Google Pixel Tablet is pretty dated and worth a new look

For the first time in 2022, Google introduced the Google Pixel Tablet, an innovative device that aims to bring together different technologies. Android tablet It has a smart screen. The company finally launched the product in May 2023, and it was…unimpressive, to say the least. As a tablet, it was quite average, but as a smart screen, it couldn’t even hold a candle to it. Google Nest Hub Maxat that point it was already in its fourth year of existence.

I will admit that when I sent the device in for review, I set it up, realized it was undercooked, and put the device into storage just a few days after my review. Pixel Tablet and Nest Hub Max Comparison The comparison article has been published. I’ve barely thought about it since. To me the device was DOA.

But in a very un-Google turn of events, the company didn’t immediately abandon the Pixel Tablet after most reviewers gave it a lukewarm response. In fact, over the past year Google has shown it a lot of love with new updates and a plethora of features. Curious about these updates, I recently removed mine from my storage and started using it again. And you know what? The Pixel Tablet is now a pretty good product and I think it deserves a new look.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Pixel Tablet is that it includes a speaker dock. It magnetically attaches the tablet to this slot, making it useful when idle. Now, instead of going in the junk drawer or backpack, the tablet can become a smart display when you’re not actively using it for something. It was (and still is) a great idea.

But the problem at launch was that it wasn’t a very good smart display. It didn’t even have half as many features as the Nest Hub Max, and had weird quirks like asking you to unlock it to perform certain smart home commands.

But since then, Google has done great work to address these shortcomings. The problems I encountered with smart home commands disappeared, which relieved me. There are also new tricks the tablet can do when docked that make it more useful. For example, when you use the tablet as a smart photo display, there’s a new share button that lets you send the currently displayed photo to friends and family. This is a simple but highly effective plugin that allows you to get closer to the people you care about, increasing your chances of interacting with them. This also brings the tablet closer to the Nest Hub Max, which supports this function via voice command (“Hey Google, share this photo with (contact name)”).

Another great new feature is the main panel screen protector shown above. This gives you quick access to your most frequently used smart home devices, including camera feeds. It still has the annoying limitation of only supporting Google cameras when it comes to previews, but at least it gives something similar to those heavily invested in the Google smart home ecosystem. Home Assistant Finally the control panel.

In May of this year, Google also finally fixed one of the most glaring smart display shortcomings in the original version of the tablet: the automatic display of your Nest doorbell camera feed. Now, when someone rings your doorbell, the camera feed automatically appears on the tablet, just like Nest smart displays. It took Google a long time to fix this, but at least it’s here now!

Let’s face it, the Pixel Tablet is still not an adequate replacement for the Nest Hub Max; The lack of certain hardware prevents this from happening. But it’s more useful than ever, and I found myself using it for smart home functionality a lot more than I did during my original testing period in 2023.

Although the Pixel Tablet’s smart display features really set it apart from mid-range iPads and cheap Android tabletsI understand that not everyone attaches importance to this functionality. After all, some people just want a regular tablet. That’s probably why earlier this year Google relaunched the Pixel Tablet with a new SKU that didn’t include the speaker dock and dropped the price by $100.

Along with this change in strategy, Google has also added new features that make the tablet work better than a tablet. That’s a good thing, because whatever smart display features Google comes up with won’t make any difference to people who don’t use it for that purpose.

A great recent change in this area is the ability to sync dismissal notifications across all your apps. pixel phone and Pixel Tablet. This solves the annoying problem of clearing your notifications on your phone and then having the notifications you just cleared remain on your tablet. While this feature is enabled (you need to turn it on by going to: Settings > Notifications > Turn off notifications on Pixel devices), anything you close on either device will be mirrored on the other, saving you a lot of time.

Another cool new feature is the ability to “throw” content from your Pixel phone to the Pixel Tablet by simply moving the devices closer together. This can allow you to go for a run while listening to music on your phone, return home, and instantly move the music stream from your phone to your tablet without skipping a beat.

App Pairs is another small but notable new addition. This allows you to save two apps as shortcuts to your home screen. When you tap this icon, the two apps will launch in split-screen mode, saving you the hassle of setting it up every time.

Additionally, many of the latest updates for Pixel phones are also available on the Pixel Tablet. This includes partial screen sharing (so you don’t need to record your entire screen, just the app you’re currently in), Quick Pair device syncing (so your new tablet knows which Bluetooth devices you’re connected to). in the past) and audio switching (automatically moving the Bluetooth audio stream from one device to another).

Considering this Pixel Drops It comes every quarter, and many new tablet-focused features are on the way!

While I fully admit to writing off the Google Pixel Tablet in 2023, I’m pleasantly surprised by how good it has become in 2024. In my opinion it is now really worth buying. However, there is still a bit of a problem with the price.

The list price of the Pixel Tablet with speaker dock is $499; This is not much of a bargain either. If you remove the speaker dock, it drops to $399, which is a little better. But there are other tablets with similar features and features at a similar price. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE ($449 at Amazon), for example, is pretty excellent for what you’ll pay. If you want to save even more, Galaxy Tab A9 Plus ($219.99 at Amazon) is not too bad.

The good news is that Black Friday sales are in full swing and Google is temporarily reducing Pixel Tablet prices. Pixel Tablet with included speaker dock ($499 on Amazon) price is much more affordable, while the Pixel Tablet is available on its own ($399 at Amazon) is very important now.

If you haven’t sold the Pixel Tablet as a smart display yet, I highly recommend the Google Nest Hub Max ($229.99 at Best Buy). It is one of the few products that has it. it literally changed my life. Forget your age; still a bang.

Honestly, it’s really disappointing to know that Google is planning to ship a product. Pixel Tablet 2However, all signs indicate that this project has been abandoned. It is quite possible that the company will completely withdraw from the tablet industry for the second time. If this turns out to be true, it will be sad to know that the Pixel Tablet is one and done. Still, the company has made the device much better over time, so if you can get it at a discount, it’s a worthwhile purchase.