The idea of an official Google Tablet has always been on the table for years. To be fair, the idea of a Google Tablet did not exist in the early days of Android, not until Apple introduced their iPad to the world. There was not too much sense for an Android tablet made by Google though. Like the iPad in its early days, it will be nothing more than a glorified Android that is blown up to fit the size of a tablet, which is what Google did not want.
That has not stopped Google from introducing an entire interface dedicated to tablet devices at one point. When it did not make sense at the time, they integrated the entire Android ecosystem again and allowed tablets to take advantage of Android’s versatility and built-in functions that were specific to tablet type devices. Now that Google has sort of perfected that, they now see sense in introducing the highly anticipated Google Pixel Tablet, the new benchmark in Android tablets.
Source: google
There was nothing technically new with the Google Pixel Tablet, nor is it that innovative. Inside, you find a Google Tensor G2 powerhouse like the one you find on the Google Pixel 7a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. Of course, it also packs a Titan M2 processor to keep the device encrypted and secure. The integrated powerhouse comes with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM for speedy and smooth multitasking. You can choose between 128GB or 256GB for your storage options.
Out the front is an expansive 10.9-inch LCD display that offers 2,560 by 1,600 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio. You can get up to 500 nits in brightness, which might not sound all that bright, but it is not designed for outdoor use mostly. The display also supports USI 2.0 stylus pens like its ChromeOS cousins, allowing the tablet to be used with USI certified stylus pens. Since they made the tablet mostly for entertainment, the LCD panel offers up to 24-bit in colour depth.
Of course, it is not just made for play, but for work too. You get an 8-Megapixel sensor that shoots out of the back with 1080p recording. No 4K recording here, you do not need 4K video capabilities on a tablet at most times. The front-facing camera is also a similar 8-Megapixel shooter with 1080p video recording and calling capabilities. That also means that you get very similar video calling performance out of both cameras, which is a good thing.
Source: Google
Source: google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: GooSource: Googlegle
Source: Google
On its own, the device packs four speakers for the most immersive sounds for your movies and even your music. Out-of-the-box though is a speaker dock that you can dock your Pixel Tablet to for even bigger sounds. It is not quite a wireless speaker though; it connects to the Pixel Tablet via pogo pins. When connected, the tablet’s 27Wh battery is also charged via the Pogo Pins. When docked also, the tablet suddenly becomes your Google Home hub, no need for a Google Nest system anymore. Of course, to liven up your living space, you can even use it as a live photo frame with your Gallery app .
Price and Availability
The Google Pixel Tablet is now available for pre-order in the United States (U.S.) and select regions and will see shelves by 20th of June 2023. It will come in three colour options – Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose and will be priced at US$ 499 (MYR 2,226*) onward. Unfortunately, the device will not make it into Malaysia at any official capacity. More on the Google Pixel Tablet can be found on their website. *Approximately based on the exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.46 as of 11/05/2023 on xe.com
Google I/O 2023 has been announced and it is happening on the 10th of May 2023. Among other things, we expect to see a new Android being announced. We expect to see the new Google Pixel 7 series for 2023 with their second-generation Tensor, the Google Tensor G2 integrated chip. We could see a new Android Wear update, or a new Google smartwatch being announced in I/O. These are all speculations and expectations though. There is one thing that Google have just confirmed as of yesterday that you will see at Google I/O 2023, the Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Fold announcement is more like a teaser than anything else. They announced on their Twitter and Pixel store that the Pixel Fold is coming with a teaser video. The 8-second video does not tell us much more than what we the rumour mills have said about the Pixel Fold though. It shows the exterior display, internal display with some bezel space to fit a front facing camera, the rear camera with Google logo to boot below it, the hinge plate, and the unfolding of the device. There are no details whatsoever in the teaser video on its specifications, hinge mechanism, or the version of Android it comes with. The teaser also only showed a single colour option for the Google Pixel Fold. Expect a black colour variant though, always expect black colour as an option.
It is not hard to figure out what you might get with the highly anticipated foldable device though. Based on many rumours, reports, and educated guesses, we can expect the Google Pixel Fold to come with their very own Tensor G2 chip rather than a Qualcomm one. It is also reported that the external display will measure at 5.8 inches while the internal main display will measure at 7.6 inches. The displays are supposed to support up to 120Hz in refresh rate.
As for the camera, rumours and reports point to a 48-Megapixel main camera supported by a 10.8-Megapixel ultrawide shooter, and 10-8-Megapixel telephoto camera with up to 5x optical zoom and 20x hybrid zoom. The rumours also point to a larger and more durable battery to its main rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. They say that this will have a battery that can go on for up to 72 hours on a single charge, which is quite a bold claim considering battery technology has stagnated for a while.
As for the price, rumours suggest that the Google Pixel Fold will be sold at US$ 1,700 (MYR 7,544*) onward andu p to nearly US$ 2,000 (MYR 8,876*). While the prices are not too far off Samsung’s offering, they are still rather premium. Like the Google Pixel devices though, Malaysia will most likely not see the device in an official capacity at least. You can expect our good neighbour Singapore to get it sometime after the device goes on sale in the United States (U.S.) though. In that case, you might be able to secure your hands on one from Singapore if you really want one. More on Google’s Pixel Fold and Google I/O 2023 can be found on their website.
*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.44 as of 05/05/2023 on xe.com
Each year, there are a few events we all look forward to. For Samsung, we are always excited for their two Unpacked events. For Apple, they have their WWDC and annual iPhone launch events. For Google, we are always excited for their I/O event. This year, as expected, it is happening.
The last Google I/O 2022 saw Google announce their latest Tensor 2 integrated mobile processing chip. It also saw their latest Google Pixel smartphone revealed to the world. To the disappointment of many, The Google Pixel did not come with a foldable or flip form that was highly anticipated and rumoured.
For 2023, the date to be saved is 10th of May 2023. Google’s current CEO has tweeted the event date and even posted a link that directs users to the mini page complete with a countdown clock. The website also says that the conference is open to all who wish to attend or watch online. There will be a “limited live audience” present though, according to Google.
As usual, we expect to see the next iteration of Android, Android 14 now to be announced at the event. Android 14 is now available too for developers, so if you want to be the first to know what is going to come, you can sign up as one and preview the build yourself. Alongside Android 14, we expect to see Google announcing new hardware, a new Pixel device perhaps, a new Wear OS device, and maybe a TV box. If we are lucky, maybe they will launch a new Chromebook at the event. There are a few rumours going around that we can expect to see Google’s foldable Pixel devices announced in this year’s Google I/O event. There are also rumours about a tablet device from Google that is to be announced in the upcoming event.
All these are just speculations for the time being though. The event is not happening in another two months, which means there is still plenty of unknown. What we know though is that there will also be various developer sessions and discussions after the keynote event headed by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.
The Google Pixel series has always been a much-loved series of devices. Google’s decision to move out of the flagship hardware space and into the mid-range segment was met with a lot of glee. Not because it was a funny decision, it was a decision that gave a lot of people access to what Google deems as the standard for their smartphones.
In the four iteration of the Google Pixel smartphone range, Google has always been relying on Qualcomm to supply their processing chips. While Google may not be able to complain much in terms of power, there are a few things that even today’s most powerful System on a Chip cannot solve. Google understands that and wants to solve that with their Pixel series. It starts with the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro with what Google calls the Google Tensor System on a Chip (SoC).
We will talk about the Google Tensor chip as more information on it becomes more available, we promise. For now, we do want to focus more on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices. They are what you are here for, correct?
Still, if you must ask, Google Tensor is something that Google had been working on for a few years. It is nothing like the Qualcomm Snapdragons or Samsung Exynos chips that we have seen in other smartphones. It is specifically made for Google, with Google’s input, in solving real world problems that Google sees fit – linguistic programming.
Android 12
Source: Google
Of course, we have to start with Google’s latest and greatest in terms of operating system. We are not going to elaborate too much on Android 12 though because we have covered it before, and you can read all about it here. Google’s Android 12 is very much built for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, and you can tell. Material You on the Pixel 6 devices are meant to look natural and has even more functions than your average Android 12 devices. For security, the Pixel 6 series will pack Google’s own developed Titan M2 chip for best-in-class hardware level security. That also allows google to support the device for up to five years.
New Bigger, Better Camera
Source: Google
One of the biggest improvements on the Google Pixel though is in its camera. Where others have been struggling to find new ways to innovate, Google found a different path. Instead of piling on more Megapixel and more hardware power on the issue of photography, Google uses their know how of machine learning and artificial intelligence to solve the complex problems that comes with photography.
That said, it is not like Google did not improve the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro sensors. They now get a 50-Megapixel sensor that measures in at 1/1.3-inch. Its larger size also means that it can absorb 150% more light than before. Certain things just cannot be solved with software alone, and this is one of them; it simply is just a physics problem. More light also means that the photos you get comes with more detail and better colours.
Where the Pixel 6 stops at a 12-Megapixel Ultrawide camera, the Pixel 6 Pro comes with an additional 48-Megapixel telephoto camera. Both devices shoot videos at 4K 60fps of course. The Pixel 6 Pro sports an 11.1-Megapixel front camera that is also capable of shooting videos at 4K 30fps though.
Again, Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s camera improvements are more than just a hardware update. Thanks to Tensor, the camera on the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro is in a class of its own. One of the updates comes in the form of an improved Super Res Zoom that allows you to get up to a 20x zoom photo with little loss to detail, even if it is captured by using a 4x zoom lens.
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Then there is Magic Eraser. It is exactly what it sounds like, an eraser for your photos, and it is magic. You no longer need to go to a single site, take a lot of photos, load those photos on to Adobe Photoshop and combine them to create a photo with no human subjects, or to erase a certain object in the photo. Instead, you simply take a photo with your Google Pixel, tap on the subjects you do not want in your photo, and voila. The only other device that is known to do that is HUAWEI’s Mate 40 series. This is possible though, thanks to Tensor.
There is also a Motion Mode for more artistic Action Pan and Long Exposure photos, but without the hassle, hardware, or even skill. You simply take a photo of your subject, be it a fast-moving car, bicycle, or even your friend against a busy street or train station. The camera app cleverly understands your environment and subject, and then creates a stylish blurred background to simulate motion which adds an artistic flair to your photos, all without needing any extra gear or time.
The most important improvement in the Google Pixel camera though is in its Real Tone. The improvement in the colour science in smartphones comes a long way. That also means that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can reproduce much better and more accurate skin tones, especially with coloured skins. Thanks to Machine Learning as well, the improvements of recognising various skin tones also spreads to Google Photos.
Language Barrier? Not a Problem
Source: Google
Of course, Google has not forgotten that the smartphone is mainly a communication tool. The smartphone started its life as a regular mobile phone device that is used to make calls remotely and untethered. It was a revolutionary tool that brough people closer together, without being physically close. The next step is to bridge the gap between people of different cultures and languages.
The Google Pixel 6 series’s Live Translate now encompasses everything within the smartphone. It now allows you to text in different languages without even knowing the language. For example, you could type your message on your chat apps like WhatsApp in English and have it translated to Japanese, or Italian, or French, or even German. You do not even need to jump between Google Translate app and your messaging app just to figure out the right word. All of this is done on-site too, so you are not even relying on your network data, nothing leaves your device in all these processing.
In situations where conversing with someone is key and is of the essence, the Pixel 6 series is really your best friend. The device has something called an interpreter mode and you just need to activate Google’s Assistant and say, “Be my interpreter”. It allows you to converse in up to 48 languages without knowing the language. The next time you travel, you know what to do.
Its speech recognition goes beyond that though. The Google Pixel 6 device now understands that when you say ‘send’, or ‘clear’, or ‘accept’, or ‘decline’, you are referring to commands rather than words. In that sense, you do not have to say, “Hey Google,” whenever you want to pick up your smartphone. Your message does not have to say, “Hey, shall we arrange for a night out? Clear,” or “Are you coming home for dinner? Send”. You can even ‘stop’ and ‘snooze’ your alarms without even touching your device.
Annoying Answering Machine? Not a Problem Too, just Direct My Call
Source: Google
Google’s transcribing algorithm is also now implemented throughout the Pixel 6 device. They call it Direct My Call and that allows you to make calls to businesses and not feel the pain of interacting with the answering machine the regular way. Instead, Google Assistant now transcribes your call and displays your options in real-time on your screen for you to see. You can even select your next steps on your screen instead of pressing a number on your keypad.
Nothing is more annoying than having to wait endlessly for your call to get through when you need to speak to a representative though. That is when Wait Times and Direct My Call cleverly tells you the expected waiting time for when you make calls at each hour. Wait Times also allows you to see that particular data for the rest of the week, just so that you can plan your time better when you need to make the calls to the business line. The only downside is that all these technologies is only available in the United States (U.S.) and in English for now.
Prices and Availability
The new Google Pixel 6 series starts its pre-orders today in the U.S. and wills start at US$ 599 (MYR 2,490*). The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$ 899 (MYR 3,737*) but it will come with an extra camera sensor, a larger display, bigger RAM, and more storage. Google is expecting the first devices to hit the shelves in the U.S. on the 28th of October 2021.
You can also get the Google Pixel 6 with Pixel Pass. For US$ 45 (MYR 187*) a month, you get a Google Pixel 6 and subscriptions to Google One, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium, and Google Play Pass and Preferred Care. The Pixel 6 Pro will set you back US$55 (MYR 229*) a month. Again, there are no confirmation on whether the Google Pixel 6 series will ever make it to Malaysia. We are hopeful though, but not entirely optimistic about its official Malaysian presence.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.16 on xe.com as of 20/10/2021
After endless leaks and rumours surrounding Google’s upcoming device, Google final confirmed that the device actually exists. The Google Pixel 6 series is now official with Google’s official Twitter account revealing a bunch of details and photos on the device. For the first time ever, the flagship will not have an XL variant. Instead, Google is going for the most conventional flagship naming of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.
While Google has released a bunch of details on the device, there are still plenty of unknowns about the device at this time. For one, while Google revealed that there will be 3 cameras at the back of the new flagship, there are no mentions on their megapixel count. They revealed how the new devices would look too, including the available colour schemes that we would have to say looks great, at the same time revealing that there will be a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom on the Pro variant.
The Pixel 6 series also marks Google’s entry into the silicon manufacturing industry with their Google Tensor chip that is going to power the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices. Of course, it is going to be a Material You Android 12 device that is completely vanilla. Other than being completely optimised for Material You, the Tensor System on a Chip (SoC) is also supposed to come with new security core and Titan M2 to make the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro one of the most secure Android smartphones you can find in the current market. As per Google as well, the Tensor chip is also supposed to improve Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities in Pixel devices. Alongside an improved computational photography model, the AI and ML should tremendously improve the camera experience.
Of course, the new Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro comes in large and larger screen sizes at 6.4-inch and 6.7-inch respectively. There are no mentions on what sort of display it will come with, but we suspect it could be OLED as per previous Pixel device. We are also expecting the displays to feature 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rates respectively.
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
Source: Google
There are no mentions as well on when Google will be releasing the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro into the market just yet. If rumours are right, you can expect to see devices landing in the hands of users toward the end of September or early October 2021. Holding pages for the Google Pixel 6 series are already live in eight regions: USA, Canada, Australioa, UK, France, Japan, and Taiwan. Malaysia does not officially have Google Store anyway, which also means the only way for you to own a Google Pixel is to source it from third party vendors at this time, and the same is expected for the Google Pixel 6. Curiously Singapore’s Google Store does not list the Google Pixel 6 series yet, leading us to believe that Singapore may not be in that first region circle for the Google Pixel 6. They will eventually get it later on though as the device is made available in other regions. More information about Google’s Pixel 6 series can be found on Google’s own Blog, or their official Twitter page.
