According to a recently-published report by Computerworld, Google is "officially done" making tablets. This follows in the wake of last year's poorly-received Chrome OS-powered Pixel Slate, and subsequent rumors of downsizing the hardware division responsible. This will not affect the division responsible for the Pixel phones, and Google still apparently has plans for future laptop-style devices.
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At its hardware event in New York today, Google took the wraps off the Pixel Slate, the company's first tablet running Chrome OS. We knew a lot about it already, but now it's official: it's got a 3:2 aspect ratio screen, a fingerprint scanner in the power button, and optional accessories like a detachable keyboard cover and capacitive stylus. It'll be available later this year starting at $599.
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Acer is one of the busiest OEMs when it comes to Chrome OS hardware, although recent efforts have been mixed. The Chromebook Spin 11 didn't offer the best value, but the Chromebox CXI3 impressed as one of the best in its class. Unsurprisingly, Acer was first to announce a tablet running Chrome OS, and now the Chromebook Tab 10 is on sale at several retailers.
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The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) event is going on right now, and that means that lots of education-focused Chromebook-related items are being released. We just posted about STAEDTLER's new Noris stylus for Chromebooks yesterday, and today, Belkin has unveiled two USB-C keyboards intended for use with Chrome OS tablets.
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HP announced a brand-new Chromebook today, the very plainly-named HP Chromebook x2. You wouldn't guess by the branding, but this is the world's first detachable Chrome OS device, and the 12.3" tablet includes the keyboard dock and a stylus in its $599 asking price. Essentially, HP is trying to position this as a more affordable option to an iPad Pro with a keyboard cover and Apple Pencil - though I can't say I'd ever expect creative pros to flock to Chrome OS, even with Android apps on board.
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Android tablets are not and were not ever very good. There. I said it.
From the very first devices that launched without Google's blessing, to the overhyped, underdelivering ones that did, all the way through Google's last-ditch effort to save them, Android tablets never hit their stride.
Sure, there were some bright spots, occasionally. Like the 2013 Nexus 7, which was beloved for its low cost and simplicity. It was the antithesis of the $500 iPad: a frugal hot hatchback to Apple's fully-loaded luxury sedan. But the Nexus 7, and most small, inexpensive tablets, were short-lived in their mainstream popularity as our phones started growing larger and larger.
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Chrome OS and Android have progressively grown together over the past few years, from apps to tighter integrations. Acer is taking things one step further with the first of its kind, the Chromebook Tab 10. A dedicated tablet running Google's desktop OS, Acer is keeping its sights on the education market, much to some of our dismay.
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During his keynote speech at IFA, Eric Schmidt made some interesting comments in regards to Android, tablets, and TVs. Specifically, TV's would be shipping with Google TV software on board (rather than as add-on hardware), and tablets will run Chrome OS rather than Android.
That tablets will primarily run Chrome OS may come as a surprise to some people - after all, nearly every tablet that doesn't run Windows (or iOS) runs Android. Hell, just take a look at this list:
- Dell Streak
- RocketFish tablet
- ICD Tablet
- Flatpad A10
- Folio 100
- Google/HTC tablet
- Galaxy Tab
- Sony tablet
- Archos 101
- Huawei S7
However, Chrome OS can be a solid fit for tablets, with one fairly serious caveat: you need a nearly constant data connection.
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