To get 25 percent off, you have to tell Google you’re a developer, as first uncovered by Ars Technica. All you do is head over to Google’s developer site, fill in your email, and wait for Google to send you a special link to get the discount. No proof of development experience is actually required—at least none that’s obvious.
Instead of paying $600 for the 64GB Pixel C you can get it for about $450, a 25 percent discount. The 32GB flavor’s price drops from $499 to around $375. Google’s discount does not apply to the keyboard accessory, but if you get the 64GB tablet and order the keyboard you’re basically getting the keyboard for free compared to the normal price.
There are some limits to this promotion. First, you can only buy one tablet per person and supplies are limited. Google also says it may take a few days before you get your link, and by that time the company may have tightened up its requirements to prove that you’re a developer. Still, it’s worth a shot if you’ve had your eye on the Pixel C.
The impact on you at home: Google’s discount is meant to give developers the chance to try out the Android N developer preview. It’s not clear if the discount Pixel C comes with Android N pre-loaded or if it expects developers to reflash their new devices with the latest version of the operating system—an important point for casual users. If you’re not comfortable loading a fresh build of Android on your tablet, then you’ll want to make sure the Pixel C doesn’t come pre-loaded with Android N. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a potentially buggy version of Android on your glorious new slate.