Google Android 7.0 ‘N’ will probably arrive by the end of next year, but there is one feature that the search giant is already using to tease users. The team behind the Pixel C tablet gave hints that the company is currently working on developing support for split screen.
Google admitted lack of tablet-optimized apps
In a recent Reddit AMA, Google’s director for consumer hardware, Andrew Bowers, said, “We’re working on lots of things right now for N that, of course, we wish we had, you know, yesterday. But we’d spoil the surprise of N if we shared all of them. Split screen is in the works!”
The team noted they are also working on smaller updates for the Pixel C. Apparently, Google plans on rolling out regular improvements to the convertible tablet just like it rolls out security updates for Nexus on a monthly basis. At launch, always-on ‘Ok Google’ support was missing from the new tablet, but the update is expected to include this addition.
Android ecosystem lacks a lot when it comes to tablet-optimized apps, the team acknowledged. Director of UX for Android and Chrome, Glen Murphy, said they are working with developers to get better and more awesome apps for the tablets. Murphy added that it is a sort of a chicken-egg problem, but admitted that an “awesome hardware” will act as a key driver.
Is $500 investment in Pixel C tablet worth it?
The issue on the split-screen functionality can be considered finally settled now, but there has been no discussion around an active Stylus accessory for the tablet. The developers have stated that the Pixel C tablet has been designed to function more like a productivity machine. Therefore, it makes more sense to lay greater emphasis on the keyboard input instead of a stylus.
It is worth mentioning that Android 6.0 offers support for styluses that are Bluetooth-activated. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to assume that some third-party accessory makers will possibly fill in the Pixel C’s lack of a stylus.
Nevertheless, the fact that Google is working on improving Android for the Pixel C is a good news, but investing $500 in this tablet might not be a wise decision, at least until some of these upgrades arrive. Google has priced the 32 GB version of the new Pixel C tablet at $499. The keyboard for the tablet is sold separately at a price of $149.
