It's official-- the 2018 Pixel Slate is the last tablet from Google, as the search giant confirms it is shifting all hardware team efforts on building laptops, even if it promises to continue supporting the Pixel Slate.
The announcement comes via Twitter from Google Devices & Services SVP Rick Osterloh, who adds the Android and Chrome OS teams are still "100% committed" to working with partners on tablets for all segments of the market, namely consumer, enterprise and education. A number of media outlets also received an official statement stating the exact sentiment, specifically "for Google's first-party hardware efforts, we'll be focusing on Chrome OS laptops and will continue to support Pixel Slate."
Initially breaking the news was Computerworld in a story claiming Google had two smaller-sized tablets in development to follow on the Pixel Slate. However the company suddenly stopped working on the devices following the roadmap pivoting to laptops. That said, Google insists the developments only affects tablets, and it will continue developing Pixel phones and any number of Google Home/Nest products.
Furthermore, Google defines a "tablet" as a device with either a detachable keyboard base or a no physical keyboard in the first place. Thus, a 2-in-1 hybrid device such as the Pixelbook (whose attached keyboard has a 360-degree hinge, allowing for tablet-style use) falls under the "laptop" definition, at least according to Google.
What's next in laptops from Google, then? Google has no official announcements, but Computerworld says the company might present a "laptop-oriented Pixelbook product" before the year ends. The Pixel Slate will receive regular software updates until Une 2024 (as previously promised) and the Chrome OS team is working on software for both laptops and tablets.
Go Google's Officially Done Making its Own Tablets (Computerworld)