After I wrote a comparable piece to this one final yr, there was a bit extra pleasure within the air. Google had simply launched its Chromebook Plus moniker, which has seemingly confirmed to be a hit. However as I replicate on the months previous, that sense of pleasure has changed into a little bit of unease.
I’ve the same feeling relating to Android tablets however to a lesser extent. With a number of exceptions, probably not a lot has modified when wanting on the general panorama. Samsung continues to be on the prime however has seemingly shifted its focus to extra budget-friendly options. In the meantime, different tablets had been launched which can be making an attempt to make a dent in an more and more stagnant market.
None of that is to say that there is nothing to be enthusiastic about, however seeing how every little thing performed out, my expectations have positively shifted. Even nonetheless, there are some things that I’d like to see out of each Chromebooks and tablets as we get able to kick off the brand new yr.
Extra storage please
The logical a part of my mind understands that not very many individuals really care about having totally different storage choices in Chromebooks. More often than not, you will be utilizing this whereas linked to the web anyway, so you’ll be able to simply depend on Google Drive or one other cloud storage resolution to retailer information.
However after I have a look at a tool just like the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus and see that it solely has 128GB of non-upgradeable storage, I am a bit dissatisfied. Samsung tries to offset storage issues by together with a microSD card slot, however this is not the case with each Chromebook.
Frankly, it is simply disappointing to see, and it is one thing that I hope is rectified in some capability. At this price, I would just be blissful to see a brand new Framework Laptop computer Chromebook, which provides me all the flexibility I might need in a Chromebook.
Flagship ARM chips
As quickly as I heard about Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X sequence of chips, I instantly thought of how nice it might be for Chromebooks. For one, there are a number of totally different processors throughout the sequence designed to hit numerous budgets and value factors. On the identical time, providing a stability of efficiency and battery life that we nonetheless lengthy for with Chromebooks.
For sure, I used to be a bit dissatisfied to not see a single Snapdragon X-powered Chromebook introduced earlier than the top of the yr. I hoped that we’d have at the very least seen one, even when it was only a teaser forward of CES 2025. Sadly, that hasn’t come to fruition, and I’ve all however given up on the thought of a Chromebook powered by Google’s Tensor chip.
Smaller flagship tablets
Even when I did not write about tablets as a part of my job, I would nonetheless use them all the time. It is a part of why foldable telephones are so vital to me since they’re mainly mini tablets that may be folded in half and caught in a pocket. Gone are the times of needing JNCO denims everytime you’re heading out and wish to deliver a pill with you.
So after I say that I hope to see extra “smaller” flagship tablets, I am not even speaking in regards to the OnePlus Pad 2 or RedMagic Nova. I imply even smaller, one thing across the dimension of the Nexus 7, if not somewhat bit bigger. OnePlus and RedMagic are filling the void left by Samsung’s resolution to forgo the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S10. Exterior of that, if you need a compact flagship pill, your finest guess is to import one thing just like the Lenovo Legion Y700.
Think about having a pill that you could comfortably maintain in a single hand and use for every little thing and something. Sure, Amazon’s Fireplace Tablets nonetheless exist, however these are low-cost and lack the efficiency that I am on the lookout for. What I would actually like to see is Google launch a contemporary model of the Nexus 7, however everyone knows that will not occur.
Google ought to change its thoughts
I suppose it is solely proper for me to complete this piece by pleading with Google once more. I really feel prefer it’s turning right into a little bit of a behavior, as I’ve pleaded and begged for Google to reverse rumored selections, just for them to fall on deaf ears. However I digress.
The very first thing that I need Google to vary its thoughts about is exiting the pill market. After all, these are simply rumors, and nothing has been confirmed, however all the indicators level to the Pixel Pill being a “one-and-done” gadget. And albeit, that is simply downright disappointing.
Even in its present state, the Pixel Pill is fairly nice so long as you perceive the restrictions up entrance. For me, the Pill and Charging Dock have been a staple on my desk, giving me the very best good dwelling controller that I’ve ever used. No, I am not right here to make that argument once more.
All I am saying is that I wish to see Google follow the pill, at the very least for one more iteration or two. How can an organization count on gross sales to be nice when it takes an odd method to the discharge? Every little thing was (principally) wonderful when you could possibly solely get the Pixel Pill with the Charging Speaker Dock. However then, Google modified course and made it so you could possibly purchase the Pixel Pill by itself. Oh, and that occurred a yr after the unique launch.
It additionally would not assist that the Pixel Pill makes use of an LCD panel with a 60Hz refresh price and a processor that may’t take full benefit of the brand new Gemini options that Google is so centered on. If something, there’s a possibility to provide the Pixel Pill a “glow-up” in the identical means that we noticed going from the Pixel Fold to the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.
What in regards to the supposed Pixel Laptop computer?
There’s one looming query surrounding each Chromebooks and tablets, and that is whether or not Google is definitely planning to launch a laptop computer powered by Android. I am not good sufficient to know the way this may have an effect on the market, however it might positively come as fairly a shock.
Whereas some could consider that Google is seeking to change ChromeOS with Android, I am of the mindset that such a transfer can be a nasty thought. There’s an excessive amount of cash concerned with Chromebooks and the training section that I do not assume Google would wish to jeopardize that.
That being stated, I’m interested by how a possible Pixel Laptop computer can be introduced if it really sees a launch. If I am placing on my tinfoil hat, this may very well be the explanation why Google is rumored to have canned future Pixel Tablets. Nevertheless, I do not consider {that a} conventional laptop computer powered by Android can be logical.
Though I really feel as if the preliminary rumors had been simply seeded so Google might flush out some dangerous apples, my mind retains telling me that it is attainable. Once more, not the entire Android changing ChromeOS, however the thought of a possible Android laptop computer.
I am nonetheless not even satisfied that it is a “the place there’s smoke, there’s hearth” state of affairs. However Google is working in direction of one thing totally different, as evidenced by continued enhancements being made to the native Desktop Mode, together with the shocking addition of a Linux terminal app with Android 15 QPR2 Beta 2.
Are we in retailer for a significant shake up in 2025?
Oh, how nice it might be to look right into a crystal ball and see what issues will seem like this time subsequent yr. Truly, that will form of suck, at the very least relying on how issues shake out.
Moreover that, I am actually not anticipating many drastic or earth-shattering modifications to come back to both Chromebooks or Android tablets. Even when the rumors the Pixel Laptop computer are true, I believe that it will not see the sunshine of day till someday in 2026. This provides Google loads of time to enhance Android’s native Desktop Mode, and implement another options it’d wish to embrace.
As a substitute, we’ll in all probability see the identical corporations launch incremental “upgrades” whereas Google continues to search out new methods to entice everybody to make use of Gemini. We count on to see the “Fast Insert” key make its means onto extra Chromebooks, making it so you do not have to manually remap a key, or attempt to keep in mind the keyboard mixture.
On the identical time, I would not be stunned if we began to see Google introduce a devoted Gemini key for each Chromebooks and tablets. Lots of the newest Home windows laptops are geared up with a Copilot key, and I believe Google will observe go well with.
Gemini is continuous to enhance, as evidenced by the swath of updates Google rolled out on the finish of 2024. But when Google needs to maintain up with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, it wants extra methods to get individuals utilizing Gemini. The addition of a devoted key would go a good distance in making an attempt to just do that, even when it’d find yourself as a controversial resolution.
Who is aware of — I have been improper earlier than, and I hope I am improper once more.
