We've compiled a 'Top 10' list of our favorite iOS apps to hit the App Store in May 2017. The apps highlighted in this video include Google Assistant, Fidget Spinner, Audm, Starry, Fastlane: Road to Revenge, Blink, Punchline, Sleep Orbit, Hanx Writer, and Jeopardy: World Tour. Which app is your favorite?
Today’s the day that the BlackBerry KEYone officially arrives in the US.
The BlackBerry KEYone today launched at Amazon and Best Buy. There are two unlocked models of the KEYone: a GSM model for AT&T and T-Mobile and a CDMA model for Verizon. The former is being sold by Amazon and Best Buy, while the latter is only at Amazon for now. Pricing for the KEYone is $549.99.
Unfortunately, the KEYone is sold out at both Amazon and Best Buy as of this post. Steve Cistulli, president of TCL (who manufactures the KEYone), says that demand is “extremely high”. The good news is that TCL is working with its retail partners to refill stock of the KEYone ASAP.
If you’d like to keep an eye on the KEYone product pages for stock to be refilled, you can find the device at right here at Amazon and here at Best Buy.
It’s also worth noting that Sprint will sell the BlackBerry KEYone, too. That launch is planned for this summer.
The last time that we saw Microsoft announce a new flagship smartphone was the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL reveal back in October 2015. It doesn’t appear that that’s going to change any time soon, but a new leak is giving us a look at what a new Microsoft flagship could’ve looked like.
Images of what’s rumored to be a Lumia 950 successor have leaked. Reportedly codenamed Northstar, this “Lumia 960” is said to feature front-facing speakers, a Quad HD display, and a 20-megapixel PureView camera with triple LED flash. The device is also said to have an aluminum rear shell, and inside of it allegedly lives a Snapdragon 820 processor.
This device has been canceled by Microsoft, says Windows Central, but it’s still used inside the company as an engineering prototype for Windows 10 Mobile.
This Northstar phone could’ve made for a nice successor to the Lumia 950, offering an upgrade processor, front-facing speakers, and an aluminum design that would offer a premium look and feel. Since the phone has been given the axe, though, we’ll just have to settle for ogling it in leaked photos like these while we wait to see if those rumors of a Surface Phone come to fruition.
What do you think of this leaked Lumia 950 successor? Would you have considered buying it if it actually came to market?
The last time that we saw Microsoft announce a new flagship smartphone was the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL reveal back in October 2015. It doesn’t appear that that’s going to change any time soon, but a new leak is giving us a look at what a new Microsoft flagship could’ve looked like.
Images of what’s rumored to be a Lumia 950 successor have leaked. Reportedly codenamed Northstar, this “Lumia 960” is said to feature front-facing speakers, a Quad HD display, and a 20-megapixel PureView camera with triple LED flash. The device is also said to have an aluminum rear shell, and inside of it allegedly lives a Snapdragon 820 processor.
This device has been canceled by Microsoft, says Windows Central, but it’s still used inside the company as an engineering prototype for Windows 10 Mobile.
This Northstar phone could’ve made for a nice successor to the Lumia 950, offering an upgrade processor, front-facing speakers, and an aluminum design that would offer a premium look and feel. Since the phone has been given the axe, though, we’ll just have to settle for ogling it in leaked photos like these while we wait to see if those rumors of a Surface Phone come to fruition.
What do you think of this leaked Lumia 950 successor? Would you have considered buying it if it actually came to market?
Recent mobile headlines may have you pulling a Jumanji and frantically asking “What year is it?” as brands like BlackBerry and Nokia reveal some of their latest creations. The BlackBerry KEYone officially released today in the U.S. and Canada, but Nokia also announced via Twitter that their newest smartphones are slated to release “by the end of June”.
Nokia, once one of the biggest brands in mobile, fizzled out after opting to go with Windows Phone rather than Android, which ended up being bad news for Nokia, but oddly enough the Nokia brand was probably the only thing keeping Windows Phone afloat for as long as it did. Things went downhill when Microsoft acquired Nokia’s phone assets back in 2013 and streamlined the Nokia Lumia into the Microsoft Lumia. After licensing the handset brand from Microsoft and striking some deals with Google and Foxconn, Nokia reentered the smartphone market once again earlier this year with the Nokia 3, 5, and 6. All three devices range between low-end to mid-range, and Nokia has yet to unveil a true flagship.
Although unconfirmed, the hope is that will change by the end of June.
Nokia is one of the few companies that doesn’t appear to have many solid leaks regarding upcoming devices, and this latest Nokia device doesn’t seem to be any different. Names like Nokia P1, Nokia 8, and Nokia 9 have floated around for some time, but nothing seems concrete (with the exception of the Nokia 3310 reboot). As such, it can be fun to speculate what, exactly, Nokia’s next handset might be like.
Personally, I’m hoping for a touch of Nokia’s direction with Windows Phone. I distinctly remember thinking that its bright colors and plastic build was somewhat tacky, but after owning a couple myself, I absolutely fell in love with the look and feel of their Lumia line. Its bright and bold color scheme in a typical sea of black, white, and silver offerings was refreshing, and its “tanky” polycarbonate build may not have looked premium, but my Lumia devices were one of the select few smartphones I ever felt comfortable using without a case.
Nokia’s Lumias were also well-known for a couple of other traits, such as their excellent cameras with Carl Zeiss lenses and being among the first smartphones to support wireless charging, a feature that I still consider important if, for nothing else, to serve as a backup method of charging.
Aside from its notoriously tanky reputation, most of those revered features in the Nokia Lumia devices have since been adopted by other smartphones: more colors are offered now, although still typically not as bold, and wireless charging appears to be more common than not. Cameras are exceptionally competitive across the board for flagships. Despite those features becoming common, though, I still think there’s room for Nokia to make a name for itself once again in the smartphone space, even among highly competitive flagships, if that happens to be the case.
Honestly, I feel that Nokia has very little work to do to make its name stand out once again. A tanky and bold build is a given expectation, but outside of that, I feel that Nokia could succeed by adding these key features as well: long battery life, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD support, bold colors, wireless charging, waterproofing, 4GB of RAM, and a competitive rear-facing camera. Additionally, I think people would absolutely flip their lid if Nokia brought back removable batteries, but considering the 3, 5, and 6 all feature non-removable batteries, I’m not holding my breath over that one.
I think Nokia would do best by making a more modest flagship with some sacrifices made to the processor and price tag, similar to the BlackBerry KEYone. I don’t think competing directly with Samsung and Apple at the moment would work well, but I think the brand’s reputation is still solid enough to make some headway, at least.
Of course, all of this is just speculation. I myself am pretty much sold on the BlackBerry KEYone as my next device if I decide to upgrade, but I would still love to see Nokia make a successful comeback.
Readers, what are your hopes for the next Nokia device? Are you holding out until the end of June to see what they come up with? Let us know in the comments below!
The smart speaker space is heating up, with Amazon and Google already on the market and Essential coming soon. And according to a new report, Apple will be joining the competition soon, too.
Apple has started production on a smart speaker powered by Siri and it could announce the device as soon as WWDC next week, say sources speaking to Bloomberg. However, the speaker may not be ready to ship to consumers until later in 2017.
Apple will reportedly focus on the speaker’s sound quality as a way to help it stand out from competition like Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Home. Apple’s device will reportedly offer virtual surround sound and advanced acoustics technologies, and the speakers that Apple is currently testing are said to be louder and crisper than competing products.
Other rumored features of this Apple smart speaker include integration with smart home devices that support Apple’s HomeKit, giving users control over lights, door locks and more. Apple may also let third-party services build products for its speaker.
If Apple is indeed planning to introduce its smart speaker at WWDC, it’s possible that the company hopes to launch the device at its annual fall iPhone event and give developers a few months’ time to build apps for it. As for the speaker itself, a focus on high-quality audio could be a good way to help it stand out. While the Amazon Echo and Google Home can play music, they aren’t considered to be high-quality speakers, so Apple could use improved sound quality as a differentiator since many folks use these speakers in places like the kitchen.
Does the Apple smart speaker described in today’s report interest you?
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) provides accredited certification for IT professionals who want to master Linux. Its LPIC-1: System Administrator course is the first step to proving you can administer Linux systems.
While technically you can go to the LPI website to purchase learning materials and register for the exam, Firebrand Training offers a way to become a certified administrator in less than a week through its 'accelerated learning' program.
Firebrand is distinctive in that unlike other Linux training courses, you pay to stay at an exam centre for an intense six-day period, at the end of which you will take the examination. Learning is classroom-based with a dedicated instructor. Your accommodation, meals, tuition, study materials and certificates are included in the fee for the course which is currently £4,650 including VAT (around AU$8,000).
The Firebrand website also points out that traditional study days are 9:00 to 17:00 with a ‘nice long break for lunch’, whereas Firebrand training days are 12 hours long, maximising your time with the instructor.
Firebrand also emphasises this by showing a promotional video explaining the disadvantages of an employer paying for a less expensive course, as a Firebrand trainee will be back at their desk in a matter of days.
For those readers willing to give up their nice long lunch breaks, assuming you're within travelling distance of an exam centre, you'll either need to cover the large course fee out of your own pocket or persuade your employer to stump up the readies. The website itself lists when training sessions are available and you can book online in advance.
If your employer does agree to cover the cost of an intensive LPI (Level 1) course, Firebrand claims they'll be joining the ranks of big-name companies such as Barclays, IBM and Vodafone. This seems to be more than name-dropping as Firebrand has won a number of awards for its courses.
Businesses who register with Firebrand also receive a certain number of free training days and discounted rates for their employees using 'Firebrand Passport', although it's not clear from the website whether this applies specifically to the LPI (Level 1) course.
Firebrand clearly has great confidence in its courses as shown by a 'Certification Guarantee'. This promises trainees that if they don't pass exams the first time, they can resit them for free, provided they’re willing to pay the extra accommodation costs. This is in contrast to taking an exam directly with the LPI, which requires the payment of a fee (currently around $155 – about £120, AU$210) to register for a resit each time.
The website also promises that course instructors have industry experience, although you'll have to take their word for it as unlike other courses reviewed by TechRadar, this organisation doesn’t list any names or qualifications.
Firebrand also doesn't mention the LPI Essentials course, available via Linux Academy. This is designed as basic training in the fundamentals of Linux, for those who have little or no experience. Firebrand in fact specifically states that there are no prerequisites to undertake LPC-1 training but there is a free practice test for those who don't feel confident.
Although the Firebrand website doesn't specify the exact LPC-1 syllabus, you can find details of this on the LPI website. The course itself is divided into three parts: the first covers system architecture, which in plain English means you'll learn how to detect and configure computer hardware.
This involves using various command line utilities such as 'lsusb' to list connected devices, as well as detailing where to find information about hardware such as examining the '/dev' folder.
The second section examines the Linux boot process. Trainees are given an overview of the boot loader and system kernel, in addition to a summary of the boot process overall. This section of the training also touches on using the system log to check boot events, which is extraordinarily useful for error checking. Firebrand also promises to cover backing up and restoration of data.
The final section of the course is the most complex, focusing on changing the default runlevel or boot target. This includes booting into the console rather than the graphical desktop as well as examining how to properly terminate processes.
The LPIC-1 course itself will give any employee a knowledge of the fundamentals of system administration and also open new doors to learning through the more advanced LPIC-2 (Certified Linux Engineer) and LPIC-3 (Linux Enterprise Professional) qualifications, which you can also obtain through Firebrand.
The question you need to ask yourself is whether you wish to obtain this certification through Firebrand training. If you feel you’d benefit from an intense learning environment with a real instructor, the choice is clear.
The cost of having a dedicated learning centre where trainees come to sleep, eat and learn 12 hours a day from a paid instructor is understandably higher than simply watching training videos online. However, Firebrand courses are so much more expensive compared to the cost of buying the study materials yourself (around $300 – about £235, AU$400) and sitting the LPIC-1 exam (around $155 – about £120, AU$210), that you can save thousands by learning in your own time.
Firebrand does, however, seem to offer more on its course than the syllabus outlined on the LPI website. For instance, the organisation claims you'll also learn to install and configure workstations, then connect them to a LAN, or the internet. As mentioned above, there's no additional fee to resit the exam if you fail to pass the first time. The large course fees can also be discounted via 'Firebrand Passport' as we've previously discussed.
The level of support from Firebrand is also excellent. Aside from allowing you to learn with a dedicated instructor, any queries sent to the website are answered promptly – in our experience within 24 hours.
Ultimately whether or not Firebrand training is right for you is a decision to make based on your learning style and what your employer is willing to pay for.
Motorola has a surprise for us this week.
Motorola Canada has revealed that it’s announcing “the next bold phone from Motorola” tomorrow, June 1st. The company announced the news on Twitter, but it hasn’t given any other details about which device will debut.
Guess what?! We’re announcing the next bold phone from Motorola on June 1st. http://pic.twitter.com/SCyEkNtPza
— Motorola Canada (@Moto_CAN) May 30, 2017
We’ve seen quite a few unannounced Moto phones leak out in recent months, including the Moto Z2, Moto Z2 Play, Moto Z2 Force, and Moto G5S. That makes it tough to guess which hardware Moto Canada will announce tomorrow, but the good news is that we’ve only got around 24 hours to wait before this mystery will be solved.
What do you think Moto will announce tomorrow?
Google teased earlier this month that Android Pay would be coming soon to Canada, and now it looks like the service is ready to launch.
Android Pay is starting its rollout in Canada today, May 31st. Google will be adding support for top banks in Canada over the coming days, with support for more features, banks, and stores launching in the coming months.
To start, Android Pay will be gaining support for eligible Visa and MasterCard credit cards from BMO Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Banque Nationale, Scotiabank, Desjardins, President’s Choice Financial, ATB Financial, and Canadian Tire Financial Services in Canada, as well as prepaid Scotiabank and Desjardins cards. Support for Interac debit cards will start rolling out on Monday, and support for American Express and cards and Tangerine will come this summer.
Google is also teaming up with payment platforms, processors, and tech providers like Moneris, Bambora, Chase, Cybersource, First Data, Global Payments, Paysafe, WorldPay and Stripe.
When it comes to stores, Android Pay users in Canada will be able to visit Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Petro-Canada, McDonald’s, Indigo, Pizza Pizza, Sears Canada, Telus, Rogers, and Freedom Mobile stores and use their phone to make payments. Android Pay will also be supported in apps like 1-800-Flowers, Atom, B&H, DoorDash, Fancy, Hotel Tonight, Lululemon, PayRange, Ritual, Shopify, and Uber.
To use Android Pay, you’ll need an Android device that’s running 4.4 KitKat or higher and also includes NFC support. You’ll then need to install the Android Pay app from the Play Store.
Android Pay is a nice feature to have, letting you leave your wallet in your pocket or purse and simply tapping your phone to a terminal to pay. Android Pay originally launched in the US in September 2015, and since then we’ve seen it expand to other places like the UK and Hong Kong. Now Android Pay is launching in Canada, and it’s good to see Google continuing to expand its mobile payment service to major parts of the globe.
Over the years, the 15-inch gaming laptop has become the sweet spot for gamers, and the Alienware 15 has been a top choice for its design and powerful specs. The 15-inch size is big enough to enjoy games on a built-in display while not being too cumbersome to carry around.
With the latest third-generation model, the Alienware 15 R3 offers incremental bumps in specs with relatively unchanged design. New for this year’s model are Intel’s latest Kaby Lake processors and Nvidia’s new graphics chips that are as powerful as their desktop counterparts.
But today, the Alienware 15 R3 is up against stiff competition from the likes of Origin with its compact EVO15-S and the even slimmer Razer Blade (2016). While the Alienware 15 R3 can’t match the size and weight of its competitors, it can more than keep pace in terms of pure performance.
The Alienware 15 R3 is available now with a starting price of $1,100 (£1,349) but can be configured up to a whopping $2,050 (£1,849), with options for more storage and RAM that will further bump up the price. In fact, configured with triple storage drives (including two 1TB SSDs and a 1TB HDD) and 32GB of memory, the Alienware 15 R3 came out to a ridiculous $3,500 (about £2,737).
The Alienware 15 R3 is by no means a cheap laptop but its configurability lets you choose the options that you value the most. However, the processor choices are limited to the latest Intel Kaby Lake Core i5-7300HQ or Core i7-7700HQ. For graphics, you can choose between the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, 1060 or 1070.
The Alienware 15 R3 is a striking laptop, thanks to its imposing size and RGB LEDs that are just about everywhere on the laptop. Seriously though, just about everything on this laptop lights up from the Alienware text, logo and even the trackpad.
While the Alienware 15 R3 is unabashedly a gaming laptop it doesn’t beat you over the head with superfluous fins, red accents or overly aggressive design. We found the laptop handsome with its metal, plastic and rubber construction.
Although the Alienware 15 R3 sports a 15.6-inch screen, its size is more fit for a 17-inch with beefy bezels around the display. The bottom display bezel is particularly large and houses the light-up Alienware logo. Compared to the Origin EVO15-S, which also has a 15.6-inch screen, the Alienware looks like a laptop from the early aughts in terms of size and weight.
Speaking of weight, you’ll want to hit the gym if you plan on taking the Alienware 15 R3 anywhere. The laptop weighs in at a whopping 7.69 lbs (3.49kg) and its massive power brick adds a couple of more pounds in your backpack.
The pay off for that big size and weight is great thermal performance and a spacious, 10-keyless keyboard. While some may miss having a numberpad, the spacious keyboard makes typing a pleasure, and there are macro keys for gaming which can be configured in software.
You can configure the laptop’s slew of RGB LEDs via the AlienFX software. There are presets that look great but you can customize every LED to your liking to match your peripherals or even team colors.
Looking at the top of the display, you’ll notice the dual cameras for Windows Hello support and Tobii eye tracking. Windows Hello works great for quickly unlocking the laptop without ever having to type a password. Tobii eye tracking works fine as well, which we’ll get into more in the performance section.
Our top-of-the-line Alienware 15 R3 is, unsurprisingly, a beast of a performer. The laptop flew through every benchmark we threw at it without any thermal throttling. The large size and efficient fans of the Alienware made sure the laptop could run at 100% all the time.
For those concerned about noise, the Alienware 15 R3 gets loud at full load but doesn’t exhibit the high pitch wail of a thinner laptop, like the Origin EVO15-S. It’s not quiet by any means, but the Alienware is far from the loudest gaming laptop we’ve heard.
While the Origin EVO15-S we tested came configured with the same i7-7700HQ processor, our Alienware 15 R3 came with a more powerful NVIDIA GTX 1070. Graphics performance between the two laptops is readily apparent, with the Alienware pump out higher graphics benchmark scores everywhere.
The NVIDIA GTX 1070 is a beast of a GPU and played every game without problem on the laptop’s Full-HD screen. Our Alienware 15 R3 was configured with a 120Hz display with G-Sync support, making every game look buttery smooth. We were seriously impressed with both the graphics card and display on the Alienware.
The only game that brought the Alienware 15 R3 to its knees was Deux Ex: Mankind Divided running with Ultra settings. The laptop managed a slideshow-like 16 frames per second (fps).
Dial back the graphics to high, and the laptop maintains an acceptable 50 fps on average.
As for Windows Hello and the Tobii eye tracking, both work well but with lower accuracy than other laptops. We ran into a problem where the Alienware 15 R3 could only recognize our face at a very specific distance; too far or too close and the camera wouldn’t register our face. Contrast that to other laptops like the Microsoft Surface Book recognized faces immediately from various angles and distances
Tobii eye tracking works well for games like The Division but ends up being somewhat distracting. Thankfully, you can turn it off.
Battery life for the Alienware 15 R3 is average for a gaming laptop with around three to four hours of use. The laptop managed 3 hours and 13 minutes in our PCMark 8 battery life test and survived 4 hours and 4 minutes looping Guardians of the Galaxy at half brightness. You’ll be able to do some work at the local cafe, but you’ll want to bring your charger whenever you leave home.
One thing to note is that the Alienware’s plethora of LEDs result in a hit to battery life, so you’ll want to disable them in the AlienFX software if you want to stretch your longevity. Sure, people won’t see how much of a pro gamer you are without the light show, but that’s the price you have to pay for a little more battery life.
While the Alienware 15 R3’s display may only offer 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, it’s more than enough for gaming on the go. We never feel like we need higher resolution to enjoy gaming on the 15.6-inch display. Alienware offers a 3,840 x 2,160 (UHD) display in its highest price configuration in the US and as a £200 option in the UK, but we feel that resolution is overkill for gaming on the go.
Where the display really shines in with its 120Hz refresh rate and G-SYNC support. By doubling the refresh rate of a typical laptop display, games look buttery smooth, which helps with games that require quick reaction times. The display made playing Dirt Rally a pleasure, and the powerful GTX 1070 never dropped a frame – even with settings maxed out.
You should note that the Alienware 15 R3 comes standard with a Full HD, 60Hz panel but you can opt for the 120Hz panel for an additional $150 (£120), which we think is worth it.
Last but not least, the Alienware 15 R3 only comes with anti-glare, non-touch displays, making it possible to use the display outdoors. The optional 120Hz display also gets up to 400 nits, so it’s no problem using the laptop near a window or outside.
The Alienware 15 R3 is a beast of a laptop in terms of performance and physicality. We love how solid the laptop feels and its understated design, for a gaming laptop anyway. The size may be an issue for those who hope to take their laptops on the go frequently, but for those who are usually stationary, the Alienware 15 R3 is an excellent choice.
For gaming, the spacious keyboard is excellent and features a row of configurable macro keys. Alienware’s lighting software is intimidating to use at first but allows for a ton of customization.
The best part is that the Alienware 15 R3 just flies through any game. The Nvidia GTX 1070 is massively powerful, especially for playing games at 1080p. The 120Hz and G-Sync capable display is also a highlight of the system.
There’s no getting around the fact that the Alienware 15 R3 is a brick compared to slimmer laptops, like the Razer Blade (2016) and Origin EVO15-S. The Alienware is not a laptop you can take on the go without serious consideration (and frequent gym visits). The 15 R3 is not a laptop for the road warrior.
Battery life is about average for a laptop of this segment, but you shouldn’t stray far from an outlet, as the battery drains quickly even when doing light tasks like web browsing and word processing.
In terms of value, the Alienware 15 R3 is quite expensive, especially in the more powerful configurations. We think the middle configurations hit a sweet spot for price versus performance. Companies like MSI offer thin and light gaming notebooks but for a price. The Alienware sacrifices portability for some cost savings but the excellent thermal performance will please discerning gamers.
The Alienware 15 R3 is not a gaming laptop for everyone. Its big and heavy size and expensive, top-of-the-line configurations will turn a lot of gamers away. But, for those who stay stationary most of the time, the 15 R3 is an excellent laptop.
Gaming performance is impressive, and we enjoy the Alienware’s tank-like build. Thermal performance is excellent, allowing the Alienware 15 R3 to run at 100% for extended periods without losing a beat. We were equally impressed by the optional 120Hz Full-HD display that made games look buttery smooth.
If you like the design of the Alienware 15 R3 and don’t mind its bulk, you’re going to be very happy with its performance, display and build quality.
In the days before the Galaxy S8 was released, Samsung confirmed that the phone’s Bixby Voice feature wouldn’t be available at launch. Now more details on the Bixby Voice delay have surfaced.
Samsung’s Bixby Voice feature is unlikely to launch in the US until at least late June, say sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal. One tipster adds that the reason for the delay is that Bixby is have issues understanding English syntax and grammar.
Bixby Voice lets you perform actions in select apps using just your voice. Samsung previously said that it would launch Bixby Voice in the US “later this spring”, and that’s still a possibility since spring lasts until June 20.
Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners in the US aren’t totally Bixby-less, as they’ve still got access to features like Bixby Home (shown above), which provides at-a-glance info about things like your schedule and news, as well as Bixby Vision, a feature that uses the GS8’s camera to do things like identify products and help you buy them. Bixby Voice is still a major part of the Bixby experience, though, so here’s to hoping that Samsung can get the future out to US consumers soon.
Update: The Google Pixel C has a new software update, and some new competition in the iPad Pro 9.7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. We've updated our Pixel C review to reflect these developments.
The Pixel C was launched a little half-heartedly by Google during its Nexus 5X and 6P event back in October 2015, and since then it's seen some serious rivals show up in the form of the iPad Pro 9.7 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.
It may be starting to show its age, but a recent software update to Android 7 Nougat has managed to keep it relevant.
The Pixel C was a new venture for Google, being the first tablet designed and built by the search giant.
Previous 'Google' slates sporting the Nexus brand were been made by Asus and HTC; this time round, though, Google's had total control over every aspect, shaping the device specifically for Android.
The 10.2-inch, 2560 x 1800 display and premium metal build means the Pixel C sits comfortably at the top end of the tablet market, bridging the gap between the Nexus slates and Google's Chromebook Pixel laptop.
It attempts to bridge that gap with a clever keyboard dock which transforms the Pixel C from a standard Android tablet into a hybrid laptop.
At launch you could pick up the Google Pixel C in two storage sizes: 32GB and 64GB.
The 32GB version set you back £399, (US$499, around AU$680), while the larger storage size is available for £479 (US$599, around AU$820).
Now though, only the pricier 64GB model remains, but it's still comfortably cheaper than the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (£700, $930, AU$1,499) and (admittedly newer) iPad Pro 9.7 (£549, $599, AU$849).
If you want to make the most of the Google Pixel C you'll want to pick up the Pixel C keyboard as well, which will set you back a further £73 ($99, around AU$160) - which is much cheaper than the initial £119 ($149) launch price.
You're looking at a total spend of £552 ($698, around $940) for the 64GB Google Pixel C if you want the complete package, which is still cheaper than rivals (when you include their keyboards as well).
There's no mistaking that the Pixel C is a premium tablet. Finished in Anodized Aluminum, the Pixel C looks and feels like an expensive piece of tech as soon as you lay eyes and hands on it.
That style isn't light though, and at 517g it's considerably heavier than the similarly proportioned iPad Pro 9.7, which tips the scales at 437g – although the Pro 9.7 is shorter, narrower and thinner than the 242 x 179 x 7mm Google Pixel C.
There's a healthy amount of bezel surrounding the 10.2-inch display, and considering there's no physical home key it feels like wasted space. We'd have liked a larger screen, or tighter dimensions – but the tech has to fit somewhere, which probably explains the extra bulk.
You don't even get a fingerprint scanner, a feature that Google's included in its Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P smartphones after providing dedicated support for the digit-reading tech with Android Marshmallow. It feels a little bit like a missed opportunity.
With the Pixel C held in landscape orientation, the power/lock key is located on the left of the top edge, while the volume rocker sits high up on the left, with a USB-C port at the bottom of the same side.
The USB-C port enables you to charge the Pixel C and transfer data to and from it, but it also has another use. Connect a phone or Pixel laptop to the Pixel C and the tablet can charge your other devices – handy if your phone is running low and there's no power outlet in sight.
There are also dual stereo speakers on either side of the tablet, and a 3.5mm headphone jack completes the array of features on the right side of the Pixel C.
On the rear, the 8MP camera is joined by the iconic Chromebook light bar shining in Google's four trademark colours. It's Google's answer to the illuminated Apple logo on the MacBook range, ensuring that even in dark environments people know the brand of your machine. Thank God.
It is rather attractive, and it actually serves a purpose other than blowing Google's trumpet. Double-tap the light bar and it can display the Pixel C's battery level, even when the device is turned off – that's really useful if you want to see if it needs a quick charge.
The flat edges mean the Pixel C doesn't sit particularly comfortably in the hand, and this isn't a tablet you'll want to be clinging to for extended periods of time.
The location of the various buttons, and the orientation of the light bar, signals that Google intends for you to use the Pixel C in landscape mode most of the time. But portrait mode is readily available, and is arguably better for activities such as web browsing.
The design then, is pleasing to the eye, but the Pixel C still can't hold a candle to the iPads. Apple's flagship tablets just feel nicer, look slicker and weigh less.
We really like the Pixel C's design, but put it next to the iPad and Apple still wins the beauty contest.
The Google Pixel C packs a 10.2-inch display, which is larger than the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2 and 8.9-inch Nexus 9 displays, but smaller than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 12.3-inch Surface Pro 4 screens.
Meanwhile, with a resolution of 2560 x 1800 the Pixel C has a pixel density of 308ppi, comfortably outperforming the Air 2 (264ppi) and Nexus 9 (281ppi) and making for a crystal-clear display – it's called the Pixel for a reason.
So far, so good then, but Google's not finished there. The screen on the Pixel C is 25% brighter than leading tablets (according to tests by DisplayMate). It can go up to 500 nits, which makes outside viewing more viable – although it's still not perfect.
The screen has also been enhanced with Low Temperature PolySilicon technology. "What the hell does that mean?" I hear you cry. Well, it's good news for the battery, as it helps to keep the display's power consumption down.
Holding the Pixel C alongside the Air 2 it's clear that Google's tablet has the brighter screen. It's fantastic.
It all means you get an excellent on-screen experience with the Pixel C, with pin-sharp clarity and bright colours. The iPad Air 2's display seriously impressed, but the Pixel C's is even better.
For an additional £119 (US$149, around AU$200) you can supplement your Pixel C with a full-size keyboard, which has also been designed and built by Google, alongside the tablet.
The best feature of the keyboard is automatic pairing. There's no need to mess around with Bluetooth settings, or switching off the keyboard when it's not in use – the Pixel C just knows when the keyboard is attached. Just make sure Bluetooth is on, and the slate will do the rest.
Then there's the docking system. There are no annoying latches or pins to line up here; instead the keyboard sports a heavy-duty magnet which clings to the bottom third of the Pixel C. The connection is surprisingly strong, and you can pick up the assemblage by either the keyboard or tablet without any fear that the two will become disconnected.
The magnet also doubles as a multi-angle hinge, enabling you to tilt the Pixel C to your preferred degree for optimum viewing, whether you're tapping out text or sitting back to enjoy a Netflix binge.
When you're not using the Pixel C the keyboard acts as a protective cover for the screen, sticking to the front of the tablet. If you want to use the Pixel C as a slate, rather than a laptop, you can stick the keyboard to the rear for safe keeping.
This does, however, increase the bulk of the tablet, and makes it more uncomfortable to hold, with an additional 399g added to the total weight. I'd advise slipping the keyboard into a bag, or sitting in on a table when you're in tablet mode.
Whenever the keyboard is attached to the tablet it wirelessly charges, which means your keyboard will never run out of juice while you're using the Pixel C.
The chiclet keyboard has traditional clicky keys which feel natural under the fingers, although the 1.4mm travel is a little shallow. It's a setup your fingers will become accustomed to quickly, although a few of the keys can be tricky to hit – the apostrophe/@ key is only half-width, while the enter key has also been slimmed down.
The keyboard is great for typing, but there's still a strong reliance on the touchscreen, which does interrupt the experience somewhat. Hitting the three dots key to the right of the space bar brings up an on-screen menu of symbols, and you tap the one you want rather than using the keyboard.
It's this disconnect which reminds you that you're using a tablet and not a laptop, and it slows down the typing experience. It would also be handy to have a home button on the keyboard, to enable you to quickly exit applications.
I wrote around half of this review using the Pixel C's keyboard, and over extended periods of typing I did notice my speed was lacking compared to working on a traditional computer keyboard. I was able to type relatively comfortably with the Pixel C on my lap, though – something you can't always easily do with tablet keyboard docks.
Another potential annoyance is that the keyboard dock doesn't enable you to seat the Pixel C in portrait mode. For many this won't be an issue, but it's something the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet does allow with its (included in the box) keyboard dock.
The Pixel C's keyboard is cheaper than Apple's £139 (US$169, AU$269) Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro, but it's fair to say the Cupertino firm's implementation is cleaner, and quicker to deploy. It does have its limitations compared to the C though, with just one display angle and keys which take a lot of getting used to.
The Google Pixel C launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow - and operating system it was specifically designed to run, meaning it's optimized for Google's software without the interference of an outside manufacturer.
That means nothing gets in the way of the pure Android experience, and the Pixel C is first in line for future Android updates, ensuring you're always up to date.
Since launch, the Pixel C has seen a number of Android updates and the most recent build to hit the tablet was Android 7.1.2. That means it's bang up to date with the latest version of Android Nougat.
One of the big features which arrived in the Marshmallow update is Doze, which keeps activity to a minimum when your device is on standby, and which helps to extend battery life up to a claimed 10 hours on the Pixel C – but more on that in the battery section.
You do benefit from improved voice support however, enabling you to be a little more casual when conversing with Google Now, plus there's Now on Tap – this displays mini cards in-app to provide additional information relevant to what's on screen.
For example, if you're viewing a web page about Star Wars, Now on Tap can detect that and offer up other relevant information about the franchise.
Now on Tap is triggered by sliding up from the home button on the Pixel C; it doesn't always have something to add, however, and it can be a little hit and miss when it does return results.
What the Android interface fails to deliver, however, is the breath of functionality to rival the iPad Pro or Surface Pro 4.
While both of those slates can potentially stand alone as laptop replacements, Android doesn't do enough to make it a viable option as well.
Google has ensured that it's put specs in all the right places on the Pixel C, with a focus on the screen, power and battery.
That does mean, though, that there are a few areas where the specs don't quite match the flagship price tag – chiefly in the camera department, where an 8MP rear camera is joined by a 2MP front snapper.
It's certainly not the end of the world, and while the lack of a microSD slot will irk some, at least there's no poxy 16GB model – I'm looking at you Apple – with 32GB the entry-level storage size. I would have liked to have seen a 128GB model above the 64GB offering, although for most users 64GB will be enough.
Stereo speakers help to improve the audio output of the Pixel C, while the four microphones enable the tablet to hear you more clearly when you're barking orders at Google Now, and improve your voice clarity during video calls.
As I've mentioned, the Pixel C comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest iteration of Google's mobile software platform.
This means you have access to the Play Store, well stocked as it is with apps, games, movies and music. The thing is, though, Android lacks the quantity and quality of tablet-optimised applications that you get in the rival App Store for Apple's iOS.
Load up certain applications – Spotify is a good example – and you'll notice it's just the smartphone application. It hasn't been optimised for the Pixel C's expansive 10.2-inch display, nor any other tablet screen for that matter.
While such apps are still perfectly usable, this lack of optimisation does hamper the user experience, and can make things look a little bit ugly on screen.
A handy touch, however, is found in the navigation bar, where Google has split the trio of buttons so they no longer reside in the middle of the screen.
Instead, the multitasking button sits against the right side of the screen, while back and home are on the left. This makes them a lot easier to hit when holding the tablet with both hands.
There's plenty of Wi-Fi potential inside the Pixel C with the slate supporting 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO – if you've got a super-duper router this tablet can take full advantage of it.
Those looking for 4G connectivity will be disappointed, though, as Google offers the Pixel C as Wi-Fi only. Apple, Samsung and even the Nexus 9 offer up pricier Wi-Fi + LTE models for those who never want to be without an internet connection, but no dice here.
It's not a big problem, though, as for many their core usage will occur at home or somewhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
The Pixel C sports Nvidia's Tegra X1 processor, a 64-bit, quad-core chip which delivers a healthy blast of power into Google's aluminium-clad slate.
That's joined by 3GB of RAM, which means the Pixel C has more power under the hood than the iPad Air 2 and Nexus 9, although the octa-core Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet technically have greater capacity for higher loads.
Running the Pixel C through Geekbench 3 shows just how powerful it is. With an average multi-core score of 4449, it performs better than the Nexus 9, Sony and Samsung tablets, while pretty much matching the Air 2's result.
On screen I found the Android interface to be fast and fluid. Apps generally loaded in good time, and the Pixel C was able to run the graphically-intensive Real Racing 3 and Asphalt 8 Airborne without any hint of slowdown.
It's not the slickest experience I've ever had on a tablet though, and while everything runs well, the Pixel C just lacks that top level of polish for sublime performance and instant responses every time.
The Pixel C is a Google tablet out-and-out, so it's no surprise that the only music player that's pre-installed is Play Music.
As music apps go it's pretty standard, enabling you to view your tunes by artist, album, track or genre. You have the facility to create playlists on the fly too, but Play Music does have a trick up its sleeve.
That trick is Unlimited, Google's own music streaming service, which requires a monthly subscription payment of £9.99 (US$9.99), in return for which it puts millions of songs at your fingertips.
Of course, if you already subscribe to a rival service (such as Spotify) you can just head to the Play Store and download the relevant app.
Sound quality from the built-in stereo speakers is acceptable at a moderate level, but don't expect resonating bass or crystal-clear lyrics.
At high volumes the Pixel C's speakers are tinny, almost uncomfortably so – there's more depth in the iPad Air 2, but that's only got a single driver. If you're looking for room-filling sound you'll need to plug in an external speaker.
Things are improved when you plug in a set of headphones, however, with the Pixel C able to kick out decent audio.
With its 10.2-inch, 2560 x 1800 display, the Pixel C is a movie machine. Your HD movies and TV shows will look great on the tablet's screen, and if you can afford to crank the brightness up to max your eyes will be in for a real treat.
For those willing to splash out on the keyboard, you'll be glad you did if you watch a lot of videos on your mobile devices. The Pixel C is pretty heavy, so you won't fancy holding it for the duration of a film; the keyboard proves a solid stand, and its multi-positional hinge means you'll be able to find the perfect viewing angle.
There's sadly no option to minimise your video into a small floating window, which would enable you to use the tablet while still keeping an eye on the action. This is something the iPad Pro has, although its larger display means it makes more sense there than on the Pixel C.
Video playback is smooth, bright and highly detailed, enabling you to fully enjoy the on-screen action. The internal speakers do let the side down again though, so if you're settling down to watch a blockbuster you're best off connecting a speaker or headphones.
With its crystal-clear display, Tegra X1 processor, Maxwell GPU and 3GB of RAM the Pixel C is well equipped for a solid gaming session.
Load times are quick and playback is smooth, even on demanding titles such as Real Racing 3. I did find my arms got a little tired if I played for an extended period of time, though, so you might want to divide your play time up into chunks – or just choose a game where you don't need to hold and twist the tablet to steer a car!
I also found the Pixel C could get quite warm during an intensive gaming session – not hot enough to burn your hands, but it can get a little uncomfortable.
If you opt for the keyboard as well, some games are already taking advantage of the keys on offer. I played Asphalt 8 Airborne on the Pixel C, which has already been updated to allow for keyboard input.
This gives you more of a PC-like experience, and given the power of the Pixel C and the graphical improvements in games, our mobile devices are getting closer and closer to console and PC gaming.
One thing to note though is that not all games are optimised for the resolution of the Pixel C's display, which can mean they appear a little pixelated.
That's a shortcoming on the developer side, rather than on the part of the tablet – and the hope is that devs will update their apps and games to support higher resolutions in the future.
Google claims the Pixel C can go for over 10 hours on a single charge, although obviously that depends very much on your usage.
During our time with the Pixel C we found battery life to be generally strong, with the tablet coping well with a variety of tasks. Activities such as video playback and gaming, of course, drain the battery quicker than web browsing or social media activity.
We ran the TechRadar 90-minute HD video test with the screen on full brightness and various accounts syncing in the background over Wi-Fi, after which the Pixel C had lost 27% of its battery, dropping down from 100% to 73%.
That's a disappointing result, putting the Pixel C behind the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (16%), Nexus 9 (18%), iPad Air 2 (21%) and Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet (21%).
It's not all bad news though. The Pixel C's display is much brighter than its rivals, so reducing the brightness by half means you still get a decent experience while saving yourself a whole heap of battery life.
If you want to get 10 hours-plus from the Pixel C's battery you'll need to make sure you keep the display brightness reduced, and limit your amount of video playback.
If you primarily use your tablet for web browsing, emails and social media, then you'll easily be able to get a good eight hours from the Pixel C, if not longer.
The Pixel C comes with a fast-charger plug in the box, so if you are running low you can quickly top the tablet up – you'll know when it's fast-charging, as 'charging rapidly' will be displayed on the lock screen.
The Google Pixel C does have cameras, one on the front and one on the back, but like many tablet snappers they're not a patch on the offerings in your smartphone.
Round the back the 8MP sensor provides a relatively solid camera for basic, occasional shots, while the 2MP front camera should be reserved for video calls only – it's not great for selfies.
The size and weight of the Pixel C also means it's not exactly easy to wield, and you'll want to find something to rest the tablet on so you can get a steady shot.
There's no flash either, so you'll want to avoid snapping in low lighting, which does limit the Pixel C's camera credentials further.
As the Pixel C comes with stock Android, you get Google's standard camera app, which finds a happy place between the simplicity of Apple's iOS app and the feature-packed offerings from other Android handset manufacturers.
Slide your finger in from the left side of the display and you'll get five modes to choose from: Photo Sphere, Panorama, Lens Blur, Camera and Video. It's all pretty stock Google, but it's easy to use.
There's a settings icon too, which enables you to adjust the resolution of your images and switch on manual exposure if you wish.
The shutter is pretty quick, and the larger 10.2-inch display makes for a great viewfinder – but the results aren't so good. Images tend to be grainy and lacking in detail, with moving subjects often blurring as the Pixel C struggles to keep up.
It's certainly not the worst tablet camera I've used, but you'll probably be better off using your phone, and reserving the Pixel C for snapping the odd photo.
The Pixel C may be Google's first proper attempt at a tablet, but you wouldn't know it. It looks great, performs well and gives its high-end rivals a real run for their money.
Google needs to set the standard when it comes to Android products, and with the Pixel C it's managed to do just that.
This is one of the best-looking Android tablets we've had the pleasure of using – and it's one of our favorite Android slates to date.
We were wary of the Nvidia processor Google had opted for, but thankfully it performs well – you can throw pretty much anything at the Pixel C and it'll run it without breaking a sweat.
Then there's the display. Seriously, this display is awesome. It's pin-sharp, colorful and insanely bright. You don't appreciate just how bright it is until you put it side by side with the iPads. It's pretty special.
Stock Android is another big plus point for the Pixel C, giving you a clean, fuss-free interface to customize to your liking without another manufacturer's apps and design tweaks getting in your way.
Plus, the Pixel C will be in line for future Android updates, so you can be safe in the knowledge that it won't fall behind the times for the next few years at least.
There's really not a great deal to dislike about the Pixel C, and the negative points it does have are relatively minor.
It is a bit on the heavy, bulky side, especially when compared to the svelte iPad Pro 9.7 and Galaxy Tab S3 – but it's not disastrous.
The keyboard dock is a clever accessory, but it's also a pricey one on top of an already expensive tablet. While if was fun to use, we're not convinced it's worth the asking price; if you're planning on doing a lot of typing on the Pixel C, however, it's a must.
Battery life also wasn't stellar. The Pixel C by no means suffers in the battery department, but given Google's big claim of over 10 hours use from a single charge we were hoping for better performance during video playback.
The Pixel C is still a great Android tablet. It's not cheap, but this is a top of the range tablet, and it justifies its iPad-matching price tag.
If you're fed up with Apple, or simply want the best Android tablet around, then the Pixel C is the slate for you. You can feel that Google has been involved at every stage, with its simple fluidity flowing throughout the Pixel C experience.
Android still has a shortcoming when it comes to tablet-optimized apps; add to that the general bulk of the Pixel C it's not quite as pick-up-and-play-friendly as the iPad range.
It also doesn't have the breath of functionality to trouble the iPad Pro or Surface Pro 4, even with its keyboard dock, but the Pixel C is comfortably cheaper than both.
What the Pixel C does offer is genuine competition at the top of the tablet market, and if you decide to splash the extra cash on the keyboard dock as well you'll have a very powerful machine at your fingertips.
There are a few high-profile rivals for you to consider before splashing the cash on the Google Pixel C, and we've pulled them together below to help you make up your mind.
There's no mistaking which tablet Google's going after with the Pixel C. The iPad Pro 9.7 (and the new iPad) still dominates the high end of the market, and manufacturers are trying their best to emulate Apple's slate success.
The iPad Pro 9.7 has a fantastically premium design, an excellent display and a whole heap of power under the hood, making for a slick and enjoyable experience. There's also the optional Apple Pencil and keyboard case to make it into a tablet.
The biggest bonus of picking up the iPad though is the wide selection of applications that are optimized for its larger screen. It's something the Play Store has yet to match, and it makes the Pro even easier to use.
Read our iPad Pro 9.7 review
Samsung's iPad Pro and Pixel C rival is filled full of tech, and sports a fingerprint scanner, S Pen stylus in the box, a premium design and an optional keyboard as well.
It's thin and light, making it easy to hold, while Samsung has worked on improving its TouchWiz interface. Stock Android still has the beating of it, but it's a positive step forward, while it can also boast the world's first HDR display on a tablet - making it great for gaming and movies.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 review
The Surface Pro 4 has the advantage of running the full desktop version of Windows 10 - giving you all the functionality of a computer in a more portable form factor.
The Type Cover keyboard has been greatly improved, and it also boasts a mouse pad which makes certain tasks much easier over the Google Pixel C.
It doesn't come cheap, and if you're not wedded to the Microsoft way of doing things you can save yourself some money - will taking a functionality hit - by opting for the Pixel C.
Read our Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review
First reviewed: December 2015
