Google drops out of tablets and won't make another Pixel Slate
Google confirms that there'll be no Pixel sequel, and it reportedly ditches two smaller tablets that it had in the works.
- I've been covering technology and mobile for 12 years, first as a telecommunications reporter and assistant editor at ZDNet in Australia, then as CNET's West Coast head of breaking news, and now in the Thought Leadership team.
The Google Pixel Slate won't be getting a younger sibling.
Google is abandoning its tablet-making efforts, confirming that no sequel to the Pixel Slate is coming. The tech giant will instead focus on making laptops, it said Thursday.
The company announced the Google Pixel Slate in October 2018 and launched it that November, starting at $599. But though it had a nice display and support for a mouse and trackpad, CNET found it to be pricey in comparison to the Chromebook and to tablet competition. It was also heavy and had buggy software.
Google has now stepped away from the tablet form factor despite having two smaller tablets under development, Computerworld reported earlier Thursday. Affected employees have been reassigned from developing tablets to laptops, the report added.
For Google-made hardware, the company is now focusing its roadmap on the Pixelbook family of laptops moving forward, a spokesperson told CNET.
"For Google's first-party hardware efforts, we'll be focusing on Chrome OS laptops and will continue to support Pixel Slate," the Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
"Chrome OS has grown in popularity across a broad range of form factors and we'll continue to work with our ecosystem of partners on laptops and tablets."
Rick Osterloh, Google SVP of devices and services, also confirmed the move.
"Hey, it's true...Google's HARDWARE team will be solely focused on building laptops moving forward," he tweeted Thursday. "But make no mistake, Android & Chrome OS teams are 100% committed for the long-run on working with our partners on tablets for all segments of the market (consumer, enterprise, edu)."
Originally published June 20, 12:35 p.m. PT.
Update, 12:51 p.m. PT: Adds comment from Google's Rick Osterloh.
Updated at 4:15 p.m. PT: originally published under the headline "Google won't be making another Pixel Slate"
