At Google’s Cloud Next 2019 conference, representatives announced that the company is developing a new device to help enterprise individuals “be productive on-the-go.”
Despite reports that Google was downsizing its staff in its laptop and tablet division, this new announcement hints that a Pixelbook or Pixel Slate product may be on the way.
According to a 9to5Google report, speakers made the announcement at a session dubbed “Introducing Google Hardware for Business” — seemingly part of Google’s Chrome Enterprise push.
A speaker at the session, Pixelbook Group product management lead Steve Jacobs’ made comments regarding the new business-focused product.
The new devices are designed to “Help the employees that are constantly on the go that have a working paradigm where 60% of them — and this is all of our [Google] employees — are working outside of their desk. And 43% of them are working remotely at least part of the time,” said Jacobs at the session.
Pixel Slate
Jacobs said that the current devices — Pixelbook and Pixel Slate — are not “conducive to the lifestyle and work style” that allows for optimum productivity.
“And we think there’s some unique things we can do differently than the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate that are going to really help give them what they’re looking for when they’re working in this new modern cloud-first era,” he added.
No timeline was provided for this potential new product launch, any announcements will not be “this week, but down the road,” said Jacobs.
The Pixelbook (from US$999) and Pixel Slate (from US$599) are not available to purchase directly from Google to Australia.
However, they are available to import via Amazon Australia. Likely, the new device — if it’s coming — will be available in the same way locally.
