The 5 issues the Pixel Pill 2 must be an iPad comp...

Google’s efforts to make a pill that sticks have been scattershot at finest, from the tablet-as-giant-phone that was the Nexus 7 to bizarre ChromeOS experiments just like the Pixel Slate. That is why, amongst different issues, the Pixel Pill the corporate launched in 2023 felt like an essential correction — it had a objective as quickly as you took it out of the field.

By basically making it a Nest Hub Max when it is docked and a conventional Android pill when it wasn’t, the Pixel Pill was tied to the good residence somewhat than productiveness, one thing that ended up working so much higher for Google. Regardless of the variety of individuals with Android units, the quantity of excellent Android pill apps nonetheless pales in comparison with what’s supplied on the iPad. Giving the Pixel Pill a part-time job as a wise residence controller makes that subject much less urgent. However that job hasn’t precisely been demanding, both. With a brand new Nest Thermostat, the one main good residence product because the Pixel Pill was launched, it feels just like the Pixel Pill 2 will want extra to be well worth the improve. This is what I feel Google ought to add to the sequel.

1 First-party stylus help

Google wants to supply its personal stylus and stylus options

Apple

The Pixel Pill is for fingers before everything, however it does supply help for USI 2.0 stylus enter for those who personal one. There are many Android units that already supply stylus equipment, significantly from Google’s largest companion, Samsung, however for no matter purpose, Google prevented that for the primary model of its pill. The corporate has even made a stylus earlier than — the Pixelbook might be used with the Pixelbook Pen to jot down or draw on the convertible laptop computer’s display screen. Google additionally supported the identical stylus with the Pixel Slate.

For the Pixel Pill 2, Google ought to let that enormous display screen be used for one thing aside from watching movies, searching the net, or controlling gentle bulbs. Add help for a stylus designed by Google, and combine a stylus-oriented characteristic like Apple’s Scribble — iOS’ characteristic for accepting handwriting in any textual content field — with the intention to use a stylus as simply as you utilize your finger. If the Pixel Pill turns into extra helpful outdoors the house, it ought to in all probability be a spot the place you’ll be able to write and create issues simply as a lot because it already is a spot to devour issues.

Associated

Take notes or become an artist with the best stylus pens for Google’s Pixel Tablet

Want a stylus to your Pixel Pill? Listed below are your finest choices.

2 A desktop-approach to multitasking

Carry on the windowed apps

Google / Pocket-lint

Android has had split-screen multitasking for longer than the iPad, however for those who wished to do one thing extra difficult than put two apps side-by-side, you needed to go for customized software program from Samsung, like Samsung Dex, to maintain a number of apps in view such as you may on a desktop working system. Google ought to use the Pixel Pill 2 as the right alternative to introduce correct desktop multitasking and windowed apps to Android tablets.

Fortunately, as of Sept. 2024, Google has already began testing “desktop windowing” in Android 15. Now it simply must make it obtainable for the Pixel Pill. Whether or not the brand new characteristic arrives earlier than the top of 2024 or ships on a Pixel Pill 2 in 2025, Android is greater than prepared for it. Moreover making the expertise of utilizing a Pixel Pill really feel extra computer-like, it may also go a good distance in fixing the issue of Android apps that are not correctly optimized for the Pixel Pill’s 10.95-inch show. With windowed multitasking, they might run of their pure smartphone kind with out stretching throughout the display screen.

Associated

2 easy ways to multitask like a pro on an iPad

Cut up Display and Slide Over modes make it simple to make use of a number of apps in your iPad. This is how.

3 A stand that is helpful alone

The Charging Speaker Dock ought to change into a Nest Audio

Google Charging Speaker Dock

When the Pixel Pill launched in 2023, it was bought with its Charging Speaker Dock within the field. The dock and pill have been designed for use collectively, so it is sensible that they have been bought collectively, too. Though Google now sells the 2 individually, that pairing, no less than for the Charging Speaker Dock, is sort of important. The dock cannot do something by itself aside from hogging an outlet. With out a Pixel Pill magnetically hooked up, the Charging Speaker Dock cannot act as a degree to forged audio to or work together with voice assistants like Google Assistant and Gemini. It is only a charger and nothing extra.

With the Pixel Pill 2, Google wants to provide the Charging Speaker Dock an improve. On the very least, it ought to have the ability to play audio when a pill is not hooked up, however the ideally suited consequence is the brand new Dock slots in as one other speaker in Google’s seemingly forgotten Nest Audio good speaker lineup. That means, shopping for the Dock by itself may really be worthwhile — assuming these new skills do not radically add to the present $129 value — as an alternative of simply present as an adjunct for a pill.

Associated

What is Hub Mode on the Pixel Tablet and what does it do?

Learn the way your Pixel Pill will be extra helpful with Chromecast, Google Assistant and extra.

4 An improve to the Tensor chip and display screen

Google / Pocket-lint

The Pixel Pill shipped in 2023 with Tensor G2 and a ten.95-inch LCD. By the point 2023 had ended, Google had launched the Tensor G3 on the Pixel 8 and was providing a Pixel 8 Pro with its personal customized “Tremendous Actua” OLED display screen. The Pixel Pill’s elements weren’t previous by any means, however they have been instantly overshadowed by the large spec bounce Google made with its new Pixel 8, and in 2024, the Pixel 9. It is not clear what chip Google will find yourself utilizing on a Pixel Pill 2, however it will possibly’t use the identical one and count on prospects to improve.

Past a brand new Tensor chip, Google might change the expertise of utilizing a Pixel Pill through the use of a distinct show. A high-refresh price OLED display screen like the corporate makes use of on its present Pixel telephones wouldn’t solely make watching a film or TV present extra visually pleasurable, however it might permit a hypothetical Pixel Pill 2 to show data even when it is not in use. That might be an actual profit to the pill’s function as a wise residence hub.

Associated

What is the Google Tensor G3 and how is it different from Tensor G2?

Google introduced a brand new customized chip to go together with the Pixel 8. What’s new with it?

5 Pill-exclusive AI options

Google ought to construct Gemini experiences for bigger screens

Now that almost all premium smartphones are neck and neck on the subject of digicam efficiency, a serious promoting level of Google’s Pixel telephones is their unique, AI-powered software program options. Issues like Pixel Screenshots or Pixel Recorder could appear area of interest, however they actually do make utilizing Google’s smartphones higher than different Android units. Surprisingly, Google hasn’t created something comparable for its solely pill. The Pixel Pill helps Circle to Search for trying to find something you see in your display screen, and provides you an identical quantity of entry to Gemini as some other Android system, however there’s nothing that is particular to the pill’s {hardware}.

The Pixel Pill 2 ought to have some sort of AI trick up its sleeve when it launches. Whether or not it is paired with deeper stylus help and appears just like the new Kindle Scribe’s handwriting conversion and word summarization or Apple Intelligence’s means to show doodles, there needs to be one thing to distinguish the Pixel Pill.

Associated

How to access Gemini Live, Google’s new lifelike voice assistant

Gemini Stay, Google’s new voice mode for its AI assistant, is rolling out to Android customers, however you may want the fitting subscription to entry it.