPad Pros feature 12-megapixel front and rear cameras, while the entry-level iPad offers an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel front camera.
What OS in the Google Pixel Tablet?
On this side, only good news: the Google Pixel Tablet will run on Android and is developed by the same team that is in charge of the development of the OS. Google showcased it at its I/O 2022 event as an example of how the company is working to improve the Android experience on tablets. Thus, the tablet could well be the ground for the new features brought in Android 14 with the latest update.
To read : Android 14: news, release date, compatible smartphones, all about the latest Google update
Google had pledged to update more than 20 of its apps to better fit large-screen Android devices, like tablets. Thus, the user will be able to see more information at a glance and always access a taskbar located at the bottom of the screen. Of course, there will also be drag and drop functionality between apps.
To read: Google I/O 2023: how to watch the Pixel Fold and Android 14 presentation live?
The Google Pixel tablet could get a revamped interface for Google Assistant and Discover, according to an analysis of the Google Search app beta update by 9to5Google. The Assistant can be invoked using the same keyword, and while the colorful “light bar” design of the Pixel phones is still present, the Assistant will display its responses cleanly on the right of the screen.
