Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
When the rumors started mounting about Google’s return to the pill market, I used to be past excited. I instantly thought again to the glory days of the Nexus 7 and hoped that it might spark some innovation. One may argue that Google delivered, because the Pixel Pill doubles as a sensible dwelling hub. Nevertheless, Google simply proved that it does not actually care, and neither must you.Â
As an alternative of ready till I/O 2024, Google determined to announce the brand new Pixel 8a and a value discount (of kinds) for the Pixel Pill. It is not really decreasing the worth, however you’ll be able to lastly simply purchase the pill, saving $100 and opting towards having the Charging Speaker Dock at your disposal. Groundbreaking.
This sort of solves one of many largest gripes that I had with the Pixel Pill with its worth proposition for the $499 price ticket. For essentially the most half, it is only a Pixel 5 that is been stretched to accommodate an 11-inch display screen. Certain, it is nice to have a 2560 x 1600 decision, however Google skimped out by going with an LCD panel.Â
The 16:10 facet ratio is nice for utilizing apps in cut up view and multitasking, however Google nonetheless does not promote a first-party keyboard case or perhaps a stylus. To not point out that the Pixel Pill is not nice for gaming, because the LCD panel is locked to a 60Hz refresh fee.
Admittedly, I do not usually use the Pixel Pill as a pill. It stays docked 99% of the time, solely to be eliminated after I have to replace the software program or the put in apps. I’ve to think about that I am not the one one who opts for this use case and would not be shocked if so for lots of people.Â
Google may have made a smart move, however as a substitute, it determined to stay grasping.
Nevertheless, I am solely being additional satisfied that Google does not have a lot of a way of route with this product. Re-releasing the Pixel Pill sans the Dock or any related first-party equipment roughly a 12 months after the preliminary launch has me questioning what on this planet is occurring. On prime of that, the $399 price ticket continues to be too rattling excessive for what you are getting.
Sure, it is a Pixel Pill operating Google’s model of Android. However because of Google’s personal gate-keeping of options, it is operating into the identical drawback because the Pixel Fold. All of these cool AI options? Yeah, they’ve solely just lately began to turn out to be obtainable on the Pixel Pill. Hell, Circle to Search was introduced in the beginning of 2024 and nonetheless will not be arriving for Pixel Pill homeowners till “later this month.”
I am not going to re-hash all of my emotions on that right here, as I’ve already achieved so a few instances. However that does not negate the purpose that Google is misplaced, because it’s fairly apparent that it is stretching itself in too many instructions.
It is all about AI and the place Google can throw Gemini whereas blaming the {hardware} for these options not being obtainable on a Google-released system. “Oh, it will get there….finally.” Nicely, not less than when Samsung or Apple says a brand new function is coming, more often than not, these corporations observe by.
This revelation about re-releasing the Pixel Pill with out the dock ought to’ve occurred already. Certainly not am I an analyst, however I’ve to imagine that the dockless Pixel Pill would’ve been a hot-ticket merchandise over the 2023 holidays. However as a substitute, Google opted to throw it in as an afterthought when asserting a brand-new product.
I most likely would not really feel the best way I do if Google both held off on this tomfoolery till the G3 (or G4) Pixel Pill was prepared or lowered the worth to round $299. To place this into perspective, check out what Amazon did with the Hearth Max 11 pill. For about $285, you will get the Hearth Max 11, bundled with the Amazon Stylus Pen and the Keyboard Case. Oh, and that is with paying further for the “With out Lockscreen Advertisements” model.Â
With the Pixel Pill, you will pay $399 and get a charging cable, together with some regulatory paperwork. To not point out that regardless of being rumored since final 12 months, there are no new first-party equipment. It is past irritating to see these choices being made, particularly when it is so apparent that they are carrying blinders and might’t see the forest for the timber.
I’ve nearly misplaced hope in Google’s product technique, and perhaps I ought to simply give it up. It is obvious that Google has, and I will not be shocked if the Pixel Pill 2 by no means sees the sunshine of day.Â
