Pixel Tablet review: Google’s Android slate and smart display rolled into one

Magnetic charging speaker dock makes this tablet useful when idle, while software and app improvements are paying off

Google's long-awaited Pixel Tablet has finally landed to try to tempt users away from Apple's dominant iPad and make the large-screen devices useful in the home by becoming a smart display when not in active use - a feature that seems so obvious it's a wonder why no one has tried it before.

The Android tablet costs 599 ($499/A$899) and comes with a magnetic charging speaker dock to enable its dual function super power. It is Google's first Android tablet in eight years and marks the company's attempt to reignite the category following up on its recent software efforts.