Google Pauses Pixel Tablet 2, But Android Tablet Features Still Improving
It seems that Google has decided to take a step back from the tablet market, which is a shame considering the strides Android has made in tablet functionality. Bloomberg reported that Google is hitting pause on tablet development, waiting to see what the future holds for the category. For me, this is a bit disappointing news.
Over the last couple of years, Google has been quietly enhancing Android's compatibility with peripherals. I think that these enhancements weren't solely for tablets; they're part of a larger vision. Google seems to be aiming for a unified platform, merging Chrome OS and Android. To achieve this, they've been working hard on PC-like features for keyboard and mouse input.
One of the most exciting additions is the ability to create custom app launch shortcuts. Before, if you wanted a specific keyboard shortcut, you were stuck with a predefined list of apps. However, in the latest Android 16 update, I discovered a new "+Add shortcut" button, allowing you to assign custom keyboard shortcuts to any app on your device. For instance, I mapped 'Meta + Ctrl + T' to launch a Linux Terminal app.
Although it's limited to 10 custom shortcuts, this feature is still incredibly useful, especially if you frequently use a physical keyboard with your Android device. However, it's worth noting that this customization menu is exclusive to devices with screens larger than 600dp, which is a limitation, in my opinion.
Action Corners
Mac users might be familiar with Hot Corners, a feature that lets you perform actions by moving the cursor to a corner of the screen. I can tell you that Google is bringing something similar to Android. In Android 16, you can configure Action Corners to trigger actions like going Home, opening recent apps, or expanding the notification panel. This could be a real time-saver, especially when multitasking on tablets or PCs.
Beyond these features, Android 16 also brings a host of new settings for tweaking mouse behavior. You can now adjust cursor acceleration, reverse the scroll direction, and even swap the primary and secondary mouse buttons. It's clear that Google is paying attention to the details, trying to make Android a more versatile operating system.
Lastly, the three-finger touchpad tap gesture now lets you open any app of your choice. While it's not as flexible as the keyboard app shortcuts, I consider it a welcome addition.
While I'm thrilled about these improvements, Google's decision to put the Pixel Tablet 2 on hold is disappointing. I think that a new Pixel Tablet with these features would have been a fantastic productivity device. It's now up to other manufacturers to step up and carry the torch, which they will likely do when Android 17 arrives.
Source: AndroidAuthority