pixelc
Latest
How Google's hardware helps Chrome OS look its best
In the past two years, Google has stepped up its efforts to bring its own Pixel computing devices to market, but its portfolio is a mixed bag. Some devices, like the Pixelbook, have become cult favorites, while the Pixel C and Slate are more polarizing. Though those tend to be twice or thrice as expensive as similar devices by other manufacturers, Google sees its products as a canvas to show off the best possible configurations. This way, said director of product management for the Made by Google compute division Trond Wuellner, it can "inspire innovation across the ecosystem. He joined us on stage at CES to talk about lessons learned and what to expect in 2019.
Google Assistant finally works on Pixel C tablets
Google Assistant has been available on Pixel phones from the get-go and has spread to virtually every device that's even vaguely capable of handling it, but there has been a glaring exception: the Pixel C. Yes, while other Android tablets have had the AI helper for a while, Google's own slate has gone without. That glaring omission might not exist for much longer: Pixel C owners have reported that their devices now have Assistant access. Google Lens isn't accessible (unsurprising when it only just started reaching non-Pixel handsets), but you can use Assistant in landscape where other tablets require portrait mode.
Google pulls the Pixel C tablet from its online store
For now, at least, Google is out of the Android tablet game. The search giant has pulled the Pixel C from its official store, redirecting product page visitors to the Pixelbook. The company hasn't explicitly outlined its reasons, but it told Engadget in a statement (available below) that it was "common" to stop selling a product after it has been "out for a few years" -- and that's true for the Pixel C, which hit the scene in late 2015. Instead, it suggests that you get a Pixelbook if you're looking for a "versatile device."
Google tweaks the Pixel C's interface to match its smartphones
Google will probably put the promising but ultimately ill-fated Pixel C tablet out to pasture before too long -- it's been on sale for a year and a half now, after all. But that hasn't stopped the company from giving the device some attention in Android 7.1.2; users on Reddit as well as 9to5Google have both confirmed the new software update contains a bunch of tweaks for the Pixel C interface. Chief among those is a new multitasking view designed for the tablet's bigger screen. Instead of the scrolling list of open apps, the Pixel C app switcher now displays a grid of your eight most recent programs.
The Galaxy Tab S3 is good, but not $600 good
Samsung is continuing its quest to outdo Apple at the tablet game with the new Galaxy Tab S3. The $600/£599 Android slate improves on the already pleasant multimedia experience that the Tab S2 offered by packing a brilliant HDR display and four speakers tuned by AKG. It also comes with an S Pen for on-the-go scribbling. Plus, its beefy processor and long-lasting battery help the Tab S3 better take on rival flagships. But although I enjoy watching movies, playing games and sketching on the Tab S3, I still find its $600 price hard to swallow.
Android Nougat 7.1 beta is now out for select devices
Google has delivered on its promise and released the developer preview of Android Nougat 7.1 for beta testers before October ended. You can only access it if you have a Nexus 5X, a Nexus 6P or a Pixel C, though -- Google won't be releasing it for other devices until November, and its final public release won't be available until December. If you do have any of the three devices, you can expect to get an OTA update if you're enrolled to Android's beta program.
Android 7.0 Nougat review: All about getting things done faster
After a surprise debut and months of previews, Android 7.0 Nougat is ready for prime time. The broad strokes haven't changed since we first met Nougat back in March (when it was just "Android N"), which means it's still not the game-changer of an update some people have been hoping for. Instead, what we got was a smattering of big (and overdue) features mixed with lower-level changes that make Android more elegant. That might not make for the most viscerally exciting update, but that doesn't make Nougat any less valuable or useful.
Are you an Android N beta tester?
Sure, Google only proclaimed its newest build of Android N a "beta-quality" candidate yesterday, but that's more than enough time to formulate a hot take. With the new method of announcing and testing releases extremely early, the folks at Mountain View have made enrolling as a beta tester incredibly easy -- if you own a compatible device (Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, General Mobile 4G) then you can click a button on this website to dive in. Of course, if you haven't already enrolled, the usual warnings still apply. This test software still has some issues to work out, and if you decide it's not for you, then going back to Marshmallow will require a full device wipe so keep your important data backed up elsewhere. Surely some of you have already taken the plunge, so click below and let us know how it's going -- or what's holding you back.
Google lets you download Nexus upgrades without waiting
Google has long made Nexus and Pixel C factory images available for people who just can't wait to install new Android versions (or want an alternative restore option). However, they've always come with a big gotcha: since it's a complete system image, you have to wipe your phone clean. You won't have to start from scratch after today, though. Google has posted over-the-air update images for all its currently supported Nexus and Pixel C devices, giving you the satisfaction of an immediate upgrade (no weeks-long waits here) without nuking all your data.
Google grabs ex-Motorola president to unify its hardware groups
Rick Osterloh, former president of Motorola, is now Senior Vice President at Google in charge of a new hardware division that includes the company's Nexus devices, living room gadgets and Glass, Re/code reports. This means Nest CEO Tony Fadell is no longer leading Google's Glass initiatives, a role he took on in January 2015, though he'll stay on as a team adviser. Osterloh is no stranger to Google -- he led product development during Motorola's tenure under Google and helped develop the Moto X, Moto 360 and early Droid efforts.
Android N's split-screen feature is huge for the Pixel C
There was a lot to like about Google's Pixel C, but ultimately I was left underwhelmed because Android is still far behind the competition when it comes to productivity. The biggest problem? You can only use one app at a time -- unlike Windows 10, iOS 9 and Samsung's tablets. That all changes with the upcoming Android N release, though. Split-screen support for apps is basically its marquee feature. And after testing it out on the Pixel C, the final version of Android N can't come soon enough.
Google's Pixel C tablet now available in the UK from £399
Google's Pixel C might not be the tablet to replace your laptop, but it's still a beautifully put together device with oodles of power. If you've had your eye on the convertible after first seeing it a few months ago, know it's now available through Google's online store, but it don't exactly come cheap. The 32GB model is will set you back £399, while the 64GB configuration demands the pricier sum of £479. But you wanted a physical keyboard to go with that, right? Well, be prepared to pay £119 extra for either the regular or folio options. Still, at least the tablet itself is cheaper than our original guesstimations based on US pricing. With the launch of the Pixel C in the UK, Google's latest product line is now available in its entirety, just in case you're wondering what to get the gearhead in your life this Christmas.
Pixel C review: Google's first tablet makes rookie mistakes
All of a sudden, pretty much every computer maker wants a Surface-like convertible of their own. Apple's got the iPad Pro, of course, but Lenovo, Dell and HP are getting in on the action too. And now there's the Pixel C from Google, a premium hybrid tablet built in-house (just like the Chromebook Pixel), with a keyboard accessory that attaches via frickin' magnets. Much like the iPad Pro, the Pixel C seems like an experiment to see just how far you can take a mobile OS into productivity territory typically handled by desktop platforms. But while it certainly feels like an obsessively designed device, it's a bit too clunky to recommend, especially compared to the Surface 3 or other Android tablets.
The Surface Pro 4 vs. the competition: Tablets for productivity
It's been an up-and-down ride for Microsoft's line of Surface tablets -- but the company finally hit on a formula that worked with the Surface Pro 3. It's a device that has inspired a number of competitors, most recently from Microsoft's long-standing rivals Apple and Google. The newly-announced iPad Pro and Pixel C both take clear and obvious cues from the Surface lineup, but fortunately for Microsoft it now has a brand-new Surface Pro 4 to compete with these newcomers. While much of your interest in these devices will likely come from which operating system you prefer, we've lined up the specs below so you can get an idea as to how these tablets will all stack up when they hit stores later this year.
Google finally has a Surface competitor in the Pixel C
Say hello to the first-ever Android tablet built by Google. It's the Pixel C, and just like how the Chromebook Pixel was the creme de la creme of Chromebooks, the Pixel C looks to be Google's attempt at making the best-ever 2-in-1 Android tablet it could possibly make. And yes, it appears to be Google's answer to the Microsoft Surface as well. My initial impression? It's gorgeous. Crafted out of anodized aluminum, the Pixel C is superslim, smooth to the touch, light as a feather and is quite simply one of the most elegant tablets -- nay, gadgets period -- that I've ever held in my hands.
The After Math: Google Nexus 2015 press event
Google held a press conference in San Francisco this morning to announce a slew of new and updated devices. We saw two powerful new mobile phones, the Nexus 5x and 6P, as well as a new iteration of the Chromecast (and its new audio-only cousin). Google also unveiled its take on the Microsoft Surface with its Pixel C convertablet. Here's how all these new products stack up, by the numbers. Get all the news from today's Google event right here.
UK pricing for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C and new Chromecasts
It's Android day today, with Google announcing a whole host of new products including the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C and two new Chromecasts. Whether you're interested in some, or all of the company's latest devices, we've got all available UK pricing right here.
Google's Pixel C tablet is Android's official answer to the Surface
You may have tuned into Google's event expecting Nexus phones, but Google just threw a big (if not entirely unanticipated) wildcard into the mix: Meet the Pixel C. The 10.2-inch Android Marshmallow device is the first tablet Google has designed completely in-house, and it's a not-so-subtle attempt at competing with Microsoft's Surface line, Apple's iPad Pro and other high-end tablets that turn into makeshift laptops with the right add-ons. In this case, there's an optional, smart Bluetooth keyboard ($149) that docks with the Pixel C when you're bent on getting work done, clings to the back of the tablet when you're not using it and charges when closed with the tablet attached. And much like the similarly pro-minded Chromebook Pixel, the Pixel C is using a USB Type-C connector -- you can even share chargers with the new Nexus phones if you're so inclined.
