Again in 2022, Google made the shock announcement that it was getting again into the pill sport with the Pixel Pill. After it was lastly launched in 2023, the Pixel Pill provided an identical but completely different expertise in comparison with a lot of the competitors.
Even nonetheless, we’re at all times seeking to the longer term, and that is the place to be if you wish to study extra concerning the Pixel Pill 2. On the time of this writing, that is purely based mostly on hypothesis, as there has but to be a lot in the way in which of rumors or leaks. Nevertheless, every time new info turns into obtainable, we’ll be updating this publish with a purpose to present a central hub for a possible successor to the Pixel Pill.Â
Google Pixel Pill 2: Availability
Making an attempt to discern when Google will launch a possible Pixel Pill 2 is a bit tough. The corporate first introduced the unique Pixel Pill at I/O 2022, however it wasn’t launched till June 2023.
A part of this could be attributed to fine-tuning the software program, because it was Google’s first foray again into tablets since 2015. Nevertheless, we cannot be shocked if Google finally ends up transferring to a yearly cadence, placing the Pixel Pill 2 to reach someday in June 2024.
Google Pixel Pill 2: Value
Not together with any present gross sales or reductions, the Pixel Pill retails for $499 with 128GB of storage or $599 if you’d like 256GB. Included with that’s the Charging Speaker Dock, which retails for $129 if bought individually.
Supplied that the Pixel Pill 2 is an iterative replace and contains the Dock, we’re anticipating it to be obtainable for a similar $499 beginning value. There are some things that might throw a wrench into this, because the Pixel Pill is not good, and a successor can be served effectively if it offered some significant upgrades that we’ll contact on.
Google Pixel Pill 2: Rumors and specs
Regardless of being launched greater than six months in the past, there has but to be a lot in the way in which of rumors or leaks for a possible Pixel Pill 2. However we aren’t anticipating Google to drastically change the formulation only one yr after releasing the primary model.
That being mentioned, we’re anticipating the general design to stay the identical, probably retaining the ten.95-inch show, full with its assist for USI 2.0 stylus pens. It is also probably that the pogo pins will return, guaranteeing that you should utilize the brand new pill with the “previous” Charging Speaker Dock.
With regards to energy, it makes essentially the most sense for Google to rely by itself Tensor G3 chip, which debuted alongside the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. In comparison with the Tensor G2, the G3 is constructed on the 4nm course of, providing a lift in each efficiency and effectivity.
Nevertheless, the largest improve Google introduced with the Tensor G3 is within the on-device machine studying. That is the place the Tensor G3 paired with the Pixel 8 shines, as Google designed it to deal with many alternative machine studying fashions. Particularly with speech, the Tensor G3 “even understands pauses and “ums,” making it good for many who wish to use the Pixel Pill as a Nest Hub substitute.
Google Pixel Pill 2: Wishlist
We have been ready and hoping for Google to re-enter the pill marketplace for years, and whereas the Pixel Pill is nice, it is from good. It does not take lengthy to return to the conclusion that the {hardware} was designed at the very least a yr or two earlier than it was unveiled. With that in thoughts, right here are some things that we wish to see Google enhance upon or deliver to the Pixel Pill 2.
A greater show
Frankly, there aren’t very many tablets on the sub-$500 value level that supply a 2560 x 1600 QHD show. Nevertheless, the issue is not a lot with the decision or high quality as it’s with the kind of panel that is getting used.
We might love for the Pixel Pill 2 to make use of an OLED panel, versus the LCD display that is discovered within the present iteration. This is able to end in a significantly better pill for content material consumption, whether or not it is for gaming or simply watching motion pictures. Google probably opted for LCD just because OLED screens are dearer, and the corporate wished to hit a sure value goal.
The opposite main show improve that we wish to see within the Pixel Pill 2 is the next refresh charge. When you go searching at among the greatest telephones and even Chromebooks, you may discover extra screens with sooner refresh charges. Even nonetheless, the Pixel Pill’s show is locked at 60Hz, so an improve to at the very least 90Hz would make a ton of sense.
Much more equipment
We’re fast to reward Samsung for together with its wonderful S Pen within the field with most of the greatest tablets. And admittedly, we weren’t anticipating Google to incorporate a Charging Speaker Dock with the Pixel Pill. In addition to a case, the commonest equipment are a stylus and keyboard, and Google has but to launch first-party options in both class.
There have been rumors and rumblings a couple of Pixel-branded USI pen and keyboard case, however it’s virtually like Google is simply holding again. This might be to make them obtainable alongside the Pixel Pill 2, however these of us who like utilizing tablets as moveable workstations have been left to determine a unique resolution.
On the brilliant aspect, that is not a lot of a difficulty, as Penoval makes a number of wonderful USI pens, so at the very least there’s one thing. Sadly, the identical cannot be mentioned for a keyboard cowl. As a substitute, you may have to depend on a kickstand case and Bluetooth keyboard.
Let the Speaker Dock work with out the pill
When hooked up, the Pixel Pill paired with the Charging Speaker Dock supplies a superb and sudden expertise. However, as quickly as you take away the pill from the dock, you simply have a speaker that does not work as something aside from a paperweight.
Perhaps it was completed to keep away from cannibalizing gross sales of the Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max, however you may’t use the Charging Speaker Dock if the Pixel Pill is not hooked up. We won’t assist however really feel as if it is a main oversight and one which needs to be remedied.
It is merely disappointing to incorporate a fairly stable speaker solely to render it ineffective everytime you wish to choose up your pill. And we’re certain together with an upgraded model with the Pixel Pill 2 would open the door to a bunch of complaints. Nevertheless, it might make way more sense to let the dock flip right into a Nest Audio, of types, once you wish to choose up and use your pill and need the music to maintain taking part in.