Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kYZplJcjzAX3qyQ7-gqfKRgYBhriyODQEbNgt_OvHrNrAkQA-bhtW68tgUxzC8cIFGGRcd405THQwqDTr5mvcPEKX_XJMojhIrrL_bgtVeJIvXkmEz7LU9-xYBrRFZwMm-d41oHdT_8Q/s1600/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kYZplJcjzAX3qyQ7-gqfKRgYBhriyODQEbNgt_OvHrNrAkQA-bhtW68tgUxzC8cIFGGRcd405THQwqDTr5mvcPEKX_XJMojhIrrL_bgtVeJIvXkmEz7LU9-xYBrRFZwMm-d41oHdT_8Q/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up.gif" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pixel C attaches to the QWERTY keyboard thanks to a nifty hinge and some strong magnets</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> GOOGLE'S Pixel C is a sleek and stylish tablet with a stunning 10inch display that can transform into a productivity-focused hybrid, thanks to a nifty hinge and some powerful magnets. Read our first impressions as well as full details of UK price and release date –</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Google wants to make Android tablets more productive. And the Pixel C – developed by the same team responsible for the £1,049 ChromeBook Pixel laptop – is a stylish proof of concept.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Director of Product Management at Google, Andrew Bowers first unveiled the Pixel C at the US firm's annual device refresh,<a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/09/google-nexus-6p-massive-leak-reveals.html"> back in September.</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Tablets are great for games, reading or watching movies but they often force you back to a laptop when you want to write a document or respond to a long email," he told the audience.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "And while there are plenty of keyboard accessories, they're often just that – accessories."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C hopes to solve both of those problems. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And it succeeds. Well, <em>almost</em>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> <strong><em>NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com</em> has been playing around with the Pixel C for the last couple of days and these are our first impressions of this brand-new Google device –</strong></h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C is a brilliant tablet – especially when compared to the somewhat <a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/nexus-6p-review-has-google-finally.html">disappointing build quality of the creaky, plastic Nexus 9</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Svelte and stylish, the Pixel C is a meagre 7mm thick but feels solid in the hand, thanks to the anodised aluminium frame.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The subtle curves around the edges of the device mean it's a pleasure to use as a tablet – with the keyboard either magnetically attached to the back or tucked away in your rucksack. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0Tc59PfPgoIECp_WswE31hooAXJxH4uApZFZlxeHwoDOEg60juCssiLS52iyyFPwrZpHFieyjebajXPGsSxGpeJQV4kp2-7vmG79koG7AeenuQ80YJfCGmjvMwrQUE0Scs3VMna1G9ru/s1600/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0Tc59PfPgoIECp_WswE31hooAXJxH4uApZFZlxeHwoDOEg60juCssiLS52iyyFPwrZpHFieyjebajXPGsSxGpeJQV4kp2-7vmG79koG7AeenuQ80YJfCGmjvMwrQUE0Scs3VMna1G9ru/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+2.jpg" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pixel C is easily the best Android tablet you can buy anywhere right now</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Google has packed a pair of stereo speakers into the thin chasis, alongside a new USB Type C port for data transfers and fast-charging and a standard 3.5mm headphone port.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The stereo speakers – which are placed at the top and bottom of the device when it's held in portrait mode – are surprisingly loud and pleasantly clear, although they can't hold a candle <a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/apple-ipad-pro-review-apples-giant.html">to the iPad Pro</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Unfortunately the placement of the speakers is a bit of a problem. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you're lounging on a sofa and holding the Pixel C in portrait mode, you will more than likely bury one of the speaker grills in your lap. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Spin the tablet around and hold in it landscape, and you'll likely cover the speaker grills with the palms of your hand.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Powering the Pixel C is a 64-bit Nvidia Tegra X1 coupled with 3GB of RAM. Predictably, this keeps the tablet smooth and responsive – even when it's required to do some heavy lifting.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ48bXgrhe2l8RIwWZuy_30sFuaJT8XQ6NyMgdh19p6otevwqDusH3B96wtAD_-p38Cfz_lARS_z6vDjx4yO-nzMQelVtmYMltJuYLKcTpVR0_xYkaUy0XUqa9SHAL5SotYEeJSW5hKvgG/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google has crammed a staggering 2560 x 1800 resolution display into this svelte tablet</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Google has also fitted the Pixel C with a eight megapixel rear camera and a two megapixel video chat camera. Both are fine, but nothing to write home about <a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/nexus-6p-review-has-google-finally.html">– unlike the shooter on Google's recent Nexus 6P smartphone</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The US search firm has placed the front-facing camera so that it sits dead-centre in the top bezel while the Pixel C is docked in its keyboard, like a webcam on a traditional laptop set-up.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Most of the time, that works well. Although it does result in a slightly strange angle when you use the tablet in portrait mode to make a Skype call.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But that's a small quibble and there are always going to be compromises with these two-in-one hybrids – also dubbed convertibles, which is incidentally what the 'C' in Pixel C stands for.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C is a phenomenal tablet, thanks to its eye-watering 10.2inch display.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Google has crammed a staggering 2560 x 1800 resolution Low Temperature PolySilicon LCD display into this tablet – resulting in an impressive 308 pixels-per-inch.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The playful and colourful visuals in Android 6.0 Marshmallow shine on this bright, vibrant and pin-sharp display.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eor7EpNFnO2Wl27TeLFQLGqcOWEO9NWj5zLFLs0gn2-n8Wl7uD14ZjzguhIGKu8YdWKJSaNJrx8SM9gFwpyJZEBMGV7VLB3YTOW68itbi2UQr4QUTLdia3ectU9RTcCvZoEDrJSP1G2D/s1600/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eor7EpNFnO2Wl27TeLFQLGqcOWEO9NWj5zLFLs0gn2-n8Wl7uD14ZjzguhIGKu8YdWKJSaNJrx8SM9gFwpyJZEBMGV7VLB3YTOW68itbi2UQr4QUTLdia3ectU9RTcCvZoEDrJSP1G2D/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+4.jpg" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnets keeps the keyboard attached to the Pixel C – and they are staggeringly strong</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Although Google wants the Pixel C to be a more productivity-minded device – ogling at the latest blockbusters or playing stunning games like Monument Valley is a joy.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C also packs an impressive battery life – some 34 hours by Google's count. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com</em> hasn't had a chance to put the Pixel C through its paces with our own battery test, which we will run before the full review, but we've rarely found ourselves reaching for the charger while using this tablet.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C is easily the best tablet Google has ever shipped – and its probably the best Android tablet on the market right now, but how does it stack-up as a productivity machine?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Well, that depends entirely on what you want to do.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Director of Product Management Mr Bowers said the Pixel C was designed to stop tablets forcing us to reach for a "laptop when you want to write a document or respond to a long email".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And judged by those requirements, the Pixel C is a rip-roaring success.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Google team has built a staggeringly good chiclet QWERTY keyboard that's fast and enjoyable to use.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Unfortunately it's not quite full size, although Google has slimmed down many of the symbol and function keys – like @ and TAB – to keep the letter keys as close to full-size as possible for this 10.2inch tablet.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This takes a little getting used to – but this is unmistakably a brilliant keyboard.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Google has also engineered a solid mechanism to attach the keyboard to the tablet.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The tablet attaches to a hinge, which allows users to adjust the screen angle from 100 to 135 degrees over 1.4 mm of travel, via strong magnets on the rear of the tablet.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The anodised aluminium keyboard is also solid enough to balance on your lap <a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/surface-pro-4-review-microsoft-has.html">– unlike the Microsoft Surface Pro kickstand –</a> and charges over inductive charging.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMJk43KlW_U5uUh8FDF-e-g6twiNHKoFS5hH1YRs7FiIrUc3Q8nmXcU4wfIHd4BbL1oN43jaUYMGRugOMgspBlMe4NWAFx7Lbbw_H8vjdA_ulLjTk-gmM102Vk3zZeosIaJw0q4ng8AkK/s1600/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMJk43KlW_U5uUh8FDF-e-g6twiNHKoFS5hH1YRs7FiIrUc3Q8nmXcU4wfIHd4BbL1oN43jaUYMGRugOMgspBlMe4NWAFx7Lbbw_H8vjdA_ulLjTk-gmM102Vk3zZeosIaJw0q4ng8AkK/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+5.jpg" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The keyboard accessory is solid and can be used on your lap, unlike the Surface Pro</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fAwggfKVkGCCHMP_TEjrk3rJjHr93Gdm35l7GZsm9FdrlDXPzKKQdc2dxA1LZtoyi_n2pjIG9BB7_lYWvpBO1k84uWjc0c_JQ5q3p-13E0rVHtG717c6AVgf72pRG6CP5obEsCAkNBkK/s1600/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fAwggfKVkGCCHMP_TEjrk3rJjHr93Gdm35l7GZsm9FdrlDXPzKKQdc2dxA1LZtoyi_n2pjIG9BB7_lYWvpBO1k84uWjc0c_JQ5q3p-13E0rVHtG717c6AVgf72pRG6CP5obEsCAkNBkK/s640/Google+Pixel+C+is+a+phenomenal+Android+tablet%252C+but+a+mediocre+productivity+set-up+6.jpg" title="Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Google lights, which also work as a battery indicator when the device is closed, is a nice touch</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Unfortunately the Pixel C begins to fall-down as soon as you attempt to do anything more than "write a document or respond to a long email".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Android Marshmallow still doesn't have split-screen support baked into the operating system, which immediately limits your productivity when compared to the <a href="http://newsnewsblog.blogspot.com/2015/12/surface-pro-4-review-microsoft-has.html">aforementioned Surface Pro</a> or <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/622615/Apple-iPad-Pro-Review-UK-Price-Pencil">Apple iPad Pro</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C is a flawless writing machine, thanks to the brilliant Google Docs app and accurate and enjoyably clicky keyboard.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But attempt to do anything more involved and the frustrations of Android Marshmallow will have you reaching for your laptop once again.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Pixel C is a brilliant tablet – and the solid keyboard is a great bonus. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But this killer accessory does not transform the Pixel C into a post-PC laptop replacement. It simply makes typing on the Pixel C much more enjoyable.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>• Google Pixel C is available now on the <a href="https://store.google.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Google Store</a>.</strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>• UK Prices for the Pixel C – £399 for 32GB of internal storage, or £479 for 64GB </strong></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>• Pixel C Keyboard costs an additional £119</strong></div>

Google Pixel C is a phenomenal Android tablet, but a mediocre productivity set-up

The Pixel C attaches to the QWERTY keyboard thanks to a nifty hinge and some strong magnets GOOGLE'S Pixel C is a sleek and styli...

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