Google might be finished with the tablet business, if its removal of the Tablets section from Android's official website is any indication.
The removal occurred without much fanfare, that is until Android Police noticed something was missing from the website and reported it. Google hasn't formally announced it's giving up on the devices, but this could be as good an indication as any.
Google Kills Its Tablets
TechCrunch declared tablets dead back in 2016, though more than 160 million of them were still shipped last year. Even so, they're arguably not as popular as they once were, in large part because smartphones have become so powerful and feature-rich that some consumers simply find no need to buy a tablet anymore.
In particular, Google has struggled to convince customers that Android tablets are great alternatives to Apple's iPad lineup, and much like its smartphones, these devices also suffer from severe fragmentation — the thing that happens when some manufacturers don't deliver software updates in time, leaving its users unable to get the latest features.
It's Time To Embrace Chrome OS
The move indicates that Google is focusing more on Chrome OS for large-screen Android experiences, which makes sense as recent reports suggest the company is working on broadening Android compatibility with Chrome OS. Also, this past December, Google stopped selling the Pixel C tablet and advised everyone to get a Google Pixelbook instead. With this, it shouldn't really come as a surprise that it's waiving the white flag when it comes to tablets.
So, Are Tablets Officially Dead?
That doesn't mean there will no longer be Android tablets, however. Other manufacturers might still keep on making some, especially big ones such as Samsung. Amazon, too, makes some pretty decent tablets, and best of all, they're pretty cheap.
It's a little too early to say tablets are dead, to be sure, but they're clearly heading in that direction. People have been relying more and more on their smartphones over the years, and it's easy to see why: the latest phones are simply killing it. A tablet seems more of a niche product these days, reserved for those who prefer playing games, watching movies, and doing other stuff on a larger screen.
Do you think tablets are done for? Should Google still keep making Android tablets, or is it wise to stop now? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
