Google’s flagship Android pill and iPad rival has been on sale for over a 12 months so will there be a second technology? We examine the Pixel Pill 2.
Final 12 months, the Pixel Pill arrived as an uncommon and distinctive idea within the pill market. Its Charging Speaker Dock and Chromecast talents made it stand out from the group.
Nonetheless, with no possibility to purchase the pill with out the docking station – now remedied – it was one thing of a tough promote with its authentic worth of £599/$499.
When is the Pixel Pill 2 launch date?
It’s well-known that Google can be unveiling the Pixel 9 vary (together with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold) at its subsequent Made by Google launch occasion.
This takes place on 13 August and the {hardware} occasion might be the launch date of different new Google gadgets such because the Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Professional 2 earbuds.
It’s additionally attainable we may see the Pixel Pill 2 be part of the get together, nevertheless it looks like the least prone to make an look.
Regardless of Cellphone Enviornment reporting that the Pixel Pill 2 ‘can be among the many new gadgets’ citing business insiders akin to Marques Brownlee (MKBHD), leaks for the pill have been skinny on the bottom which isn’t a great signal.
We’ll discover out for certain in a matter of days, however I wouldn’t be shocked if we see the Pixel Pill 2 later within the 12 months on the earliest and even subsequent 12 months on a 2-year refresh cycle.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How a lot will the Pixel Pill 2 price?
Though there aren’t any leaks on the Pixel Pill 2 worth but, it’s extensively thought that Google will observe the identical pricing construction as the unique.
That may imply it prices £599/$499 for a 128GB storage capability and consists of the docking station (price £139/$129 for the Pixel Pill). Then the 256GB will are available in at £699/$599.
Nonetheless, I’m not satisfied that Google will go down this path once more.
Many opinions, together with my very own, criticiced Google for not providing the pill by itself. Now Google appears to have realized from that mistake, I’m hoping it goes with this from the beginning for the second-generation.
Pitching the Pixel Pill 2 at round £399/$399 by itself and leaving the docking station as an non-obligatory further (with a bundle low cost) can be the wisest transfer in my view.
It might assist the system rival the iPad in any case.
What we wish to see within the Pixel Pill 2
Since there aren’t any rumours on the Pixel Pill 2 for its specs, design and the like, right here’s what we’d wish to see Google change and improve.
An improved display
The show on the Pixel Pill is respectable nevertheless it may actually be improved. I’d wish to see Google improve to an OLED panel with larger peak brightness in addition to a 90- or 120Hz refresh fee.
Maybe that is an improve to supply because the Pixel Pill 2 Professional at the next worth level, which could occur this time round.
Within the Android 14 beta, 9to5Google noticed mentions of ‘Clementine’ and ‘Kiyomi’ that are hybrid citrus fruits. The unique Pixel Pill was codenamed ‘Tangor’ which additionally refers back to the identical horticultural thought suggesting these new codenames relate to the Pixel Pill 2.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Higher audio
Whereas the audio is sweet on the Pixel Pill, the Charging Speaker Dock was disappointing, notably in comparison with the Nest Hub Max which is basically the identical system however with a hard and fast display.
Extra and higher high quality drivers are wanted, particularly if Google goes to place the same worth on the docking station.
Sooner charging
Google, together with rivals akin to Samsung, is without doubt one of the tech corporations dragging its toes relating to charging speeds.
The Pixel Pill solely expenses at 15W through USB-C which could be very gradual in fashionable requirements so this could leap to 25W or larger.
Chromecast without having the dock
The Pixel Pill is the one pill to supply Chromecast performance, which means you’ll be able to solid content material out of your cellphone to it from streaming providers akin to Netflix and the like.
Nonetheless, it should be docked for this to work which appears a disgrace. I need to have the ability to transfer the pill round the home and use this characteristic once I’ve taken it on vacation with out the dock.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Usable dock without having the pill
Conversely, it’s additionally not attainable to make use of the dock with out the pill connected which is one other missed trick.
It’s 2024, why can’t it present up as a tool for me to make use of from Spotify or related apps? Certain, Google would wish to place a bit extra tech inside so it doesn’t depend on the pill nevertheless it doesn’t really feel like an enormous ask.
We’ll be protecting an eye fixed out for Pixel Pill 2 information and rumours and can replace this text once they seem.
