A new development has emerged regarding Google’s upcoming Chromebook tablet, codenamed ‘Sapphire’. This device is expected to include a premium feature: wireless charging for its accompanying pen. Information gathered from a recent commit in the Chromium Gerrit suggests that ‘Sapphire’ will utilize advanced technology for this feature, aligning with its status as a leading device in the Chromebook development landscape.
What We Know About ‘Sapphire’
‘Sapphire’ represents the first real-world application of the ‘Tanjiro’ reference design, which is set to power a new generation of tablets using the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra chip. This chip is already recognized for its speed and efficiency, having been integrated into other models such as the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 and the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514.
In addition to its impressive processing capabilities, ‘Sapphire’ is incorporating an LED light strip, a distinctive feature that has become synonymous with Google’s Pixel Chromebook line. This combination of hardware hints that ‘Sapphire’ could be positioned as the first Google-made Pixelbook tablet in several years, potentially serving as a flagship device for the anticipated transition to an Android kernel on ChromeOS.
Innovative Features and Expectations
The latest information regarding ‘Sapphire’ indicates the inclusion of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The commit points to a specific component from NXP, reminiscent of the technology used in the HP Chromebook x2 11, which featured a similar wireless pen charging solution.
The HP device utilized a USI pen that magnetically attached to the tablet and charged wirelessly via NFC. Given that ‘Sapphire’ is adopting the same type of NFC hardware, it is highly likely that this Chromebook tablet will also support a wirelessly charging USI pen.
A powerful tablet like ‘Sapphire’, equipped with the Kompanio Ultra processor, a signature Pixel light bar, and the convenience of wireless pen charging, embodies a compelling combination expected from a top-tier ChromeOS tablet developed by Google.
As the development progresses, further details are anticipated, and the tech community remains eager for updates. The introduction of ‘Sapphire’ could signal a significant evolution in Google’s tablet offerings, with potential implications for the broader Chromebook market.