All the rumors and everything we want to see

When the Google Pixel tablet debuted, I was really excited. A media consumption tablet that doubles as a Nest Hub?Sign me up

Unfortunately, reality is not quite what was promised. While this is a good initial effort, there is plenty of room for improvement. Of course, we may still have a long way to go before the next Pixel tablet arrives, but it’s still fun to speculate.

Will there be a Pixel Tablet 2?

Google launched the Pixel tablet at I/O 2023 in May last year. However, ahead of its launch, there were many leaks, rumors, and even official confirmations. As far as the Pixel Tablet 2 is concerned, things have been pretty quiet.

That said, the new codename discovered in the first beta of Android 14 QPR3 appears to be a placeholder for the Pixel Tablet 2. These citrus-themed names (Kiyomi is a Japanese hybrid citrus fruit) match the codename of the original Pixel tablet, which had the nickname “Tangor” during development. This leads us to believe that Google may indeed be working on the next generation of Pixel tablets. However, this is all just speculation at the moment, with no concrete evidence proving the tablet’s existence.

Will Google tell us more about the Pixel Tablet 2 at I/O 2024? The company teased the first-generation Pixel tablet for a full year before launching it, so it’s possible it has similar plans for the next one.

Pixel Tablet 2 wish list: What we’d like to see

If Google wants to take this idea to the next level, here’s what we’d like to see from the Pixel Tablet 2.

Pixel tablets have the potential to replace the Nest Hub series, but not in their current form. I hope to see these issues addressed in the future.

Some features currently missing include support for ongoing conversations, the ability to manually adjust the sensitivity of the “Hey Google” command, and motion gesture support. I love the ability to pause music by simply waving my Google Nest Hub Max, but current Pixel tablets don’t have the technology needed to do this.

While the Pixel tablet’s Hub mode can replicate some of the Nest Hub’s dashboard features, it’s far from providing the same intuitive experience. For now, it feels more like a polished screensaver. In order to truly create a device that can replace the Nest Hub, Google needs to more closely mirror the Nest Hub experience.

Additionally, I’d like to see the Nest Cam functionality return to the Nest Hub Max. While these may not be as powerful as dedicated security cameras, they are still a valuable feature.

Google Pixel tablets operate similarly to Android phones, which means Assistant functionality may be somewhat limited if you’re not fully signed in. For security reasons, some commands may prompt you to unlock your phone. While this is understandable from a security perspective, it may defeat the purpose of tablet docking to an extent.

To fix this, Google should better differentiate its docking capabilities from tablet mode, offering a full experience that works like any smart speaker or smart hub when docked, with the option to log into full tablet mode to access more advanced features.

One way to achieve this might be to equip the smart speaker with its own processing and give it the same Fuchsia-based functionality as the Nest Hub when docked. This brings us to our next suggestion.

When purchased separately, the Pixel tablet charging dock costs $130, which is $30 more expensive than the Nest Audio. You might think that means it’s just as capable or even more powerful. No. The charging dock has one purpose: to connect to your tablet and provide a better speaker experience than using it directly on the tablet.

I feel like this is a huge missed opportunity. The charging base should be a real Nest Audio device, with its own SoC. First, it will likely handle Fuschia OS and give us a true Nest Hub experience, whereas the Pixel tablet feels more like a display when docked than an actual Android device.

Another big reason why the dock needs more functionality is because if someone uses the Pixel tablet, it becomes a paperweight. For a one-person household this may not be as important, but for a family it makes a big difference.

If your significant other is using the tablet and you need to ask the Dock for some information, it might provide the full Nest Audio experience. It also lets you easily cast songs from your Pixel tablet to the dock via Bluetooth, even if it’s not directly connected.

The Pixel tablet’s sound quality is pretty good for a tablet, but I’d like to hear more from the dock. Currently, there are 43.5mm drivers, which are the same size as the smaller Nest Hub. That’s significantly smaller than the 75mm drivers in the Nest Audio and Nest Hub Max. Both devices also feature dedicated tweeters, something the Dock lacks. While the sound quality isn’t terrible, for a $500 device you’d expect it to be more similar to Google’s high-end audio products.

I wouldn’t blame Google for going with an LCD display, as that’s probably better suited for a device designed to stay active and usable while docked. After all, AMOLED is somewhat prone to screen burn-in and other issues. Still, 60Hz is pretty inexcusable for a $500 tablet. At least I’d like to see 90Hz here, although 120Hz would be better.

While the docking station is a big selling point for Pixel tablets, what if you’re just a Pixel fan looking for a bigger screen experience and aren’t necessarily keen on the smart home hub concept? For this reason, I’d love to see Google offer the Pixel Tablet 2 as a standalone purchase. In fact, I’d like to see the next-gen Dock promoted as a standalone device as well – turning it into a next-gen Nest Audio that also doubles as a magnetic stand for Pixel Tablet 2 owners.

• Google Pixel tablet— June 20, 2023

While I certainly hope to see a Google Pixel Tablet 2 in the future, nothing is set in stone. Pixel tablets have received mixed reviews, and Google has a history of being unpredictable when launching new products that don’t immediately produce the expected results. People certainly think of Google Stadia, but Google’s graveyard is littered with products that never quite worked out how many hoped they would. Some of these are truly great ideas; others are more questionable.

For now, I’m still holding out hope for a Pixel Tablet 2, especially considering that Google has put a lot of resources into optimizing its Android operating system for larger screens and foldable devices. They’re also working on incorporating some of Nest’s features into its hub mode, while other code changes have been made that suggest those features aren’t yet complete.

Even if we do see it, it won’t be until the summer of 2024 at the earliest.

Considering the Pixel Tablet 2 is at least a year away, there’s no reason to wait. The more important question is whether you should choose a Google Pixel tablet or explore other options. If you’re looking for a great high-end tablet experience or a powerful Google Assistant-powered hub, we sincerely recommend looking elsewhere.

Still, if you’re looking for a tablet that’s best for watching movies, YouTube, or posting social content while lounging around the house, the Google Pixel tablet could be the perfect choice. Just don’t expect it to be a gaming or productivity powerhouse. It’s also a powerful enough hub, just not to the same degree as Google’s dedicated smart displays.