Google believes ‘Android tablets’ are the ‘future of computing’

At some point in the past year, Google appears to have conceived a new “Android Tablet” initiative. In fact, one of Android’s co-founders rejoined the OS team to be part of that effort.

In the job listing for “Senior Technical Manager, Android Tablet App Experience,“Google has the following to say:

We believe the future of computing is moving towards more powerful and capable tablets. We’re working to deliver the next chapter of computing and input by launching seamless support across our platforms and heroic experiences that help usher in new and better ways to be productive. productive and creative.

Even in terms of recruiting, the first line makes a very bold statement. Another pair belong to list points out “Android Tablets” as a specific initiative within Google. This team is tasked with working closely with OEMs and app developers, as well as the Android operating system. In fact, Android co-founder Rich Miner has rejoined the operating systems division – as spotted by JR Raphael at Computerworld – after working at GV (Alphabet’s venture capital firm) and educational project at Google around 2016.

As the Product Management Manager of Android Tablets, you will collaborate with potential customers across Android, Platforms and Ecosystems, and cross-product area teams. You’ll also work closely and collaborate with OEMs that make Android Tablets and the developers who build apps for them. You will be the direction, strategy and long-term roadmap for Android tablets.

Director, Product Manager, Android Tablet

Miner joins Android Tablets in March 2021, with efforts likely to start before then. During that time, Google tablet developments included Entertainment space (seen above) and Children’s space media launcher. Of course, there’s also Android 12L, a version of the operating system for large-screen devices with specific user interface optimizations, due out next month. Google also encourages developers to update their apps.

This renewed interest in the form factor comes as Chrome OS is largely seen as Google’s main attempt in the space with Chromebook tablets from Lenovo and HP. Google is currently taking a parallel approach, albeit with a lot of overlap, with Chrome OS running the Play Store and Android apps.

The effort seems to primarily involve third-party OEMs with no current indication that Google’s hardware division is planning a tablet. Google in the 2010s had two generations of Nexus 7 tablets, as well as the Nexus 10 and then the Nexus 9. There’s also the Pixel C, which is rumored to also run Chrome OS. There are no current rumors of such a tablet, with Google being scrapped only to produce a Tensor-enabled Chromebook. in 2023.

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