Google's Pixel Tablet Is Only As Good As Its Assistant

Google has tried making cheap tablets, and it's tried making expensive ones; it's outsourced them, and it's made them in-house; it's built tablets for play and for work; it's released laptops disguised as tablets, and vice versa. In fact, Google has tried tablets so many times, in so many ways, over so many years ... that it's actually officially given up on them at least once!

But what Google hasn't tried is making a tablet that turns into a Google Nest when you put it down – until now. That's what the Pixel Tablet is trying to be, and a week after welcoming it into my own "nest," I think it’s a truly special idea. I just wish I could trust Google to stick with it.

[CORRECTION]

The Pixel Tablet will receive guaranteed Android platform updates until June 2026, and security updates through June 2028. The reason for the error: technical documentation provided with my review device stated platform support would only continue through "June 2023." MrMobile regrets the error.

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[ABOUT THIS VIDEO]

MrMobile's Google Pixel Tablet Review was produced following one week with a Pixel Tablet review sample provided by Google.

MrMobile does not accept compensation from the manufacturers of the products he reviews in exchange for producing content. No payment was provided and no manufacturer or carrier was afforded a preview, editorial input or copy approval rights concerning this review.

[MUSIC]

"Up In The Atmos" by Bellodrone [Soundstripe]:

"This Is The Way" by Dr. Delight [Soundstripe]:

"Twennysomething" by Daniele Musto [Soundstripe]:

[CHAPTERS]

00:00 Too many tablets
00:48: A simple, smart pitch
01:26 Winning hardware
02:13 Not a mobile device
04:50 Undermined by a bad "Assistant"
07:32 An easier sell if you're "Feeling Lucky"

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

#pixeltablet #pixel #tablet #google #googleassistant #smarthome #googlenest #BorrowedFromGoogle

[TheMrMobile]

[CORRECTION] The Pixel Tablet will receive guaranteed Android platform updates until June 2026, and security updates through June 2028. The reason for the error: technical documentation provided with my review device stated platform support would only continue through "June 2023." MrMobile regrets the error.

[rek]

"I just wish I could trust Google to stick with it."

I felt that in my bones.

[EarAche]

I thought the Assistant and Speaker Group issue was just me! It absolutely has deteriorated beyond usability....

[StuartKeel]

You are spot on with Google Assistant, been saying this for a while that it has gone downhill. "Play spotify... Hmm, something has gone wrong..." "Set timer... There's a glitch..." Not good yet it used to be sooo good that I wouldn't use anything else. Plus, like you said, my nest hub is playing up with freezing on the alarm clock or not even lighting up when I walk into the room like it used to, resulting in me switching off and on but even that fails sometimes... Sorry Google i won't be buying.

[razmsu]

I’m really glad you called out the connectivity issues. I’m one of the biggest Google fans out there and I believe their focus on affordable home smart devices is a great place to be. But….it definitely feels like things are slipping. As always….great video!

[JordanNeenan]

I built my smart home around Google Assistant and it has absolutely got worse. One of the reasons I invested in it was the potential it had for the future, but I have been seriously considering going back to a 'dumb home' setup. It's so frustrating.

[GregKnows]

Michael, I'm convinced that no one does it better than you. Combining visually stunning videos and quality information that I need is a consumer deciding if a product is worth my money and time. Cannot thank you enough for this comprehensive review of the pixel tablet. Keep up the great work!

[phritza]

This was worth watching for the dock in the box joke 🤣

[Superninja]

I love Lonely Island and absolutely did not expect to see In a Box featured in a Pixel tablet review but I enjoyed every second of it.

[EricGrain]

I felt like I was going crazy about the assistant feeling way worse recently. A lot of the issues you brought up I have been having as well!

[BrandonLee_]

D### in a box reference was my favorite reference you have ever made

[KG-iele]

I like the look of this, but in the UK it's £599, way too expensive sadly.

[HistoryBluff]

I feel his complaints about Google's speakers. I learned I just can't trust them for alarms anymore. They become so inconsistent

[NickLetsom]

4:51 THANK YOU for talking about this. It's driving me absolutely nuts lately. I swear I hear "Sorry, something went wrong" in my nightmares now.

[TechWithBrett]

Great video Michael. It certainly feels like the Google Assistant is on vacation and we have been left with an intern. Now that they have stripped all its features, maybe it will get back to working soon.

[Nestor_Suarez]

Great review! Better and more informative than MKBHD and Dave2D about this device and the Google Assistant not working as well anymore.

[MWM]

I totally get the frustration with google assistant, thats me with amazons alexa. Luckily since I've been using googles assistant I haven't had issues so I may try this tablet, last google tablet I had was the nexus 7, loved that thing!

[biasedthoughts]

Thanks for mentioning the issues with Assistant. I couldn't put a finger on why I enjoy my nest hubs less these days. All my lights are "made for Google" they are so inconsistent and slow to respond.

[dextercampbell]

I love how he does the premieres no other YouTubers that I know does this type of format and its so cool that it really takes a spin on a traditional upload format on this platform. love your content and please pat yourself on the back 👏👏👏💜

[JohnFrazier]

Good review and indicative of why I’m weaning myself off of dependency on the Google and Pixel ecosystem. Their pattern of half-assing and eventually abandoning big swing ideas doesn’t make me comfortable investing in them any more.