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The new iPad Pro vs. the competition: Working hard
Earlier this year students and other cost-conscious consumers got their hands on the latest low-cost iPad, but now it's time for professionals to get their hands on an upgrade. This year's iPad Pro switches the line to USB-C and boasts an improved Pencil. But the field it's facing is a lot different from last year's, especially now that Google's reentered the fray with its Pixel Slate. We've taken a look at some of the top productivity tablets to see how they measure up to the 12.9-inch iPad in numbers. For the real scoop on the new iPad, though, you'll have to wait for our full review, coming in the next few weeks.
Pixel Slate vs. the competition: Get some work done
We weren't too thrilled with the first attempt at putting Chrome OS on a tablet, with Acer's Chromebook Tab 10 getting slammed for its bad cameras and poor performance — and the fact that Chrome OS hadn't really been optimized for the form factor. Maybe things will be a bit better when Google takes the helm with its Pixel Slate. We have fond memories of tablets like the Nexus 9 from 2014, as well as last year's Pixelbook laptop (less so for the Pixel C, though). We won't know how this device will fare until we formally review it, but we certainly know what it's competing against and can compare specs in this handy chart.
Samsung is still trying to make DeX happen
There was a common thread running through Samsung's two big launches this week. Both the Galaxy Note 9 and the Tab S4 feature DeX mode, a desktop-friendly interface for Android devices that the company has been working on since 2017's Galaxy S8. In fact, since the introduction of the DeX dock with the Galaxy S8 last year, Samsung has continued to expand the DeX portfolio, adding new hardware alongside minor compatibility and software updates. The company is clearly invested in making this A Thing, even when numerous tech companies in the past have failed to succeed at smartphone-powered desktops. Why?
The Galaxy Tab S4 is built for work, but gets very little done
You might be wondering: Who even buys Android tablets anymore? The answer, Samsung seems to think, is people who want not just an excellent canvas for multimedia but the multitasking prowess of a laptop without the extra heft. The Galaxy Tab S4 was designed to be a workhorse, featuring a desktop-like mode called DeX that sits on top of Android. It's supposed to provide a more familiar interface for being productive while maintaining the great entertainment experience Samsung's premium slates are known for. The tablet also comes with an S Pen so you can mark up notes or sketch caricatures on the go. But really, the main purpose of the Tab S4 is to help you get work done. The trouble is, that is the one situation where you just can't rely on it.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 hands-on: The Android tablet for multitaskers
Good Android tablets are increasingly hard to find, maybe because so few people actually buy them anymore. But for those who are looking for one, Samsung's Galaxy Tab line remains one of the best in the category. It's nice to see, then, that the company has continued to update the device, launching today the Galaxy Tab S4. The new tablet focuses on improving productivity and entertainment, with multitasking DeX software built in and a refined stylus. It's slightly prettier than before, but unfortunately, it's also $50 more expensive than its already pricey predecessor.
Samsung leak shows a silver Galaxy Tab S4 and new S Pen design
Here's a glimpse of what Samsung could reveal during its Unpacked event on August 9th. Notable gadget leaker Evan Blass (evleaks) has tweeted photos of a white (or silver) Galaxy Tab S4, the next iteration of the Korean conglomerate's S Pen-equipped tablets. The first photo he tweeted doesn't show much of the tablet's white or silver part, but it clearly shows the optional keyboard cover and Samsung's new S Pen design. He released another image showing the tablet's white/silver backside, though, which also revealed that the Tab S4 could look just like its predecessor.
