Google launched its first self-branded Android cellphone in 2010, and has been releasing regular new fashions at the very least annually since then. Its historical past with tablets is extra tumultuous: After getting early hits with the inexpensive Nexus sequence, Google tablets have misplaced out to Samsung and Apple at each flip, and it’s been virtually 5 full years because the ill-fated Pixel Slate. The $499 Pixel Pill, totally revealed at Google I/O 2023 after a 12 months of ready, is taking a brand new strategy by enjoying on Google’s good residence prowess.
What’s completely different concerning the Pixel Pill?
The Pixel Pill is each a traditional, media consumption-focused slate, corresponding to the iPad Air, and a wise residence administration station, a la Google’s personal Nest Hub or Amazon’s extra premium Echo units. Pull the factor out of your bag and it’s an everyday pill, splendid for browsing or streaming video. However place it on the magnetic speaker dock with POGO pin charging (included within the field, no much less!) and it turns into a form of super-powered Nest display screen in what Google calls “Hub Mode.” From there it’s able to handle all your property’s lights, music, and different devices, or operate as a Google Forged display screen for the media in your different units — a primary for an Android pill.
What are the specs of the Pixel Pill?
If this appears a bit acquainted, it ought to: Amazon tried one thing comparable a number of years in the past, promoting charging docks that may flip its Hearth-branded tablets into de facto Echo units. The distinction is the scope. Google is aiming the Pixel Pill as a extra premium machine competing immediately with mid-range iPads, versus Amazon’s always-budget Hearth line. The Pixel Pill makes use of an 11-inch, 2560×1600 LCD display screen, Google’s Tensor G2 processor (the identical one discovered within the Pixel 7 cellphone), 8GB of RAM, and a fingerprint unlock constructed into the facility button.
The pill’s seems to be are a bit on the plain facet, extra just like the unassuming Pixel 5 than newer Google telephones, with a single 8MP digicam on the rear and an identical one on the entrance. The case makes use of aluminum with a nano-ceramic coating for a matte end, out there in “Porcelain” (white, with matching white bezel on the entrance) or “Hazel” (gray). An off-pink “Rose” colour is out there in some markets, and all are matched to the speaker dock included within the field.
Google Pixel Pill with Charging Speaker Dock Way of life Pictures
Talking of that dock, it consists of a powerful 15-watt speaker with a 43.5mm driver for “4 instances the bass than the Pixel Pill alone.” Once you dock the pill audio will seamlessly transition to the dock, and the pill’s distinctive triple far-field microphones will begin listening to your “Okay Google” instructions, similar to any of Google’s Nest units. Oddly the Pixel Pill lacks the face-scanning powers of the Nest Hub Max, however in any other case it’ll basically flip itself into a cheerful (and cute) little good display screen. You should buy additional docks to relaxation and cost the pill round the home or your workplace, and equipment just like the kickstand-packing first-party case work with the dock. Off of that 15-watt charger, Google says the pill will final for 12 hours of video streaming.
What software program does the Pixel Pill run?
The Pixel Pill comes with Android 13, the latest model of Google’s cellular working system, with 5 years of assured updates. And it’s undoubtedly cellular — in contrast to the extra professionally-targeted Pixel Slate which ran ChromeOS and was closely marketed with keyboard add-ons. No, Google’s backing off the thought of a productiveness machine and never desiring to compete with cheaper laptops or Microsoft Floor-style devices, leaving that area to Chrome-powered tablets just like the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet. This factor is all-tablet, on a regular basis…when it’s not a wise residence hub. The pill additionally consists of some first-to-Android assist for a number of person profiles, splendid for sharing the machine across the folks in your house.
How a lot will the Pixel Pill value?
Which brings us to the value. Google is asking $499 for the Pixel Pill (£599 within the UK). It’s up for pre-order now, delivery in June. That places it between the value of the usual iPad and the upgraded iPad Air, with higher storage (128GB on the bottom mannequin versus 64GB) and the included dock within the field, however sans the choice for a 5G improve. On paper it’s an excellent deal, even when Google’s pill is thicker and heavier than the svelte Air.
However Google has spent the final 5 years kind of ignoring the Android pill market, ceding the {hardware} area virtually completely to Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo, and giving app builders little to no cause to give attention to software program experiences for greater screens. Maybe the announcement of the Pixel Fold, Google’s first foray into folding telephones, will give Android a long-overdue cause to give attention to greater than five-to-six inches of display screen area. And maybe pairing the Pixel Pill to Google’s extra strong place within the good residence area will give it a needed enhance on the competitors.
However talking as somebody who’s been with Google {hardware} since that very first cellphone, numerous Nexus tablets, the Pixel C and the Pixel Slate, I wouldn’t maintain my breath. Positioning this as a premium pill in the identical area because the iPad, and thus competing with Apple’s best-in-the-industry pill interface and app assist, is an aggressive transfer from an organization that hasn’t earned the belief of pill customers after a decade of makes an attempt.
