Technologies

Google Pixel Tablet Review: Android Tablets Are Back

Google’s fast tablet is also a dockable home hub. Will Google commit to its tablet vision this time?

The world of Android tablets has been a weirdly up-and-down ride for the last decade or so. I remember Google’s fantastic little 7-inch Nexus tablet back in 2012. And Google’s considerably less successful Chromebook-meets-Android Pixel Slate, a sort of touchscreen laptop/tablet hybrid. That was Google’s previous tablet hardware entry.

Watch this: Google Pixel Tablet: Google Made a Good Home Android Tablet!

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The Pixel Tablet is a return to Android tablets for Google. But its competition never strayed. Samsung’s ongoing tablet series, for instance, and Amazon’s Fire tablets (which can sideload the Google Play store and are very affordable). Google’s new Pixel Tablet is hopefully a return to excellent Android tablet software and features, too: The $500 Pixel Tablet feels like a really good iPad alternative for Google ecosystem people. Google also took a unique approach by making it a dockable home hub, something Apple should steal someday for its iPad lineup.

Google Pixel Tablet

Like

Fast processor
Included speaker dock sounds great
Good front video camera

Don’t like

Price ramps up for cases and more storage
No keyboard or stylus case options

There are only two gripes I have: this Pixel Tablet, while fast-performing and really nicely built, doesn’t have a Google keyboard case at launch, nor any stylus option. This is more of a sharable tablet for the home and family than a get-work-done tablet, although you could absolutely bring your own accessories and make it what you want.

At $500, this Pixel isn’t a budget tablet and if you want to add more storage beyond the base model’s 128GB, the 256GB version is $100 more. Add another $80 for Google’s Pixel Tablet protective case. It’s a more expensive package than Apple’s entry-level iPad. But, if you’re looking for a more premium Android tablet for families than Amazon’s Fire options or Samsung’s Tab A-series, this looks like the best bet.

Design: Clean and comfy

Google’s Pixel Tablet has an iPad-like feel, with a nearly 11-inch display and a smooth aluminum case. At a bit over a pound, it’s comfortable enough to hold but leans toward the heavier side with its case on.

The screen resolution — 2,560×1,600 pixels — gives you a crisp picture, and bright, too. The side speakers are good enough on their own but not as great as what the speaker dock provides (as you might expect).

There’s no headphone jack, so you’ll need USB-C headphones or an adapter, or go Bluetooth. There is a fast-acting fingerprint sensor in the power button that unlocks the Pixel Tablet as fast as a Pixel phone. Overall, it’s what I’d want from a tablet, and it looks really good when docked. The whole design ends up feeling like a larger Google Nest Hub, or a smart picture frame.

Google’s expensive case (there are also less-expensive third-party options) is pretty great, too, with a soft finish and protective edges, and a metal, ringlike kickstand that adjusts to any angle and still docks in the speaker hub. It’s not a keyboard case, but you could add your own Bluetooth keyboard for desk typing.

The dock is great

Google includes a dock the Pixel Tablet magnetically attaches to that charges and acts as a stand so that the tablet can be a home picture frame, or smart home interface, or a connected speaker/display with YouTube benefits or whatever else you might need. The speaker-equipped dock has a fabric covering much like Google’s other home products and is small enough to pack easily for travel. Its speakers sound boomy for playing music indoors, too.

Snapping the tablet on and off the dock is relatively easy, although sometimes it’s a little hard to locate the magnetic pins, and pulling the tablet off the dock can sometimes result in pulling the lightweight dock with it. The dock charge plug and cable are also proprietary, not USB-C. The Pixel Tablet does have a USB-C port for charging, but you’ll need that specific dock cable to plug it into your home, and the cable length isn’t exactly long.

The Pixel Tablet supports casting audio from another device to the tablet when it’s connected, but the speaker dock won’t work when the Tablet isn’t mounted on it and has no Bluetooth. That’s a bit of a bummer if someone wants to use the speaker while someone else uses the tablet.

pixel-tablet-review-2 — Split-screen multitasking is just fine on this tablet, and a bunch of apps already support it.

Scott Stein/CNET

Performance and software: Speedy and improved, mostly

The Google Tensor G2 chip, similar to what’s on the most recent Pixel phones, is zippy in the tablet and generally runs well. There were a few moments where apps seemed to glitch a bit in split-screen multitasking, but that could also be due to this being a prerelease device running early software.

Google’s renewed attention to tablet software shows, with multitasking that feels like Apple’s iPadOS; apps can be easily dragged up from an app taskbar into another window, and two apps at once can be adjusted to fit on a few preset-size settings. Google’s also added a series of widgets that help customize information, which I sometimes found useful and at other times thought weren’t flexible enough.

Videos from another app, like YouTube, can pop up and hover in a small window over these split windows, too. It feels great to work in these modes, although not all apps work for the Pixel Tablet yet. Google focused on optimizing a bunch of popular apps and also its own core apps first, but hopefully more will come. There are also some Google Play apps that don’t run at all yet on Pixel Tablet, including Geekbench, which we use for testing tablets for performance comparisons.

The Tensor G2 pulls off some tricks Google has on its Pixel phones, too, notably Magic Eraser in the Photos app, which removes people or objects from shots. Dictation also works really well: I could see myself voice-typing a lot with the Pixel Tablet, even if I still miss a dedicated keyboard case (hint, hint). Google’s on-screen keyboard is fine, but I didn’t fall in love with it. I also found that a few multifinger swipe gestures got a little weird at times in apps like Google Earth. Some two-finger swipes and pinches, for instance, were not always recognized, but maybe a future software update can address that.

Nice camera

The front-facing 8-megapixel camera looked good for selfies and video chat, and looked sharper than my normal laptop-video-chat expectations. Google placed its camera on the long edge where it should be, much like Apple’s most recent 10th-gen iPad. It means this tablet can be used easily for video chat when docked. But, a subject-tracking, autoframing feature didn’t seem to work on my review unit, and video quality looked better for the moment with Google Meet than in Zoom.

google-pixel-7-tablet-11 — James Martin/CNET

Google makes extra accounts pretty easy

One other advantage of Google tablets over iPads is account-swapping. Much like a Chromebook, you can add extra accounts and switch over to others easily enough here, even entering a guest mode or a kid mode. This underlines the family-sharing concept that’s at this tablet’s core, and I like it. I could easily see the Pixel Tablet being a casual grab-a-tablet option in a living room where someone could just pick it up as needed and check a few things, watch a video or play a game.

I miss Google’s work focus on the Slate, though

I miss some of the ideas Google was going for on its previous Slate tablet, which was more of a Chromebook with Android benefits. The Pixel Slate made a keyboard and trackpad one of its big included features. This time, the Android-focused Pixel Tablet has gone the other way, toward a sharable, video-and-game-playing, app-browsing tablet, but without any great ideas for how to add a keyboard or access to ChromeOS-type features in a new, helpful way. Anyone who wants a Chromebook will still want to get a Chromebook — or a laptop. You could add a keyboard here, or a stylus, but your mileage won’t be any different than on another Android tablet. Plus, with other options from Samsung, OnePlus and Amazon, keyboard accessories are already there — or even included.

google-pixel-7-tablet-17 — There’s a USB-C port on the Pixel Tablet, even though the dock charges with its own proprietary plug and pin connector.

James Martin/CNET

Yes, it could be a home hub, too

I didn’t test the smart home features of this tablet, but you can connect Google Home devices and services just like you’d do on a Nest Hub. That’s the Pixel Tablet’s greatest success as a device, and where Google pivoted this time with its design. Voice response via its microphones was fast, and I was able to play music, ask questions, play audiobooks and launch YouTube videos quickly with voice commands. Once my kids realized this thing could play videos, they gathered around it like a small TV. It could be a great kitchen option, especially since the tablet hovers when in the dock (avoiding contact with counter surfaces). The dock angle won’t adjust beyond its slightly elevated angle, but I found it easy enough to glance at when on a table or counter.

A great start for Google’s return to tablets

Don’t stop, Google: Keep building off the Pixel Tablet, add a keyboard case, and maybe lower the price a bit (with a case and the 256GB storage option, which costs an extra $100, you’re suddenly pushing towards $700). But this is the Google tablet you’re probably looking for, despite the price. The only question is whether Google commits to its software and performance over time. Google tends to suddenly change focus on product lines, especially its tablets. But the Pixel Tablet is a great addition to its device lineup and a perfect nonphone option. Keep it around, please.

Technologies

The Duskbloods Is New FromSoftware Gaming Action Coming to Switch 2 in 2026

Talk about a surprise for the new Switch.

FromSoftware had a big day with the Switch 2 Direct. The company revealed a new game called The Duskbloods and confirmed that its smash-hit action RPG Elden Ring is coming to the new console, which launches on June 5 for $450.

The Duskbloods is exclusive to the Switch 2, which was a surprise announcement during the Switch 2 Direct. According to FromSoftware, the game is a player vs. player vs. enemy, or PvPvE, online multiplayer game similar to the developer’s upcoming Elden Ring: Nightreign.

Players will be part of the Bloodsworn, which is a group that has «transcended human strength thanks to their special blood.» Each individual will be playing against each other as well as taking on other foes.

The game features some mainstays for FromSoftware games, with a gothic tone and a focus on gore, like its popular Bloodborne game for the PS4. It does appear that characters have a few more abilities than seen in previous games from the cult developer.

The Duskbloods will release sometime in It will be released in 2026.

The Switch 2 will launch on June 5 and preorders will start on April 9 at retailers. The new console will feature plenty of third-party support, with major games like Borderlands 4, Madden and Civilization 7 coming from other publishers.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, April 3

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 3.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword has two similar clues, 5-Across and 6-Across. They both play off the same idea — using the first part of two words to make one, all food-related. I didn’t get that at first, so I struggled with those two clues. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Hit the ___ (go to bed)
Answer: SACK

5A clue: Misleading name for a sub/shish kebab restaurant?
Answer: SUSHI

6A clue: Misleading name for a taco/pasta restaurant?
Answer: TAPAS

7A clue: Certain sports bets
Answer: OVERS

8A clue: Cooped (up)
Answer: PENT

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Almost *too* sophisticated and charming
Answer: SUAVE

2D clue: Upscale Colorado skiing destination
Answer: ASPEN

3D clue: Word after bar or pie
Answer: CHART

4D clue: Smooch
Answer: KISS

5D clue: Word on an eight-sided traffic sign
Answer: STOP

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2: Everything We Know About the Console, New Games, Release Date

The $450 console will get Mario Kart World at launch, 4K gaming when docked, Switch 2 Edition game enhancements and new mouse controls.

The Nintendo Switch 2 console’s biggest reveal yet arrived Wednesday morning as part of the company’s Nintendo Direct event. This teed up a day of Switch 2 reveals that include its June 5 release date, a $450 price, its specs, and its initial game lineup that extends from launch into 2026.

The console will be further buoyed by having Mario Kart World as a launch title, which will go on sale in either a $500 bundle with the Switch 2 or on its own for $80 — making the open-world racing game one of Nintendo’s most expensive yet. Other games announced, such as Donkey Kong Bananza, are being priced around $70, which matches the cost of 2023’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That Zelda game and Breath of the Wild are among the original Switch titles that will get enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades, a premium upgrade allowing players to get new features, modes and graphical enhancements that take advantage of the newer system’s capabilities.

Here are the top highlights from Nintendo’s console event, all of the games we’ve heard about so far (including new titles, Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles and GameCube games coming to Nintendo Switch Online) and all of our coverage so far. You can also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 live blog for even more updates about the Switch 2 as we learn them.

Nintendo Switch 2 console

The Nintendo Switch 2’s specs saw a noticeable technical bump over the Switch. The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch, 1080p resolution LCD that supports a 120Hz refresh rate — matching what we now see on most Android phones. When the Switch 2 is docked, compatible games can run in 4K resolution. The new dock also includes a cooling fan.

The Switch 2 comes with 256GB of internal storage, and the new Switch 2 Game Cards will load games faster. For digital libraries, however, the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards, which are different from the microSD cards that are compatible with the prior Nintendo Switch. Nintendo will have a Software Transfer feature available to help move games and data from the original Switch to the Switch 2.

The new Joy-Con for the controllers will support mouse controls, and a new C button will be part of a new GameChat communication feature that allows both voice and video chat. There’s also a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing players to see each other.

The Switch 2 also adds a second USB-C port to the top of the system, which Nintendo says can help connect its new camera accessory or charge the console when playing in tabletop mode. Nintendo also revealed a new Switch 2 Pro Controller with the C button and customizable GL and GR buttons on the back.

Following the presentation, Nintendo unveiled the system’s price of $450 in the US. It will also sell the Switch 2 bundled with a digital version of Mario Kart World for $500.

Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World removes its traditional boundaries and lets drivers roam freely across an entire world of race courses. The game will get its own Nintendo Direct later this month, where we’ll see additional details, but we already know it’ll include traditional races and a Free Roam mode, much like in the Forza Horizon series.

Getting the game bundled for an extra $50 on the cost of the Switch 2 might be the move if you are interested in the game, because Nintendo announced on its website that standalone copies of Mario Kart World will cost $80.

Joy-Con 2 C button and GameChat

Nintendo’s rolling out its new C button across several new Switch 2 controllers. The button will be used for the new GameChat communication features without a headset. The button will be used alongside a microphone on the console itself, which Nintendo says can be used whether it’s docked to a TV or in handheld mode.

In its teaser video, Nintendo promises the microphone will be able to cancel out loud background noises. GameChat will also work with a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, allowing video chat and various camera-based game modes in supported titles. GameChat will be free at launch through March 31, 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games upgrade titles

The Nintendo Switch 2 will play three types of games: original Switch games, Switch 2 games and Switch 2 Edition games that will receive substantial enhancements. For many of these Switch 2 Edition games, you’ll need to buy an upgrade pack if you own the original for Switch. Many of them will get more than just enhanced graphics in the upgrade; for example, Super Mario Party Jamboree will get new games that support the new Joy-Cons’ mouse controls, audio recognition and video camera gameplay options through the Switch 2 Camera.

Other Nintendo Switch games that are getting Switch 2 Edition options include The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Enhancements vary: The Zelda games will start working with a companion phone app for maps and sending schematics to friends, while Kirby will get a new story that’s exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. On the third-party side, Civilization 7 will get mouse controls.

Nintendo did not announce what upgrade packs will cost. However, some Switch games will get free updates that will improve performance or enhance features when playing them on the Switch 2. The Switch games getting these updates include:

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a new game set in the world of Zelda that tells the story that leads into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This appears to be similar to how Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity told the story of a war that led to the events of Breath of the Wild. The teaser shows Zelda discovering that she’s arrived in the past of Hyrule, and the game will expand on how she gets involved in the corresponding Imprisonment War.

Nintendo Switch 2 games

Several other first- and third-party games were spotlighted during the Switch 2 Direct. These include Donkey Bananza, one of the first 3D platforming games featuring DK since 1999’s Donkey Kong 64. Kirby will also return to the racing genre in Kirby Air Riders, which comes more than 20 years after the GameCube racer Kirby’s Air Ride. DragXDrive will use mouse controls to control a futuristic wheelchair basketball game in which players will simulate push and pull motions to control their character.

An onslaught of Switch 2 third-party games were quickly shuffled through during the Direct, which I list below. An unnamed James Bond game is in development at Hitman studio IO Interactive, as is a darker title from Elden Ring creator FromSoftware called The Duskbloods, which will be exclusive to the Switch 2.

The full list of announced Nintendo Switch 2 games includes:

Borderlands 4
Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion
Deltarune
Donkey Kong Bananza
Drag x Drive
EA Sports FC
EA Sports Madden NFL
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition
Enter the Gungeon 2
Fast Fusion
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
Fortnite
Hades 2
Hitman World of Assassination — Signature Edition
Hogwarts Legacy
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Kirby Air Riders
Kirby and the Forgotten Land — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Star-Crossed World
Kunitsu-Gai: Path of the Goddess
Mario Kart World
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
NBA 2K
Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening Complete Edition
Pokemon Legends: Z-A — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Project 007
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Split Fiction
Star Wars Outlaws
Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions
Street Fighter 6
Super Mario Party Jamboree — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Jamboree TV
Survival Kids
The Duskbloods
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 and 4
WWE 2K
Yakuza 0 Definitive Edition

Among these titles, you can see the full list of June 5 Switch 2 launch day games here.

Nintendo GameCube library coming to Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch Online game library will add GameCube games to the Switch 2. On launch day, these games will initially include The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur 2 and F-Zero GX, with each game getting enhanced graphics. Online multiplayer will also be added to certain titles. Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Strikers and Luigi’s Mansion are among the games set to arrive later. At launch, Nintendo will also sell a GameCube controller, which will be wireless and include a C button for GameChat.