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The Pixel Tablet: A Blend of Tablet and Smart Home Hub


 In the fast-evolving world of technology, the Pixel Tablet stands out as an intriguing blend of a tablet and a smart home hub. Ten years ago, the tablet market was brimming with variety, with iPads and Android tablets engaged in fierce competition. Google's Nexus tablets, such as the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, added to the vibrant ecosystem. However, Google seemed to lose its way with Android tablets and Chrome OS tablets, leading to a decline in their production, eventually giving up on the category altogether.


In the meantime, the smart home display category gained momentum, driven by Google's acquisition of Nest. Products like the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max became increasingly popular, carving a niche as a growing product category every month. This trend led Google to a unique idea: if smart home displays are essentially inexpensive tablets, why not create a cheap tablet that can double up as a smart home hub?


And thus, the Pixel Tablet was born. While it may not boast premium features or groundbreaking performance, it brings an interesting perspective to the tablet market. With a soft touch finish on the back and a metal build, it feels solid in the hand and hides fingerprints effectively. The 11-inch LCD display with thin bezels is functional, if not exceptionally bright or fast.


In terms of performance, the Pixel Tablet runs on a Tensor G2 chip, but its overall speed is more akin to a basic mid-range Android tablet. Priced at $499, the tablet comes with a speaker dock in the box, an innovative inclusion that serves as the primary charging method. However, it's worth noting that the dock's charging speed of up to 15 watts might not be the fastest, and the speaker quality, while decent, lacks bass, both in the tablet and the dock.


One of the key features of the Pixel Tablet is its ability to serve as a smart home hub when docked. The docking process is quick and straightforward, utilizing magnets and pins to establish a physical connection for both power and data. This transforms the tablet into a useful smart speaker display with clock, photo gallery, and smart home controls, making it a convenient addition to the kitchen or other areas of the house.


In terms of software, the tablet offers some impressive features, including a new software dock, multi-user support, and a Hub Mode optimized for smart home display use. However, the app ecosystem for Android tablets still lacks meaningful optimization, with many third-party apps resembling blown-up phone apps rather than tailored tablet experiences. Nonetheless, Google's own apps take advantage of the larger display, enhancing the user experience.


In conclusion, the Pixel Tablet may not be the epitome of cutting-edge technology, but it strikes a balance between being an affordable Android tablet and a smart home hub. As a two-in-one device, it performs adequately in both roles, making it a reasonable option for users seeking versatility and functionality. While a high-end version may pique the interest of some, the current offering seems to cater well to a broader target demographic, giving a glimpse into the future of Android tablets and smart home displays.

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