Google’s new Android 14 beta hints at Pixel Tablet 2

The first Android 14 QPR3 beta is now live, giving us a glimpse of what’s coming with June’s Pixel Drop. We’ve already learned quite a bit about the features to expect, including improved touch sensitivity based on the user’s environment and the long-awaited addition of a cover/external screen for the Pixel Fold. Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 also appears to include references to a potential Pixel Tablet successor.

Thanks to some research from the Android sleuths at 9to5Google, we now know the codename. clementine and Kiyomi It appeared in the code of the latest beta update.For some context, Google named the first generation of tablets tango proalthough there were some basic ones, tangor (hybrid citrus) A variety that never saw the light of day. So the idea that the Pixel Tablet 2 could be named after a hybrid citrus fruit like clementine or kiyomi carries some weight. These codenames also indicate that Google may have two versions of his Pixel Tablet 2.

The appearance of these codenames doesn’t necessarily mean Google will release the Pixel Tablet 2 this year. For example, Google first announced its Pixel Tablet during I/O 2022, but it wasn’t until June 2023 that it started shipping to customers. So there’s a lot of uncertainty here. Either way, we hope Google has learned from the Pixel Tablet’s poor feature set, especially compared to other Android tablets in the industry.As a gadget editor taylor kearns In his review, he says that Google’s revived tablet is promising, but that those looking for a more sophisticated option should wait for its successor.

Google Pixel tablet in action

Charging speaker docks, on the other hand, are a decent idea, but they come with their own problems, including subpar audio quality. This is a non-negotiable for accessories sold as speakers. Additionally, Google does not allow customers to purchase his Pixel tablet without a charging speaker and his dock, but we hope this will change with the successor.

Another interesting aspect to note is software updates. Google is currently offering seven years of updates to its Pixel 8 smartphones, so it’s possible the Pixel Tablet 2 will receive similar treatment. Given that people generally use tablets for longer periods of time than mobile phones, it makes sense that tablets would have longer update periods. It’s unclear whether we’ll see a Pixel Tablet 2 this year, but Google is expected to launch the Pixel 8a in the coming months, a mid-range alternative to the more expensive Pixel 8 series.