Popping out of Google I/O, all anybody might speak about was the Pixel Fold, all the new AI tips coming to Google apps, or what number of instances Sundar Pichai mentioned “AI.” Virtually nobody paid a lot consideration to the Pixel Pill or Pixel 7a because of the insanely costly foldable that adopted them on stage.
That is a disgrace, as a result of our Pixel 7a reviewer was blown away by its high quality, and since the Pixel Pill arguably issues extra for the Pixel ecosystem.
Google stopped taking note of tablets proper round its half-hearted Pixel Slate launch, solely altering its stance as soon as the pandemic led to extra folks caught at dwelling wanting bigger screens. The Pixel Pill’s success or failure will determine if this pivot to higher Android pill software program is one other short-term blip, or if Google actually will keep a full gadget ecosystem.
Whereas I will admit that I spent extra time on my Pixel Fold hands-on whereas attending Google I/O 2023, I did spend a good chunk of time testing the Pixel Pill and talking to the Google {hardware} workforce concerning the gadget, and got here away largely glad with what I noticed.
The actual query is, ought to folks purchase this as a Nest Hub substitute, or a less expensive various to the Galaxy Tab S8, or ought to they not purchase it in any respect? Here is what it was like to make use of the Google Pixel Pill.
Google Pixel Pill: All concerning the Charging Speaker Dock
The final time Google made a pill, it was a ChromeOS gadget that our Pixel Slate review referred to as a “professional pill” however a “mediocre laptop computer.” This time round, the Pixel Pill makes use of Tensor as a substitute of Intel, has no official keyboard accent, makes you purchase your personal third-party USI stylus if you need one, and no equal to Samsung’s DeX Mode.
In different phrases, Google is not even making an attempt to focus on the productiveness crowd that may purchase a Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra or Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3. The Google engineer I spoke to mentioned it was extra for “informal productiveness.”
As an alternative, the entire Pixel Pill expertise is concerning the bundled Charging Speaker Dock, which (fortunately) I appreciated loads. You magnetically connect the Pixel Pill, and it goes into Hub mode. Audio is enhanced, you’ll be able to rapidly entry Google House controls, Google Assistant is all the time listening — it is the standard sensible show expertise you’d get on the Nest Hub Max. Solely you’ll be able to take this alt-Hub show with you and begin streaming motion pictures on the sofa, too.
The very first thing I seen when eradicating the Pixel Pill is how firmly the magnets maintain it in place. You must give it a superb tug, which implies it most likely will not fall off if somebody or one thing bumps into it. If you reattach it, you may really feel it instantly when it syncs to the connection factors. And the tablet-dock combo takes up a thin footprint in your desk or counter due to the steep angle.
I additionally seen that whereas the Pixel Pill’s quad audio system sounded tinny on their very own — I actually want it had a 3.5mm headphone jack — the sound drastically improved when the pill was docked. Google says the Dock delivers 4X the bass quantity, however I would say highs and mids sounded a lot better, too. It was onerous to evaluate in a crowded out of doors testing area, although.
Google did not have sensible dwelling tech set as much as check the new Google Home app. Usually talking, the Pixel Pill’s usefulness will rely upon whether or not or not you’ve gotten Google House-compatible cameras, thermostats, sensible lights, sensible locks, and different tech.
However I do like how simply you’ll be able to entry all of those controls, and that the Charging Speaker Dock ensures that your pill is not all the time useless or at low battery everytime you want it — an issue I usually have with my Galaxy Tab S8+ regardless of its wonderful battery life.
In different phrases, I would say Google actually designed the Charging Speaker Dock nicely. I do not suppose many individuals will purchase a number of Docks for various rooms in the home, as Google clearly hopes you’ll. Regardless that, in concept, transferring your sensible dwelling hub from the lounge to the bed room at evening is a cool use case.
Together with the Dock within the field was the best name even when it raised the Pill’s worth by $100, because it makes an in any other case pedestrian pill extra noteworthy.
Consolation over fashion
The Pixel Pill has noticeably thick bezels, a heavy design, and extra matte supplies as a substitute of the metallic end you usually see on high-end tablets nowadays. In different phrases, you would possibly take a look at it and see telltale indicators of a funds pill value skipping.
In reality, thick bezels on tablets have their makes use of. Regardless that they make the Pixel Pill heavier, additionally they give you extra space to comfortably grip it. Utilizing an iPad Air or Galaxy Tab S8 places extra strain in your fingertips to keep away from unintended touches, whereas the Pixel Pill leaves sufficient room in your palm and fingers to relaxation on one facet.
Plus, the hard-edged design that makes premium tablets look smooth additionally makes them dig extra into your fingers. I respect that the Pixel Pill’s rounded edges and ceramic materials present a extra pure form and texture for my fingers, and that the official case apes this design.
Talking of the silicone/polycarbonate case, it appears to be like sturdy sufficient to deal with falls, and it has tiny slots built-in to make sure the Pill nonetheless fees while you mount it on the Dock. The one downside with it’s that it provides an additional 9.3oz to the 17.3oz pill, making it fairly darn dense for its measurement.
As for the metallic ring stand…I’ll reserve judgment. It stays inflexible at virtually any angle, which is an efficient signal for its stability on onerous surfaces. However its narrowness will most likely make it much less sturdy when you prop it on a smooth mattress or one other uneven floor. And I might see it by chance scratching a floor in case your pill will get shoved.
General, I would say the Pixel Pill is snug to make use of, which issues greater than its appears to be like. It lacks a signature characteristic just like the Pixel telephones’ digital camera bar to make it stand out, however its rounded-edge look grows on you. And at the very least the Hazel and Coral colour choices stand out greater than the boring Professional pill colours you usually get.
Google discovered the best compromises for the Pixel Pill
For those who contemplate that Google fees $130 for the Charging Speaker Dock, that basically implies that the $500 Pixel Pill’s elements value even lower than you would possibly suppose. And that makes what Google managed to attain with the Pixel Pill much more spectacular.
Mid-range tablets must make compromises, however a number of the tablets I’ve examined just like the Galaxy Tab S7 FE made the mistaken compromises. That had a last-gen chipset, a 60Hz refresh charge, no fingerprint sensor, and a poor selfie digital camera, and it made you pay additional for greater than 4GB of reminiscence. All for $30 greater than the Pixel Pill.
So what does the Pixel Pill offer you? The identical Tensor G2 chip and 8GB of RAM because the Pixel 7, a 2560 x 1600 decision with 120Hz refresh charge, a facet fingerprint sensor, and a greater entrance digital camera because of Google’s AI tips.
I can not correctly decide the Pixel Pill’s efficiency in so quick a time, however apps loaded rapidly and I might swap between two split-screen apps with no lag. Scrolling was satisfyingly clean, too.
500 nits of brightness could not sound like a lot, however it’s pretty customary for a mid-range LCD pill, and it is larger than the 300–400 nits’ max on a lot of the best Chromebooks. I would say it was a bit of dim for out of doors use however completely useable when you’re not in direct daylight, and indoors it’s going to look nice.
Whereas the 8MP 84-degree digital camera falls quick in comparison with the 12MP ultra-wide auto-focus sensor you get on a Tab S8, I did see Google’s digital camera prowess at work when a Google rep pulled up a mock Google Meet name. The 3D background that adjusts behind you while you transfer the pill round is cute, and the visible high quality of my face appeared to outperform the digital camera’s MP degree. We’ll have to check it correctly in our assessment, nonetheless.
I am genuinely stunned that Google managed to hit these specs and supply a Dock at this worth level. The upcoming Galaxy Tab S9 will nonetheless beat it with an AMOLED improve, S Pen, sooner Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 efficiency, and IP67 water resistance. However Google might simply undercut Samsung.
It is also going to harm Lenovo, which has 6% of the pill market share via its stock-software Android tablets. Certainly one of my favourite 2022 tablets was the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, which prices barely much less with a greater show, however Lenovo’s gradual software program updates in comparison with Google’s rapid-fire updates might be a deal-breaker for a lot of, as a result of it means you will not get entry to the newest multitasking and sensible dwelling instruments as rapidly.
My colleagues have requested me if the Pixel Pill is a Nest Hub substitute, given the deal with the Dock and Hub Mode. Contemplating the Pixel Pill prices 5X the 2nd Gen and twice the Nest Hub Max, it is sensible Google is not branding it that manner. Individuals are used to low cost, good sensible shows.
However Google undoubtedly sees this as the middle of your sensible dwelling expertise, reasonably than one thing that you’re going to deliver into college or the workplace for work. You can achieve this, however the lack of a stylus and keyboard cowl proves Google had its priorities elsewhere.
So, the query turns into whether or not folks with or with out a sensible dwelling can buy the Pixel Pill. To the primary query, it is onerous to say with out spending extra time with Google’s unique software program and new House UI, however since Google hasn’t launched a brand new Nest within the final couple of years, the Pill must be floor zero for the newest Google House tech.
In any other case, you could find one thing cheaper like an Amazon Hearth pill when you merely desire a slab for streaming and looking. So shopping for the Pixel Pill is extra about finishing your Pixel ecosystem when you already personal a Pixel telephone and Pixel Watch.
If the Pixel Pill does tempt you, you’ll be able to see our information on how to preorder the Pixel Tablet, or you’ll be able to see the way it compares to the present best Android tablets available on the market. In the long run, I would describe the Pixel Pill as having some intriguing options that make it value taking note of, even when it is not particularly flashy or highly effective.
The brand new Google Pixel Pill has a quick processor, a wealthy and clean show, robust battery life, the promise of speedy Android updates and Google House tech, and a cushty design. Mixed with the Charging Talking Dock, it is positioned to change into the middle of your sensible dwelling.