Pixel Slate | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:49:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Pixel Slate | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Google is giving up on making tablets https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/google-is-giving-up-on-making-tablets/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/google-is-giving-up-on-making-tablets/#respond Mon, 24 Jun 2019 09:00:41 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=416372 The Pixel Slate won't be getting an upgrade anytime soon.

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Google hasn't exactly been a serious player in the tablet market over the last few years. The company most recently launched the Pixel Slate as a Chrome OS powered alternative to the iPad and Microsoft Surface with its own detachable keyboard but it looks like we won't be seeing a follow up any time soon, as Google is bowing out of the tablet market for now.

According to a Google spokesperson, the company has officially stopped production on two yet to be announced tablets that it had in the works. One of these was going to be a successor to the Pixel Slate but it will no longer be coming out. Instead, Google will be focusing its resources on Pixelbook laptops instead and leaving tablets behind.

While Chrome OS tablets will no longer be coming from Google itself, the company will continue to support the existing Pixel Slate with software updates and is going to continue working on Chrome OS.

Google has never quite found its footing in the tablet market. Back in the Nexus days, Google did find success with the Nexus 7 and partners like Samsung and HTC did produce Nexus-branded tablets at one point in time. However, once Google shifted from Nexus to the new Pixel line, the Pixel C and Pixel Slate struggled to gain ground while the smartphone side of things seemed to sell fairly well.

KitGuru Says: Google could return to tablets again someday but for now, it looks like we won't be seeing any more. Interestingly, two new tablets were planned to launch at some point this year but quality assurance tests caused a change of heart.

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Google transfers hardware employees amidst downsizing, rather than making them redundant https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/damien-cox/google-transfers-hardware-employees-amidst-downsizing-rather-than-making-them-redundant/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/laptops/damien-cox/google-transfers-hardware-employees-amidst-downsizing-rather-than-making-them-redundant/#respond Wed, 13 Mar 2019 10:53:55 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=406640 ‘Cut backs’ seems to be a key phrase alongside ‘layoffs’ this year, as every company seems to be shaking things up, inevitably making a number of employees redundant. Even Google is not immune as it scales back its dwindling hardware division, but the Search giant is ensuring that its employees still have a home within …

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‘Cut backs’ seems to be a key phrase alongside ‘layoffs’ this year, as every company seems to be shaking things up, inevitably making a number of employees redundant. Even Google is not immune as it scales back its dwindling hardware division, but the Search giant is ensuring that its employees still have a home within the company by asking them to temporarily transfer to other departments.

During its Pixel launch in 2017, Google unveiled its efforts to bring laptops and tablets under its own wing rather than solely relying on third-party Chromebooks. It seems as though the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate haven’t fared as well as the company had originally hoped, as its Google Create hardware division has been hit the hardest by “roadmap cutbacks.”

Business Insider reports that Google is asking dozens of employees that have worked on products ‘Made by Google’ to shift over to other positions within parent company Alphabet, as the Search giant itself downsizes its hardware department. According to an anonymous employee speaking with the publication, the Create group had a “bunch of stuff in the works,” indicating that a range of products were set to arrive alongside the tentatively titled Pixel 4 before the change-up.

Its upcoming flagship handset is unaffected by the restructuring, as the Pixel division is entirely separate. In fact, many affected employees are reportedly hoping to integrate into the Pixel team, although Google has refused comment in order to clarify.

KitGuru Says: Although it’s not ideal to be yanked from the comforts of your normal job and given an ultimatum, it’s refreshing to see a company ensuring that its employees still have a home. It’s a shame to see that its laptop/tablet efforts are being scaled back, but competition is already fierce in those two markets.  

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Google set to launch Pixel Slate tablet this month as new images leak https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-set-to-launch-pixel-slate-tablet-this-month-as-new-images-leak/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/generaltech/matthew-wilson/google-set-to-launch-pixel-slate-tablet-this-month-as-new-images-leak/#respond Mon, 08 Oct 2018 09:51:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=389866 We’re expecting Google to drop news on its latest Pixel smartphones any day now. Several leaks have taken place over the last couple of months and while much of the focus has been placed on the smartphone lineup, it looks like we’ll be seeing a Pixel tablet this year too. Google is no stranger to …

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We’re expecting Google to drop news on its latest Pixel smartphones any day now. Several leaks have taken place over the last couple of months and while much of the focus has been placed on the smartphone lineup, it looks like we’ll be seeing a Pixel tablet this year too.

Google is no stranger to the tablet market. Back in the Nexus days, HTC and Samsung both produced tablets for Google’s first-party hardware lineup. Google will be jumping back in with the Pixel Slate, featuring a 3:2, stylus support and Chrome OS. The Pixel Slate was leaked by the folks at MySmartPrice, with images being posted:

The Pixel Slate seems to be a competitor to both the iPad and the Microsoft Surface, both of which make good use of detachable keyboards. The Pixel Slate will also have a detachable keyboard accessory, transforming the tablet into a capable work machine.

The keyboard comes with a dedicated button for Google Assistant and can wrap around the whole tablet like a case when not being used.

We don’t have confirms specifications at this time but according to Android Police, we could be looking at a 2400×1600 resolution display and an Intel Kaby Lake processor under the hood. We’ll likely see the Pixel Slate announced later this month as part of Google’s annual October event.

KitGuru Says: Google will be giving the Pixel lineup a complete refresh this year, with two new Pixel 3 smartphones and a new tablet. Are any of you looking forward to the next batch of Google Pixel devices?

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