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    Pixel Slate passes FCC certifications but no LTE in sight

    Kevin TofelBy 1 Comment2 Mins Read
    Pixelbook Slate

    If you were hoping for one last Pixel Slate surprise — and that surprise being an integrated LTE radio — you’ll be disappointed: There won’t be an LTE model available, at least not at launch. This information comes from the Pixel Slate FCC certification that Chrome Unboxed found on Friday.

    I was hoping we might get the chance to add an LTE module when choosing one of the five Pixel Slate configurations you might be considering based on your usage and requirements.

    Part of my thought was the pricing for every model wasn’t an exact price, but instead said: “From [insert price here]”. Why say “From” if the price is simply the price? Oh well, maybe we’ll see an LTE option added in the future like Samsung did with the Chromebook Plus v2. And of course, you can use the Instant Tethering feature of Chrome OS with an Android phone for the Pixel Slate.

    As you can see, for now, the FCC has only accepted test results with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth frequencies.So does this tell us anything about the potential release date for Google’s Pixel Slate?

    Not in any detail, of course, but the device can’t be sold in the U.S. until it receives FCC certification. We’re obviously a step closer to availability and/or pre-ordering. The only information we have — and it’s certainly not confirmation of anything — is the Best Buy product listing that showed a November 22 release. That date was quickly taken down by Best Buy once I reported it, but I did capture a screenshot at the time.

    Assuming that date is correct, we could see pre-orders start within the next two weeks or so; if you signed up to be notified by Google when that happens, keep an eye on your Inbox for confirmation.

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    After spending 15 years in IT at Fortune 100 companies, Kevin turned a hobby into a career and began covering mobile technology in 2003. He writes daily on the industry and has co-hosted the weekly MobileTechRoundup podcast since 2006. His writing has appeared in print (The New York Times, PC Magazine and PC World) and he has been featured on NBC News in Philadelphia.

    1 Comment

    1. John Bokilo on

      Google Mobile has lost its mojo!

      Simply, Google Mobile is lost. Someone needs to take control of that unit and right the ship.
      1) Why release tablet Google Pixel Slate and make it as expensive as Apple iPad Pro when the Slate has no LTE version and storage is limited to 256 GB? The iPad Pro has 1TB storage with LTE and this is at same price point as Pixel Slate 128 GM with wi-fi only. Pathetic. People who bought these expensive tablets needs productivity. Give them the option of LTE when they travel.
      2) Why make the Pixel 3 phones with reduced battery capacity and only 4GB of RAM? Also, the Pixel 3 has an antiquated design. Hey, Google, just look at the superior and creative designs and features on Huawei Mate 20 Pro and salivate on what Huawei has done and still come at the same price point as Google. What didn’t Huawei just do the design and you don’t need a huge mobile unit department from HTC.
      3) Find ways to listen to what customers need. Google is failing miserably at this.