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Google’s new Pixel tablet on its default home screen.
CNBC
I’ve been out of my usual wheelhouse and working out on Google’s new Pixel Tablet for the past few days. It’s in stores now, and Starting at $499 For the base model, 128 GB. You can also get the 599,256GB model, and at just $100, I think it’s worth double your storage, depending on your use case.
It’s been years since Google introduced a new tablet, and beyond the included charging dock and accompanying Hub Mode, the company hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel. You won’t find professional-grade accessories like you do on the iPad: there’s no stylus, no keyboard, and aside from a matching case with a kickstand, not much in the way of Google-designed accessories.
But in my few days of testing, it seems like this might be on purpose. And there really is one type of consumer that Google had in mind for this product, and if that’s you, this tablet might be worth the price.
what is good
Hub Mode, Hub Mode, Hub Mode. If you’re a consumer already immersed in Google’s ecosystem and interested in a Google Home-compatible suite of smart home devices, the Pixel Tablet could become your best friend.
The Pixel Tablet’s best feature is Hub Mode, which turns the device into a landing page for your life when you tap it on the dock.
CNBC
Here’s how it works: When you dock your Pixel tablet with the included charging speaker dock, the tablet visually responds and turns its lock screen into a customizable one.
It’s the kind of feature that works well if you already have Google Home devices. From the lock screen, you can view the cameras, adjust the lighting, and adjust the curtains, if you’re one of the lucky ones with smart window treatments. If someone rings your Nest or Ring doorbell, they’ll show you who’s at the door, too.
It can work well in the kitchen or family room—somewhere with a lot of people commuting to and from the house—and it can feed alerts about package deliveries, running timers, or even when an Uber or Lyft is on your way.
I chose the dynamic onscreen clock from Google in the Prime theme. Watch faces are beautiful and manage to be visually appealing without being an undue distraction.
Unfortunately, all of my smart home devices are set up to work with Apple HomeKit, which made it hard to know how they fit into my ecosystem. But the functionality Hub Mode can provide makes it a step up from relying solely on the Nest Hub, because it’s portable.
Your Pixel tablet is docked.
CNBC
You can purchase charging docks individually and install them around your home, moving your tablet(s) from one location to another as you go about your day. For example, you can find a recipe from the couch, take your Pixel tablet to the kitchen and start cooking.
Hub Mode also allows you to send video from your phone or computer to the Hub.
Multitasking is also a strong thing, though it’s certainly not a computer killer (nor does Google position it as one). It’s perfectly suited for streaming video and weeding through your inbox at the same time, though depending on your tablet angle or optional case with kickstand, your typing experience may vary.
What is bad
New to the Pixel Tablet, the Tensor G2 SoC delivers a snappy experience, but the processor’s power was limited by some aspects of the user interface, such as a temporary delay when you swipe down to access the control panel.
Google’s Pixel tablet in Chrome.
CNBC
While the emoji wallpaper is a great concept and responds to user touch, the lag muted the experience a bit.
This is a tablet that requires you to get used to its flaws: having the precise angle of motion to go to the home screen rather than switch to another app, for example. However, some of those weaknesses are likely due to my inexperience with Android.
This is not a tablet for a power user either. It will help you do what you need to do in terms of basic productivity, but don’t expect to be writing a novel or review on your tablet. It’s a similar story for the dual 8MP cameras. My colleague and I felt that the 7-megapixel front-facing camera on the old iPad Pro was superior to the front-facing camera on the Pixel, which looked a little dull and unusually sharp in comparison.
Should you buy it?
Go for the Pixel Tablet if you think there’s room in your home and routine for a portable smart hub. Hub mode is where this device shines, and even little things like air quality on the lock screen and improved speaker quality made my morning routine noticeably better. At $499 for the 128GB model, it has more than enough storage and is reasonably priced, especially if you’re already integrated into the Google ecosystem.
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