Google has finally brought Google Assistant to the Pixel C tablet. It has surely taken an unusually long time for it to arrive on the tablet. Google Assistant was pushed out to Android tablets in December, but the Google Pixel C was not on the list of devices that received it.
The Pixel C tablet has always been Google’s neglected child. Pixel C users would have to wait longer than other device users for every new feature, update and bug fix. The same thing happened with Google Assistant, which initially was exclusive to Pixel handsets. Later, the search giant expanded its voice assistant to other Android handsets and tablets, but not the Pixel C tablet.
Even though the Google Pixel C was running Oreo, the assistant was still kept off of it. Meanwhile, the feature was made available on the Pixelbook. What was even more disappointing for Pixel C owners was that Google gave no reason for the delay, and repeated requests for the feature were falling on deaf ears–until now.
Several reports now claim that the latest Google app brings Google Assistant with it. The tech firm has also confirmed to Engadget the arrival of its voice-based assistant on the Google Pixel C. To easily access the Google Assistant shortcut, Pixel C users can create a shortcut.
Reports suggest that not all of Google Assistant’s features have been made available on the Google Pixel C. Apart from that, the feature works the same as it does on supported smartphones. There is other good news as well for Pixel C owners. Unlike other Android tablets, Google Assistant on the Pixel C supports landscape mode, according to 9to5Google. Though it this is not a big deal, it makes using the feature a bit more convenient, as users will not have rotate their tablet.
Even though Google Assistant debuted on the Pixel C, the future of the tablet itself is cloudy. Last year, the search giant removed the tablet from its online store, fueling speculations that its end is near. The tablet was launched in 2015. Though Google never provided sales data for it, it seems likely that it didn’t sell very well. Low sales of the tablet could be the only reason for the delayed arrival of Google Assistant on the Pixel C. The search giant wants its assistant to be widely available, which mean targeting devices with a big user base.
In other Google news, almost two years after their debut, the Pixel and Pixel XL have been removed from the Google Store. The smartphones were launched in October 2016. Though they are no longer available on the Google Store, one can easily purchase them at various other online stores, including Amazon and Best Buy.
The Google Store’s smartphone category now only lists the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The search giant has also confirmed this development to The Verge. Google’s decision to cut the old Pixel handsets from its store does make sense, it can now fully focus on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.
The original Pixel phones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC and came with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM. On the back, both have a 12.3-megapixel Sony IMX378 camera sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, while on the front, they are fitted with an 8-megapixel Sony IMX179 sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. The smaller of the two has a 5-inch full-HD (1080 x 1920) display, while the other one has a 5.5-inch QHD (1440 x 2560) display.
Google will continue to roll out software updates for the original Pixels for another six months. This suggests that Android P will be their last version. However, the devices will continue to get security updates for another year.
The first Pixel phones were the game-changer for the search giant. Prior to their launch, many had doubts if the company could come up with a worthy phone. The handsets surprised many and attracted many more who were fascinated by its software-based camera tricks. Though the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are worthy successors, they have been marred by a plethora of technical issues. Issues with the latest model may have encouraged many to go for the tried and tested model.
