All signs point to Google releasing not one, but two Android tablets in 2023. The question is, why is Google making a Pixel Tablet Pro at all?
Expand Expanding CloseWhy is Google making a Pixel Tablet Pro?
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Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
Nothing Phone (1) among the first non-Pixels with Google’s Personal Safety app, no crash detection
As part of its beta update to Android 13, the Nothing Phone (1) is one of the first non-Pixel Android devices with Google’s suite of Personal Safety tools.
Expand Expanding CloseDecember Google Play System Updates: Digital driver’s license beta, Find My Device expansion [U]
Google’s December Play System Updates ready a beta test for keeping a digital driver’s license in your Android phone’s Wallet app while also preparing for next year’s Pixel Tablet.
Update 2: Google is readying the launch of an expanded “Find My Device” feature for Android, along with expanded support for digital car keys.
Expand Expanding CloseEnabled: Android 13 QPR2 preps desktop mode, new Back gesture, separate ringtone volume, and more
The beta version of the second quarterly Android 13 update includes work toward desktop mode, a new Back gesture animation, separate ringtone and notification volume controls, and much more.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta 1: Pixel Launcher tweaks padding and density
In the latest pre-release update to Android 13 on Pixel phones, Google has tweaked the padding and density of the Pixel Launcher.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Doodle honors Mária Telkes, ‘The Sun Queen’ of solar energy
Google has replaced its homepage logo with an animated Doodle in honor of prolific solar energy scientist Mária Telkes, nicknamed “The Sun Queen.”
Expand Expanding CloseReview: Acer Chromebook 516 GE brings out the best of cloud gaming
One of the first “gaming” ChromeOS devices, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is the definitive device for cloud gaming, even if that’s an oxymoron.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Camera 8.7 is rolling out now for older Pixel phones
Months after debuting on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, version 8.7 of the Google Camera app is rolling out now to older Pixel phones.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Arts & Culture Android widget celebrates the birthdays of famous artists [Gallery]
Google Arts & Culture is the latest Android app to introduce a homescreen widget. This one celebrates the birthdays of famous artists by showcasing their artwork.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle preparing to upgrade Nest Audio as Fuchsia’s first smart speaker
Google is working on upgrading its Nest Audio smart speaker to run on the company’s own Fuchsia operating system.
Expand Expanding CloseSearching for Stadia: Shadow is an entirely different path to cloud gaming, for better or worse
One of the earliest cloud gaming providers, Shadow, is in some ways the antithesis of Stadia, but it’s sometimes better for it.
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Google Discover bug causes empty feed in Pixel Launcher
In the most recent beta version of the Google Search app, a bug is causing the Discover feed in the Pixel Launcher to be empty.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos for Android testing ‘Search’ option that enhances Lens, emphasizes faces
The Google Photos app for Android is testing a new “Search” button when viewing photos, adding personal context and face recognition to Google Lens.
Expand Expanding CloseMajor Android security leak left Samsung and other devices vulnerable to dangerous malware apps
A major security leak has led to the creation of “trusted” malware apps that can gain access to the entire Android operating system on devices from Samsung, LG, and others.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store readies download progress bubble and app archiving [Gallery]
Here’s an early look at new features coming to the Play Store including the ability to archive unused Android apps to save space and includes preparations for a floating bubble for download progress.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Photos gains holiday card-ready collages as Gboard Emoji Kitchen freezes over
Now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season, Google Photos is launching an easy way to create delightful holiday card collages, while Gboard’s Emoji Kitchen is gaining a flurry of wintry combinations.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle honors Gerald ‘Jerry’ Lawson, inventor of the video game cartridge
Google has chosen to honor the memory of Gerald “Jerry” Lawson, the lead inventor responsible for video game cartridges, with a collection of minigames on its homepage.
Expand Expanding CloseChromeOS set to make it easier to share GIFs with friends
Google’s ChromeOS team is working on a way to quickly and easily share GIFs when chatting with friends from your Chromebook.
Expand Expanding CloseCheck out the ChromeOS Material You redesign with new quick settings and more [Gallery]
After nearly a year in development, Google’s Material You redesign of ChromeOS is finally taking shape, bringing dynamic colors, a quick settings revamp, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle has updated the original Chromecast for the first time in over three years
In a new batch of Chromecast updates, Google has released new firmware for the first-generation Chromecast for the first time in years.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung November 2022 update rolling out for these Galaxy devices
Samsung is continuing its streak of offering consistently timely updates for its full line of Android smartphones. Many Galaxy phones and tablets have already begun receiving Samsung’s November 2022 security update, including, for some, Android 13 and One UI 5.0.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are some of the best gifts for the Android audio enthusiast
Here are some of the best gifts you can buy for the music lovers and audio enthusiasts in your life who prefer Android devices.
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Google Doodle honors Myrtle Gonzalez, prolific Mexican American silent film actress
Google has devoted their homepage to honor Myrtle Gonzalez, a Mexican American actress who starred in dozens of pictures in the silent film era.
Expand Expanding CloseChromeOS isn’t ready for 120Hz Chromebooks even though cloud gaming is
After using a Chromebook with a 120Hz display, I’m impressed with the things that work well, but ChromeOS still has some catching up to do.
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