Skip to main content

Google Pixel C tablet team AMA reveals a lot about upcoming developments

Google’s Pixel C is its first step into the tablet hardware game and it’s a hotly competitive one, so any moves the search giant makes there are going to need to be precise. While it’s debatable whether this first entry is as strong as Google might have hoped, the team who developed it is very enthusiastic about it, and they told us a lot about the future of the little device in a recent Reddit AMA.

The Ask me Anything thread featured Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior VP of Android and ChromeOS; Andrew Bowers, consumer hardware director; Glen Murphy, Chrome and Android UX director; Kevin Tom, the Pixel C’s product manager; Puneet Kumar, software developer; and Benson Leung, software engineer. Although Bowers was the main mouth piece, all members chimed in at various points with their different takes on questions from the audience.

Recommended Videos

The questioned started off with an inquiry as to why the Pixel C seemed to be missing certain features that have become quite typical for these sorts of tablet 2-in-1s, like “Ok Google,” hotword support and the double-tap-to-wake function. While the former was intended for an update in the future we were told, the latter was simply too draining on the battery.

One of the biggest gripes people have with the Pixel C is its lack of multi-window support, which lets users run more than one application on the screen at any one time. This is the sort of functionality that Windows users have enjoyed forever, so it makes sense that people would want it on their Android device too.

The team said it’s a feature it’s currently working on, but didn’t have a time frame for when it might be completed. The responder also said the Pixel team would continue to work with app developers to try and make more Android apps fit the device, rather than just re-hash smartphone apps.

As the team pointed out, it is a bit of a chicken and egg scenario. Until developers get on board, other hardware makers will hold back from the smaller form-factor tablets, and vice versa.

The Pixel C  took a lot of flak from Redditors who weren’t satisfied with their responses, and in some cases lack thereof. While a lot of questions went unanswered – many would consider them the tougher questions, too – even simple questions like, “what devices do you use?” merely elicited the response that they all work with the Pixel C a lot.

In another instance, a Redditor asked if there would “ever be a Pixel C form factor device running Chrome OS made by Google?”

“Chrome OS runs on multiple form factors now, for example the Asus Flip and Chromebit,” read the response. “We’re always looking at new, interesting form factors.”

Another Redditor quickly chimed in, calling that another “great non-answer.”

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…
Google rolls out pulse loss detection to Pixel Watch 3 users
Pulse detect on Pixel watch 3

Google has begun rolling out its Loss of Pulse Detection feature to Pixel Watch 3 owners in the United States. This potentially life-saving feature uses the watch's optical heart rate sensors to detect if the wearer's pulse ceases at any point. That can include instances like cardiac arrest or other heart-related abnormalities. When these issues are detected, the watch can automatically contact emergency services should the wearer become unresponsive. The rollout is gradual, with availability expected to reach all users over the next few weeks.

Initially announced alongside the Pixel Watch 3 in August 2024, the feature was already available in several European countries. However, its US debut required clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being released which was granted in late February 2025. Now that it's headed out to new and old Pixel Watch 3 owners, now might be a good time to invest in one should be looking for an alternative to the smartwatch you might currently be wearing.

Read more
Google Pixel Watch now gives you scam protection right on your wrist
A person sitting down and wearing the Google Pixel Watch 2.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 and 3 are already among the best smartwatches, but now, Google decked them out with another handy feature. Google is adding Scam Detection to its watches, enhancing security without making you pull your phone out of your pocket.

We all deal with scam calls on a regular basis, and Google's Scam Detection is just one way tech companies try to combat the nuisance (and safety hazard) of these calls. This tool listens to calls and uses AI to detect conversation patterns that scammers have been known to use. If something sounds shady, Scam Detection will send you a notification accompanied by a sound and vibration.

Read more
Pixel users, beware: A Google Assistant bug can disable your alarms
Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

A Google Assistant bug is causing chaos with Do Not Disturb profiles and causing users to miss alarms, appointments, and more. The bug was first reported on Reddit earlier today by u/Rawalanche, who claimed it started when Pixel received new Do Not Disturb modes.

Their report states that any non-standard DnD profile, such as one that allows calls from only certain contacts or specific applications, will only work if you activate it through the Settings menu or the notification menu. If you request the DnD profile with Google Assistant, it does not activate and instead mutes everything on the phone.

Read more