Google launched the Pixel Pill, full with its docking station turning it into a wise show, at Google I/O alongside the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold final 12 months.
It was Google’s first own-brand providing in a few years (since 2015’s one-off Pixel C) and it was extremely anticipated, to say the least.
A pill that converts into a wise show has been seen earlier than by the likes of Lenovo, however Google had a novel tackle it. The Pixel Pill is actually a wise display-tablet hybrid, although as our full evaluate reveals, it’s removed from good.
Rumours recommend Google can be releasing a brand new model of the Pixel Pill in 2024, nevertheless it’s not the successor you may need been hoping for.
When is the Pixel Pill launch date?
The Google Pixel Pill went on sale pm 20 June 2023. You should purchase it now direct from Google, and through some third-party retailers within the UK, US, Canada, Australia, France and Germany.
Nonetheless, in line with a leaker Arsène Lupin on X, Google will relaunch the Pixel Pill with out its dock this 12 months. It might be unveiled at Google’s I/O developer convention, which is confirmed to happen on 14 Might 2024.
How a lot does the Pixel Pill value?
Costs for the Pixel Pill begin at $499/£599 and this consists of the Charging Speaker Dock. You should purchase further docks should you like at $129/£139 every nevertheless it’s not presently doable to purchase the pill by itself.
That’s costlier than the $449/£499 Tenth-gen iPad, Apple’s present ‘customary’ mannequin.
Equipment will embody the official Pixel Pill Case which is appropriate with the docking station and has a cultured steel ring stand (see beneath). It prices $79/£89.
The bottom worth of $499/£599 will get you a 128GB mannequin however there’s additionally a 256GB choice should you want extra storage, although it prices an additional $100/£100.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Nonetheless, if rumoured relaunch of the Pixel Pill will turn into true, leaker Arsène Lupin says that “it’s good to purchase €600+ pill after which the equipment” which is able to value €100 every.
The $499/£599 beginning worth of the pill itself is more likely to stay, although.
What are the Pixel Pill specs and options?
Since we’ve reviewed the Pixel Pill, we will fill you in on all of the detailed specs and the way the machine works with its bundled docking station.
If the pill can be relaunched this 12 months, we don’t anticipate to see any modifications right here.
Design
Let’s begin with the pill itself which is available in two colors – within the UK a minimum of – with a selection of Porcelain or Hazel.
The supplied spec sheet additionally mentions Rose so I think about this can be obtainable in chosen markets. Be aware that the entrance bezel is white for the Porcelain colourway and black for Hazel.
The principle physique has a nano-ceramic coating and is made with over 30% recycled supplies (based mostly on weight) and the aluminum within the enclosure is 100% recycled. It’s 8.1mm thick and weighs 493g.
A fingerprint sensor resides within the energy button and, as per the unique teasers, 4 steel contacts on the again type a Pogo pin connector to be used with the docking station. The Pixel Pill additionally has three far-field mics which is uncommon for a pill, however are wanted to show it into a wise show when docked.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Show
It has an 11-inch display, though it’s technically 10.95-inch because of its rounded corners. It’s an LCD panel (so no OLED of any form) with a 2560×1600 decision, 16:10 facet ratio and an anti-smudge coating.
The Pixel Pill has a typical 500 nit brightness and just like the Subsequent Hubs, has an ambient gentle sensor so it may be routinely adjusted, together with color, with Ambient EQ.
That’s loads of actual property for viewing content material and you must be capable to hear it loud and clear due to 4 audio system – two on both aspect when in panorama orientation.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Efficiency & cameras
Below the hood is Google’s personal Tensor G2 processor with Titan M2 safety chip seen within the Pixel 7 telephones.There’s 8GB of RAM and a selection between 128- or 256GB of storage. There’s no microSD card slot for including your personal.
Oddly, regardless of having an 8Mp front-facing digital camera (and the identical on the rear), the Pixel Pill doesn’t seem to have the Face Match function discovered on Google’s Nest Hub Max – its bigger sensible show.
This will recognise totally different customers so that you get personalised expertise (eg your calendar occasions) and likewise gestures resembling holding up your palm to pause music. The pill additionally appears to lack a bodily swap to mute the mics and switch the cameras off.
Again to the cameras briefly and Google says they’re optimised for video and Meet with steady framing, focus, auto lighting changes and 360-degree digital backgrounds.
Battery & connectivity
Rounding off the core specs are a 12-hour battery life (for video streaming), USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. As rumoured, it has an Extremely-Wideband chip however Google solely feedback on this as being for “correct ranging”.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Software program
It’s additionally price noting that the machine comes with Android 14 and a promise of a minimum of 5 years of OS updates so Android 15 is assured, plus a number of extra past. The Pixel Pill is the primary Android pill to come back with Google Forged that means you’ll be able to solid content material to it out of your telephone, or certainly one other pill.
The caveat right here is that it does must be in Hub Mode, although there’s no use for casting when it’s not docked anyway. Be aware that the Pixel Pill runs full Android, not like the Nest Hubs which have a customized Fuchia OS so there can be variations in the way in which they work.
Charging Speaker Dock
This leads us to the aptly, does what it says on the tin, Charging Speaker Dock. It’s a docking station that prices the Pixel Pill and likewise has a speaker built-in. When connected (through magnets), primarily turns the pill right into a Nest Hub sensible show.
Since you should purchase further docks, the pill can transfer round the home with you for various conditions – eg a bedside clock, a recipe e book within the kitchen, a jukebox in the lounge and a calendar within the workplace.
Google says “when the pill is in Hub Mode it turns right into a useful house machine you should use even hands-free. Use it as a wise house controller, music and leisure participant, voice-activated helper or digital picture body.”
The Charging Speaker Dock can cost the pill at as much as 15W and has a 43.5mm full-range driver which suggests “4 occasions the bass of the Pixel Pill alone” and seamless transition of audio once you dock the pill.
Pixel Pill key specs
- Android 14
- 5 years of Pixel updates
- 10.95-inch LCD display, 2560×1600, 16:10
- Tensor G2 chip
- 8GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage
- Quad audio system
- 3 mics far-field
- Fingerprint Unlock with energy button
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Extremely-Wideband chip for correct ranging
- Google Forged
- Pogo pin connector for speaker dock
- USB-C
- Twin 8Mp cameras
- 12 hours video streaming
- 8.1mm
- 493g
