Google has finally put the Pixel Tablet on sale. Having announced this tablet at Google I/O 2022, it's taken a full year to come to launch, but now it's here.

One of the interesting elements of the Pixel Tablet is how it wants to be more than just a tablet. Sure, it offers Android on a larger screen, including software enhancements to use all that space - but it also wants to be useful when it's not being used as a tablet. That's where the Charging Speaker Dock comes in to play and something called Hub Mode. But what is it?

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What is Hub Mode?

Hub Mode will transform your Pixel Tablet from a regular Android slate into something that's more useful. In combination with the Charging Speaker Dock, you'll be able to use Hub Mode to give your tablet a second life rather than just throwing it in a drawer when you're not using it.

Hub Mode will make your Pixel Tablet more useful around the home, a little like a Nest Hub. In that sense, it's very much like Show Mode on the Amazon Fire tablets, which also have an optional dock. But here, Google is offering hands-free access to Google Assistant rather than Alexa.

Hub Mode on Pixel Tablet

What can Hub Mode do?

Hub Mode will give you instant access to smart home controls you have setup with Google Home, so you'll be able to dive in and control devices with a tap, or use it for things like viewing who is at the door, or changing the lighting settings. Of course, Google Assistant will be able to help you there too, and you can just ask Google the normal range of questions - it's always listening.

You'll also be able to use your Pixel Tablet as a digital photo frame, so you can display your images around your home when you're not using your tablet. That basicaly becomes a screen saver when your tablet is on the dock - but you can also choose a clock, weather station or a range of artwork to be displayed.

You'll also be able to use your Pixel Tablet as a Google TV device and it also supports Chromecast, so you'll be able to send content from your phone to your docked Pixel Tablet.

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Google Pixel Tablet

What is the Charging Speaker Dock?

The bespoke dock for the Pixel Tablet is designed to let you do more with your tablet. You'll be able to magnetically dock it so your Tablet can charge, while it also provides the speakers to boost the audio output of your tablet. No more thin music - the Charging Speaker Dock will deliver 4x the bass that you'd get from the tablet for a much better media experience, from its 43.5mm driver.

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The Pixel Tablet comes bundled with the Speaker Dock, but you can also buy additional docks separately, so you can have one in the kitchen and one in the office, for example, so your Pixel Tablet can be useful in any room of the house.

Is Hub Mode any good?

Hub Mode is an interesting idea, but it's rather basic. It is essentially just a screen saver with quick access to Google Home, so you can use smart home controls. That's great, but what you don't get is the fun widget-based interface that you get from the Nest Hub. It's all rather basic, meaning that Hub Mode isn't a huge deal - and could certainly be better.

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Pocket-lint

The Nest Hub (pictured above) offers access to a range of different areas that make it useful as a smart display - home control, media, communication - and while the Pixel Tablet will do these things, there's no interface that shows them off when docked. It feels like a huge opportunity that Google has missed here, not making it comparable with its existing smart display.