14 DAY TRIAL // A few days ago speculations about the mythical Chrome OS tablet re-emerged, claiming Acer might be gearing up to release such a tablet by the end of the month.
As we previously told you, Acer has sent out invites to its New York “A Touch More Connected” event scheduled for April 29. Back then, we speculated we might see the tech giant introduce new Chromebook models (with a touch-screen function) and maybe even a nice wearable.
But the most intriguing speculation covers the tablet department. Apparently, Acer is looking to offer a middle ground. The company's PC shipments are said to be failing, but Acer’s Chromebook shipments are the ones maintaining the business afloat.
And since PC sales are declining and tablets are on the rise, Acer might be attempting to offer the middle ground, by means of outing a Chrome OS tablet.
If you were pretty skeptical about this theory, maybe this piece of information will make you re-evaluate your position. Last week, Google updated its Chrome OS and one of the new things added seem to hint towards a tablet, says ZDnet.
“Onscreen keyboard which allows you to type and use device features (top row) with a pointing device,” says the change log.
Even if the onscreen keyboard has existed in the developers channel for a while now, it’s a big deal the feat has now been bundled in the newest stable version aimed for general release.
So, we can argue this is a good indication Google is probably working with some manufacturer to bring to the market the first Chrome OS tablet. Otherwise, a touch keyboard is pretty useless on a Chromebook that comes equipped with a physical keyboard.
As stated above, this might as well mean Acer is ready to roll out a new touch-enabled Chromebook, but judging by the fact that the company already has a such a model on the market, we tend to lean towards the first option (it’s also more exciting).
For those who don’t know the Acer 720p and Google’s own Chromebook Pixel, both come equipped with touch-screens and the physical keyboard is more than enough for getting the job done on the notebooks.
Anyway, maybe Acer is planning to offer more ways of interacting with the Chromebook. Or who knows, maybe we’re going to see a 2-in-1 Chromebook be unveiled at the event in New York scheduled for the end of the month. Keep your eyes open when the date comes.