New Google laptops and tablets said to be coming with productivity in mind

During its Cloud Next 2019 conference earlier today, Google seemingly teased a new device that would help on-the-go employees in ways that the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate didn’t.

According to 9to5Google, the firm teased the new device during the “Introducing Google Hardware for Business” session. Pixelbook Group product management lead Steve Jacobs had the following to say in regards to what employees have now and what Google is working on:

The tools they have aren’t really conducive to the lifestyle and work style that makes them maximally productive and excited about going to work every day. And we think there’s some unique things we can do differently than the Pixelbook and Pixel Slate that are going to really help give them what they’re looking for when they’re working in this new modern cloud-first era.

Sure enough, Google confirmed with The Verge that its hardware division is working on new laptops and tablets. The confirmation seemingly runs counter to last month’s report alleging that Google moved employees from its laptop and tablet division.

Google told Android Authority that it “can’t comment on rumors or speculation as this was just a presentation about capabilities/use cases for Google made hardware.”

Further adding to the intrigue, Jacobs’ LinkedIn profile states that he leads the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and “Emerging” categories within Google’s Core Technology group. What the Emerging group does isn’t known, though the Core Technology group seemingly focuses on “looking for new and innovative ways to advance the way we work and play on personal computers.”

Maybe we’ll see Google debut its marinating Fuchsia OS on its next laptop or tablet. Only time will tell. The company also a desktop mode in the Android Q developer preview, but it’s unclear whether this feature is related to its plans.

NEXT: Google steals senior Mac OS engineer from Apple to work on Fuchsia OS