Pixelbook Go is Here, Now What?
So the much anticipated Google event has come and gone and boy, are we delighted with all the new hardware announced. Here’s a first; the Pixelbook Go ended up being exactly what we are expected, which is quite exciting.
Did we expect more? Certainly, we did because we had initially hoped that the Pixelbook Go would be the Pixelbook 2 update but later presumed that wouldn’t be the case and thankfully, that turned out exactly as we had speculated.
What was thought to be the Pixelbook 2 which was the atlas hardware apparently ended up in the flesh of the Pixelbook Go
That has been a little frustrating for the fans of the OG Pixelbook, but what can we do, really?
As we had indicated in a previous article, the Pixel Slate shouldn’t be phased out; Google should instead focus on developing this category. And we can only but hope that the Pixelbook Go isn’t, in fact, here to replace the Pixel Slate.
Moving forward:
We now recognize the position of the Pixelbook Go, however, there is still hope for the Pixelbook 2.
You’d most certainly agree that announcing the Pixelbook Go and not the Pixelbook 2 alongside it is a pretty drastic move even by Google considering the first generation Pixelbook is now two years old.
And you might be wondering; What may we expect?
A different release cycle? Like a new four-year release circle for Pixelbook or a yearly version for the Pixelbook Go? Is the search giant really just testing the waters could this be the end of the “Pixelbook” itself? I most certainly hope not.
I had said that we can safely assume that it’d continue its two-year release schedule accustomed to Pixels before it. But, of course, I’m starting to think that statement couldn’t be any farther from the truth. And development on the Pixelbook two might have been altered or worst case, postponed entirely in favor of the Pixelbook Go.
Why do I say this? Google might have learned that Microsoft had way more surprises up its sleeve for its surface event and Google couldn’t allow it’s shining star (the Pixel line of computer hardware) not take all the spotlight for this fall.
However, the Pixelbook Go certainly delivers on what was expected of it considering that there have been several leaks leading up to the main event.
Considering what information we have on the actual Pixelbook 2, it is my best guess that Google has taken things back to the drawing board to really optimize the Pixelbook 2 experience that they hope to craft for those of us that hopped on the bandwagon of the Pixelbook 2 because of the original
On that note, here are the things that we are hoping to see featured in the new Pixelbook 2 should Google actually decide to launch the thing.
Biometrics
With how fragile platforms have become security-wise, it is no surprise that Secure Biometric technologies have become a norm in hardware design illustration and this is evident with devices like the Pixel Slate launched with a biometric fingerprint scanner.
We may very well expect the same approach on the updated Pixebook 2. This together with the Project Soli Radar tech featured in the Pixel 4 smartphone would make for a very attractive next-gen laptop.
Imagine the implementation of Project Soli radar tech on a Pixelbook wherein all you have to do is open the lid of your laptop and bam! You’re signed in. No passwords required.
One can argue that Soli isn’t a camera chip per say and only detects motion rather than captures them but Google is known to find some pretty clever implementations for its tech and it won’t far fetch to think Soli could understand user movements to a point where it could distinguish the person sitting in front of a computer just by how they blink.
Google isn’t messing around when it comes to what it wants to do with Soli and the addition of the tech within Pixelbook 2 would be the true definition of ambient computing.
Ambient Computing powered by Project Soli is Google’s next big venture and considering their track record when it comes to adoptions of exciting tech, expect Pixelbooks –Possibly the Pixelbook 2 — to arrive loaded with trendsetting innovations like Soli radar tech.
Pixelbook 2 in The Shell of Microsoft Surface Neo
There have been some groundbreaking announcements from Google’s archrivals Microsoft when the Redmond-based company held its own hardware event.
The creators of Windows OS made sure its name was on the lips of everyone when it announced the Surface Neo and Pro X.
Neo was actually the most exciting of its revelations as the company showcased a Windows-powered hybrid computer with two functional touchscreen displays.
Imagine being someone who spent most of the time on a computer — your life literally revolves around it– and always having to adjust your computer to suit your workflow. But with Neo, you won’t have to. At least that is the idea Microsoft is projecting.
More screens to play with means you are going to be more productive and rather than worry about how the device fits in with how you want to work, Neo just seamlessly integrates with every workflow scenario.
Companies love to nick ideas from each other and if Microsoft could launch a device like Neo, I will bet you five bucks that Google is also cooking up something similar. Would we see a dual-screen Pixelbook 2? Probably not.
Do I want a dual-screen Pixelbook device? I definitely do and since Soli has already made landfall on the Pixel 4 smartphone, combining it with a dual-screen Pixelbook will be the bomb.
3:2 Aspect Ratio For The Pixelbook 2
Hey, don’t get me wrong and I don’t really hate the 16:9 aspect ratio on the Pixelbook Go but while the display size is great, I feel like it is more suitable for media viewing like watching movies.
On the other hand, a 3:2 aspect ration feels grander and gives you a lot of space to work on and what’s up with Google and huge bezels? Have you seen the bezels on the Pixel 4? Yuck! Its 2019 and I am hoping the next Pixebook will feature much trimmer bezel catering for a more immersive experience considering it might feature the same 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display.
Wireless Charging
Wireless charging has been a sort of “hit and miss” for the few hardware developers brave enough to take on the challenge. Mostly aimed at smartphones, wirelessly charging your device hasn’t really taken off despite companies harboring some pretty high hopes for its future when it was just announced.
The method of wirelessly charging a device sounds pretty convenient in theory,– lay your phone on a pad, mat, or any surface that supports the technology and bam! It charges your phone without cords.
But wireless chargers for smartphones have been known to be notoriously slower than conventional means meaning you spent more time waiting for your phone to hit 100% using a wireless charger than just plugging it into a power outlet.
Using what is called electromagnetic induction, the tech relies on two coils — receiver and induction coils– to be precisely aligned for power to be transferred from something like charging mat to your device. This means it could literally stop charging if you want to use it.
This makes that a rather unattractive choice for charging a smartphone, however, wireless charging could work well with laptops since they are stationed most of the time when in use.
Should Google find a more convenient way of adopting wireless charging technology, the Pixelbook 2 should be the first device to arrive with it.
All you will need to charge your Pixelbook is a pad on your desk and fewer wires to tangle with.
In conclusion.
On paper, all these features sound great but it is not a guarantee that they will make it to Pixelbook 2 should the device ever see the light of day. However, if the current industry trajectory is anything to go by in terms of what consumers want, market presence and the hunger for innovation, the likelihood of Google adding one or all these features to the Pixelbook 2 is all but certain.
What are your expectations for Pixelbook 2?
