During last year’s I/O Developer conference, Google had announced the upcoming release of its first-ever tablet, the Pixel Tablet. Fans have been eagerly anticipating its arrival ever since. Fortunately, it appears that their patience may finally be rewarded, as recent reports suggest that the Pixel tablet has arrived for approval at the FCC. This development signals that the device may be nearing its official release, with many speculating that it could debut at this year’s I/O conference, scheduled to take place next month.
Google Pixel Tablet features UWB
The long-awaited Google Pixel Tablet has made its way to the FCC for certification, revealing that it will be equipped with ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity, similar to the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro.
Any device with wireless connectivity that is to be sold must pass through various regulatory agencies across the globe, including the FCC in the United States. A new Google-made device with the model number GTU8P has now surfaced in the FCC’s database. In a document that describes where to locate the necessary FCC e-label, the location provided – “Settings > About > Regulatory labels” – matches this being an Android device. Furthermore, the GTU8P device is listed only for three connection standards: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UWB. We believe that GTU8P must be the Google Pixel Tablet, given the absence of cellular connectivity.
This news confirms that the Pixel Tablet will bring UWB connectivity to a large-screen gadget. Until now, UWB has not been utilized extensively in the Pixel series, primarily enabling users to use their phone as a digital car key, a function that would not work well with a bulky tablet.
Google may be preparing the Pixel Tablet to work with the “Tap to Transfer” system, currently in progress for Android, which would enable users to “hand off” media to a HomePod, as in the Apple ecosystem. We have also seen indications that an upcoming Nest speaker will also feature UWB hardware. It remains unclear whether the UWB support in the Pixel Tablet will be for receiving signals (tap your phone to the tablet to Cast music), sending them (tap tablet to speaker), or both.
Today’s FCC listing for the Pixel Tablet does not provide much in the way of specific device details, but it is a promising indication that the tablet will be launched soon, perhaps in the coming weeks or months. Additionally, Google is reportedly working on a “Grogu” tracker to compete with Apple’s AirTags, indicating that the company is actively expanding its hardware offerings.
Last year, during the Pixel 7 series event, Google revealed that their upcoming Pixel tablet will be accompanied by a charging dock that doubles as a smart home speaker, with a premium nanoceramic finish and thick bezels around the display. The tablet will run on Google’s in-house Tensor chipset, with a rumored 11-inch display and 256GB of onboard storage. The device is expected to come in Black and White color options, with a release date likely to be announced during this year’s Google I/O conference.
Source: FCC