One of many thrilling and irritating issues on the subject of writing about tech is the onslaught of leaks that occur on a weekly (or day by day) foundation. It’s virtually inconceivable to keep away from studying about some potential machine or characteristic that’s within the pipeline. And it’s not restricted to only one model or firm, as evidenced by supposed iPhone 15 options being revealed only a month after the iPhone 14 was launched.
With the Pixel 6, Google determined to vary issues up a bit, because it tried to get forward of the leaks by revealing its new flagship lineup in August 2021 earlier than really releasing the units simply two months later. This got here as a shock however was additionally a calculated transfer to start out increase the hype prepare earlier than the ultimate unveiling.
Most tablets are boring now
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That pattern continued in 2022, because the Pixel 7, 7 Professional, Pixel Watch, and even a Pixel Pill have been proven off at I/O ‘22. The distinction this time is that whereas the primary three of these units have arrived this 12 months, the Pixel Pill isn’t slated to land till “someday” in 2023. However as an alternative of simply leaving ok alone, Google went forward and confirmed off much more options which might be coming to a tool that you just nonetheless can’t purchase but.
There’s an excellent probability that the Pixel Pill may assist change the course of a market that has change into extraordinarily boring. Outdoors of the iPad, low cost Android tablets reign supreme, however there actually aren’t too many variations between one thing just like the Amazon Hearth HD 8 and most of the finest Android tablets. Positive the interfaces are completely different, and also you don’t have entry to the Play Retailer on Amazon’s tablet. However you possibly can nonetheless obtain just about any apps you’ll need, whatever the platform.
The Pixel Pill may reshape the market
One main change we have now been seeing is within the completely different options that Amazon has included with its ever-growing Hearth Tablets lineup. As an alternative of simply being a media consumption machine, there’s a brand new push to show these tablets into transportable Echo Present-like shows. If you’re residence, throw your tablet on a dock, and use it identical to you’ll some other Amazon Echo Present. Functionally talking, this has largely labored effective for Amazon’s tablets and is simply seen as a “bonus” if you would like a cheap tablet.
As detailed in the course of the Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch occasion, Google is planning an analogous, but completely different, method to this concept of a modular tablet. A number of the leaks we’ve seen already stableted the beans, forcing Google, but once more, to attempt to “share the products” with out really making the tablet obtainable.
Primarily, Google will even be releasing a “Charging Speaker dock,” explaining what the pogo pins on the again of the Pixel Pill are literally for. When docked, your Pixel Pill might be remodeled into a bigger model of the Nest Hub Max. This contains having the ability to management your favourite Google Assistant-powered good residence equipment or enjoying some music whilst you’re cleansing the home. And when the cleansing is finished, simply pull the tablet off of its dock and use it for no matter you end up desirous to do.
Because the resident tablet nerd for Android Central, this clearly has me excited for the Pixel Pill. The tablet market wants a little bit of a spark, and whereas we’ve seen Lenovo attempt to accomplish comparable up to now, it by no means actually caught on. The Good Tab M8 and M10 are nonetheless nice tablets that pull double-duty as a wise show. However possibly one thing with a extra elegant design, reminiscent of what the Pixel Pill seems to be to supply, may really be a catalyst for the tablet market on the entire. Latest leaks have even prompt that an upcoming iPad may embody the identical performance, seemingly with Apple’s HomePod branding.
Taking part in the ready sport is annoying
Whereas I’m completely infatuated with what Google is promising right here, I’m additionally impatient. It was one factor for Google to announce its return to the tablet market greater than 4 years after its final try. But it surely’s one thing else totally to spoil all of the enjoyable whereas nonetheless holding its subsequent product again till someday subsequent 12 months. We didn’t even get a extra definitive timeline for a launch.
By the point it’s lastly time for the Pixel Pill to be launched, all the wind might be gone from its sails. I wouldn’t even be stunned if an announcement with pricing and availability comes as only a weblog publish. And whereas an argument could possibly be made that Google is doing sufficient to maintain everybody glad, I wish to supply a counter.
Google may have had a “One Extra Factor” second
Even with all the leaks and all the pieces that we persistently see, how superior would it not have been for Google to provide us a “One Extra Factor” second? That’s precisely what the Pixel Pill may have been. I’m unsure if we’ll see one other machine between now and I/O 2023, so I don’t precisely know when this might’ve been.
Presently, I really feel like many could have forgotten concerning the Pixel Pill by the point you possibly can stroll right into a retailer and seize one for your self. Possibly there’s nonetheless an opportunity for a shock, as particulars not too long ago surfaced concerning a possible “Pixel Pill Professional” of types.
Or possibly, Google’s ready till the rumored Pixel Fold is prepared, launching each at (or round) the identical time. There’s quite a lot of focus proper now on bettering the tablet expertise, which in flip, can be bettering the expertise on telephones just like the Galaxy Z Fold 4. I assume I’ll hold kicking the can down the road till I should buy the Pixel Pill, however right here’s to hoping {that a} shock occasion comes early in 2023, full with Google’s newest tablet and its first foldable telephone.
