Pixel Tablet may be a midrange Nexus 7 successor.
Since Google I/O this year, interest for the Pixel Tablet and Pixel 7 series has grown. The former has whispers of a stylus and 64-bit app support. One developer spotted details in Google’s AOSP code suggesting the tablet could use a first-generation Tensor SoC. This might be disappointing or thrilling, depending on your expectations, but nothing is guaranteed until Google comments.
The much-anticipated Pixel tablet won’t have GPS or cellular connectivity, but it could have a Google Tensor chip called gs101. Wojciechowski released AOSP code snippets on Twitter (via XDA Developers). The Tensor chip is referred to as Tangor and Citron. Internal Google nomenclature for the Pixel tablet.
What is known (unofficially), is that the tablet will double as a Nest Hub. It was first reported by 9to5Google ( https://t.co/0sMlGqLvRO) and the code Google has added in their proprietary code over Android seems to also confirm the story.
— Kuba Wojciechowski⚡ (@Za_Raczke) September 1, 2022
A solitary tablet without LTE and GPS may not be usable outside, but its Tensor chip could serve for Wi-Fi use. Wojciechowski believes Google will pitch the tablet as a standalone or detachable Nest Hub.
The developer notes the lack of high-fidelity sensor data processing, a barometer sensor, and a proximity sensor. Google’s Pixel tablet teaser images remind us of its smart home devices. These clues suggest that Google’s Pixel tab is a detachable smart home hub with more computing power than it needs, unless Google enables light gaming.
Specifications
The tablet has 4GB RAM, which is low compared to the $449 Google Pixel 6a’s 6GB. Both the front and back sensors appear to be the Pixel 6’s IMX355 hardware.
Most intriguingly, the Tablet lacks GPS and cellular data. It’s likely Wi-Fi-only and meant for home use. The code reveals the lack of proximity and barometer sensors and ‘high-fidelity’ sensor processing, argues Wojciechowski.
The Pixel Tablet may be meant for occasional portability, despite being handed. Wojciechowski discovers evidence that an upcoming Google tablet will be a detachable Nest Hub.
“Google’s private Android code seems to confirm the story,” he says. “Google’s hardware team seems to have fully embraced the notion”
Like the Tensor-powered Pixel phones, it seems Google hopes to avoid a direct clash with the best tablet market’s top end and instead compete in the intermediate with some logical though unorthodox design decisions.
It’s like recreating the Nexus spirit: well-designed devices with ‘good enough’ specs and an attractive pricing. This method could prove brilliant as the cost-of-living issue bites.