The innovation was presented at the Google I/O 2023 conference for developers, but its first announcement was made a year ago at I/O 2022 and then again during the fall presentation of the Pixel 7. tasks and home entertainment: Sit on the Internet, watch movies and YouTube, or chat on messengers and social networks. You cannot put a SIM card in it, and the Internet connection is only via Wi-Fi. There is also no GPS and NFC, and even the rear camera is not equipped with a rudimentary flash. With modern tablets, such a solution looks rather strange. Google’s Pixel tablet looks like a smart display like the Nest Hub, although the manufacturer says it’s not a replacement. So what makes the Pixel Tablet so special?

Google Pixel Tablet: features of the tablet

There are still features. For example, the Pixel Tablet with the powerful Tensor G2 processor that the company is plugging into its smartphones allows you to draw with the universal USI stylus (unofficial, not included) and ensures smooth multitasking.

• Display: 10.9 inches, IPS matrix, resolution 2560×1600, refresh rate 60 hertz, brightness 500 nits, USI 2.0 stylus support.
• Processor: Tensor G2.
• Memory: 8 gigabytes of RAM, 128/256 gigabytes of internal memory without the possibility of installing a flash card.
• cameras: the main one is 8 megapixels (1080p at 30 frames per second), while the front is 8 megapixels (1080p at 30 frames per second).
• Battery: not specified. Up to 12 hours of battery life is claimed.
• Communication: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2.
• Other: USB Type-C, magnetic connector for docking, three microphones, four stereo speakers.
• There is a fingerprint scanner on the power button.
• The body is aluminum with a “nano-ceramic coating” that Google says is “inspired by porcelain”.
• Operating System: Android 13 and 5 years of security updates.

Pixel Tablet / Photo by Google

As mentioned earlier, the company sells a charging station as part of the tablet. It acts as a magnetic stand for a tablet and some sort of soundbar, thanks to the built-in speakers. Also in conjunction with the Pixel Tablet, the system allows you to control the “smart” home with the help of the Google Assistant. Together, both devices look very aesthetically pleasing, symmetrical, but quite wide by modern standards, reminiscent of a small monitor with bezels and a monolithic aluminum body. You can also purchase additional slots for $129.

Pixel Tablet dock / Google photo

Google Pixel Tablet promotional video: video

The dock connects to the tablet via four pins, which the spec says is capable of “charging, transferring data, and outputting audio.” The dock charges the tablet at 15 watts, and in addition to the Pixel Tablet’s four speakers, it has a 43.5mm full-range speaker for loud music playback.

Pixel Tablet is also a Google Cast receiver. Like any other Android device, Google Cast can send its content to other devices and the Pixel Tablet can be cast to other devices. You can tell your phone to play video or music on your Pixel tablet and it will.

Pixel tablet is not a Nest Hub replacement

The Pixel Tablet is said to be the smart display in Google’s Nest Hub series, giving the tablet a similar feature to Amazon’s Fire tablets. Many endorsements have even been found for this. However, on May 10, all these assumptions were completely destroyed.

The Google Nest Hub is a voice-controlled speaker that provides many different functions for a smart home. It has a large 7-inch screen with a smart interface that displays various parameters of the environment. The Pixel Tablet may look similar, but on the one hand it offers more features than a regular tablet, while on the other hand it offers less without all the privileges of the Nest Hub.

The Pixel Tablet does not have a fancy interface that displays information from the environment. You’ll see the usual Android lock screen showing the time, the usual Google Home smart home app, and the usual Google Assistant app for voice control. The only “smart screen” interface visible is a new screen saver in the form of a slide show of photos. So, if you’re looking for a screen with reminders, events, timers, or a weather forecast, you won’t find it here.

Pixel tablet (left) and Nest Hub (right) look very similar / ArsTechnica collage

When Pixel Tablet is connected to a speaker dock, the software works in hub mode to facilitate access and control of all devices in your smart home. Of course, it can also be used as a digital photo frame.

Otherwise, you can take the Pixel out of the dock and use it like a regular tablet for games, social media, videos, and more.

Price

Sales are scheduled to begin on June 20.

Cost of Pixel Tablet with docking station $449 for 128 gigabytes and $599 for 256 gigabytes. For a tablet with such small specs, the price tag seems excessive, but a kit with a “smart” stand could bribe fans of Google gadgets.