After years of being a shadow of PCs and smartphones, tablets are making a comeback. So much so that Google has created a division dedicated to their development.
The Google Pixel Slate
After experiencing its fleeting heyday in the 2010s, the touch pad quickly faded away. Despite all the efforts of the manufacturers, it will not have succeeded in replacing either the smartphone or the PC. However, some models have managed to endure. First of all, the hegemonic Apple iPad, but also Microsoft’s Surface, which has managed to show another, more hybrid path.
But, surprise, now the market is experiencing a jump! Apple declines larigot, Samsung comes to compete, Xiaomi invites itself to the party … we did not expect it, but now in 2020 slate sales are on the rise again for the first time in years . It was enough to motivate Google.
Google puts everything on tablets
After experiencing real success with the Nexus 7 (and a real flop with the Pixel Slate), Google has finally understood one of the main problems in this segment: the OS. Android is clearly poorly suited and that’s why Google has decided to launch Android 12L, a version designed for large screens (tablets or foldable smartphones). This is serious !
So serious that 9to5Google discovered a job offer for a “engineering manager for the application experience of Android tablets», in Mountain View obviously. The ad in question states:
We believe the future of computing is moving towards more powerful and capable tablets. We’re striving to deliver the next chapter of computing by launching seamless support across our platforms and experiences that unlock new and better ways to be productive and creative.
Just that.
All-in on the tablets
Along with this, ComputerWorld noted that Rich Miner made changes to his LinkedIn page. The one who co-founded Android Inc. before its takeover by Google thus claims to be the CTO of Android Tablets. It would therefore seem that Google has created a division dedicated to this format.
It must be said that with the transition from Apple to ARM, thus creating a breath of fresh air for the entire industry, we can expect a smoothing of functions between PCs and tablets. The iPad M1, for example, is as powerful as a MacBook Air…
It remains to be seen if it’s another Google fad that will end up in a closet in 6 months (remember Stadia, we wanted to believe it), or if it’s really about the future of computing…
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You can read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.