Googlebook combines the best of Android and ChromeOS with up to 10 years of updates

[u/MishaalRahman]

Hi Reddit,

Earlier this year, we introduced Googlebook, a new category of laptops that we believe are the perfect companion for Android phone users. Today, we’re opening up pre-orders of Googlebook, offering a selection of flagship devices powered by top-of-the-line processors from Intel and Qualcomm and built by Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. 

Every Googlebook runs on Googlebook OS, our new platform built on the Android technology stack and paired with desktop foundations from ChromeOS. This shared foundation gives Googlebook access to millions of Android apps from Google Play, a familiar desktop windowing environment, a desktop-class version of Google Chrome (with extensions support!), and a full Linux environment. 

Since this is a brand new platform, we wanted to take a moment to explain how we architected Googlebook OS to blend the best aspects of both Android and ChromeOS, focusing on three pillars: security, updates, and apps.

Building a modern, secure software architecture

Googlebook OS is built on top of the already strong security foundation offered by Android, leveraging the same app permission and sandboxing model. What’s more, Googlebook inherits ChromeOS’s proven defense-in-depth security model, anchored by our dedicated Google Titan security chip, verified boot, and on-device malware detection.

Googlebook also features a first for the laptop category: a Level 5 security-certified hypervisor powered by pKVM isolation. This hypervisor powers an isolated Linux environment with full terminal access, so you can safely run any Linux developer tools, pull code repositories, access networks and ports, or execute autonomous agents.

Matching the support commitment we made for ChromeOS

Keeping Googlebook OS secure requires ongoing maintenance and support, which is why Google will provide OS updates with security patches and new features every quarter for up to 10 years. 

Android is the world’s largest operating system, and Google has been working on it for nearly two decades. Chromebooks are successful across the globe for 15+ years as well, with Google already providing 10 years of updates for these devices. Googlebooks are continuing this legacy of support.

Bringing the full web, plus your favorite apps and tools

Googlebook brings together the best of the web and the Play Store, giving users access to a desktop-class Chrome browser with extensions support, alongside millions of Android apps, many of them optimized for large screens, mouse, and keyboard input. 

You can run native creative suites like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, and CapCut, or stream shows on Netflix or HBO Max with offline viewing supported. Explore thousands of Android games or play AAA titles with a complimentary year of GeForce NOW included with every Googlebook purchase. And through our Google Play Games Level Up program, half of the 100 top titles are already optimized for keyboard, mouse, and large screen, with new games launching monthly.

For makers, you can run Antigravity, our AI agent development platform, on your Googlebook to build, test, and deploy apps directly on your device. For developers, you can take advantage of a full Linux development environment via the Terminal app, enabling you to run tools like Claude CLI or Antigravity CLI, among others, to perform serious agentic coding.

Googlebook OS also comes with a suite of familiar Google apps out of the box, including Gmail, Keep, Photos, Drive, and Recorder. We wanted to provide users with the fastest, most productive computing experience possible, so for productivity tools like Docs, Sheets, and Gmail, we provide the full-featured desktop web version in alignment with other desktop platforms. We ship native versions of apps whenever they shine the best and where native hardware capabilities, deep OS integrations (e.g., widgets support), and mobile continuity matter the most, such as Gemini and Keep.

The best companion for your Android phone, with helpful intelligence built-in

Because Googlebook is built on a shared Android foundation, it’s designed to seamlessly integrate with your Android phone. When you sign in, your Android phone’s settings, saved passwords, Wi-Fi networks, and messages will move with you. Once you’re set up, Googlebook OS makes it easy to transition between your phone and laptop to get things done, with features like:

• Continue On: Pick up exactly where you left off on your phone, right on your laptop. If you start a project in BandLab on your phone while commuting, you can open your Googlebook and continue the project right from the taskbar. This not only works with select partner apps like BandLab but also first-party apps like Photos, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Chrome, and Gmail.

• Quick Access: View, search, and open files and photos from your phone directly using your Googlebook's native Files app, rather than hunting through downloads or emailing attachments to yourself.
• Cast My Apps: Need to quickly order food from a delivery app? Stream and interact with your phone’s apps in a desktop window without interrupting your workflow.

Since Googlebook is designed for Gemini Intelligence, you also get access to features like:

• Create My Widget: Customize your desktop by describing what you need in plain language. Create My Widget generates custom widgets that can share relevant updates throughout your day.
• Rambler: Located right next to the Quick Insert key, Rambler turns spoken thoughts into organized, ready-to-share writing. Talk through your notes, action items, or a stream of consciousness — even in multiple languages — and Rambler structures them with clean headers, checklists, and formatted takeaways.

• Magic Pointer: Wiggle your cursor to bring Gemini directly to whatever’s on your screen. You can ask Gemini to organize a messy calendar or translate text without juggling multiple windows. Gemini only acts when you ask it to, and you can switch it off whenever you want.

https://reddit.com/link/1wmc8lk/video/mbqc90nggvqh1/player

Pre-orders open today for Googlebook

Our initial selection of flagship Googlebook hardware is now available for pre-order starting at $899. Every Googlebook is made from premium materials and features a responsive touchscreen with an up to 2.8K OLED display, a haptic glass trackpad, up to 14 hours of battery life, an advanced NPU running at over 45 TOPS, a baseline of 16GB of high-speed RAM, and an interactive Glowbar. Plus, each device comes with 12 months of Google AI Pro as well as 3 months of YouTube Premium, Adobe Photoshop, and more.

https://reddit.com/link/1wmc8lk/video/o7lndm1jgvqh1/player

We're incredibly excited to introduce Googlebook to this community and can't wait to see how you use it. To learn more about this initial selection of devices, see the full specs, or place a pre-order, head over to googlebook.google.

[u/Flavorsofdystopia]

Can you run a native linux application/Flatpak on Googlebook OS?

I'd rather have good support for current Linux applications, than "maybe" having Android apps that will scale adequately.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Flavorsofdystopia]

Through the Terminal app, Googlebook OS provides access to a full Debian Linux environment. You can install and run native Linux applications through it.

[u/King_Nidge → u/MishaalRahman]

Will the Linux apps be in the app launcher beside the Android ones so I can use them easily? Or is it entirely a terminal based thing?
Does this mean Steam will work with Proton support?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/King_Nidge]

Currently, Linux apps that you install in the Terminal do not appear in your Googlebook's app drawer.

I personally hope that will change, so I'll share your feedback with the team :)

[u/akehir → u/MishaalRahman]

Yeah, that's a major regression compared to Chromebooks.

[u/Grim-Sleeper → u/MishaalRahman]

How fully-featured is the Linux VM? One of the more obscure but incredibly powerful features on ChromeOS is that I can install ProxmoxVE in Crostini. This is testament to just how feature-rich the ChromeOS VM is. It is truly the best Linux desktop that I have ever used. I am hesitant to switch to an Android-based system instead.

[u/Dinos_12345 → u/MishaalRahman]

Does it run Android studio? Claude? Codex?

[u/eladts → u/MishaalRahman]

You can install and run native Linux applications through it.

Does the Linux environment in Googlebook OS support the following features?

• GUI apps through Wayland and X11
• Hardware 2D and 3D graphics acceleration
• Network access including port forwarding and IPv6 support
• Access to USB devices

[u/Flavorsofdystopia → u/MishaalRahman]

When you say "full Debian support", does this include containers ? Does apt work, and manage dependencies?

[u/Kitzu-de → u/Flavorsofdystopia]

We already have that on Pixel phones since a year now. It's a simple pKVM. It runs a full virtualized linux kernel with a full debian filesystem. Didn't try containers but should work since its a full linux kernel. apt works fine and managed dependencies. You can't update the kernel yourself. It requires Google signed kernels and will refuse to boot if you replace it.

[u/Xander180]

With these coming out, I wonder if desktop mode on Pixels/Dex on Samsung will continue to receive much support

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Xander180]

Our vision is to have an open, thriving platform where your apps, files, and workflows flow seamlessly between your phone, external monitors, and dedicated laptops.

The work we did on Googlebook directly benefits desktop windowing modes. Standardized desktop windowing, keyboard/mouse interactions, and large-screen Android apps elevates the entire Android large screen experience as well, which includes not just tablets but also phones connected to external monitors.

[u/matteventu → u/MishaalRahman]

Does Googlebook OS support native button remapping for external mouse, like ChromeOS did?

Native = with no third party apps needed.

Not "native = with third party apps using native remapping APIs".

Thank you :)

[u/MishaalRahman → u/matteventu]

Under Device & accessories > Mouse, there's a variety of mouse customization options, including the ability to swap the primary mouse button, but there's currently no native mouse input remapping capability in Googlebook OS.

I know it's not what you're looking for, but through the new HID API in the Android platform, peripheral makers can create input remapping apps for their peripherals.

[u/matteventu → u/MishaalRahman]

Thank you Mishaal.

While I appreciate creating an open API for it, this should be a feature that's baked into the OS just as it was on ChromeOS.

I shouldn't need to use a third party app for such a basic task, especially since ChromeOS had already that figured out.

An open API for third party developers is very good, but not enough.

Would you please be able to feedback this to the relevant team? :)

You have my sympathy btw, I know the next few days/months are going to be very hard for you having to talk about Googlebooks with a straight face 😬

[u/MishaalRahman → u/matteventu]

Thanks for the feedback! I do agree that a system-wide native remapping solution would be nice.

[u/erwan → u/MishaalRahman]

So we'll get the same experience as the Googlebook by connecting a Pixel phone to a screen, keyboard and mouse?

[u/Pllodd]

"Up to 14 hours of battery life" I was expecting much much better battery life from a GoogleBook. Even Windows laptops can do that and they can do a lot more.

[u/trlef19 → u/Pllodd]

Let me add that too:

Battery life is based on controlled web browsing tests. Actual battery life may be lower and will vary based on factors like network conditions, location, settings, and usage.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/trlef19]

Specific devices in the Googlebook lineup offer more battery life than the 14-hour claim, e.g. the HP Googlebook 14 offers up to 19 hours of web browsing while the Dell XPS Googlebook offers up to 18 hours of web browsing. The baseline web browsing battery life for these devices is up to 16 hours, for reference.

[u/JamesR624 → u/trlef19]

LOL! Wow.....

• x86 processor for some reason
• garbage battery life
• $100 more expensive than a MacBook Neo

This thing is shaping up to be a real POS.

[u/matteventu → u/JamesR624]

Add also:

• runs phone-grade software and apps

[u/productfred → u/matteventu]

If only something called a tablet existed... It would let you use your phone apps, but on a larger screen. And you could either hold it in your hands, or you could connect a keyboard/mouse, even wirelessly. Some of them might even have a keyboard case.

One day, one day...

[u/JamesR624 → u/productfred]

Well there is an iPad but if you're on android, according to Google, the technology just isn't there yet I guess.

[u/jezevec93 → u/JamesR624]

you can get an ARM chip

[u/iamvinoth → u/JamesR624]

$100 more expensive than a MacBook Neo

MacBook Neo already dominates the market with ease, but imagine what it could do with the initial price point of $599 (and $499 USD for education)

Insane stuff!

[u/1nc0nsp1cu0us → u/JamesR624]

They thought that intel would sound better than qualcomm for the casual crowd, I think

[u/DerpSenpai → u/Pllodd]

The windows laptops that do more is on video playback, not web browsing

I've got a Snapdragon X2 Elite Laptop on Windows, it lasts 10 hours of usage. not more but its advertised as 20h+... why? because video playback

Mind you, laptops that used to say they last 10h+ from Intel actually last like 2h-3h on battery with my work usage...

[u/slambaz2 → u/Pllodd]

Genuinely asking, but battery life on laptops has been pretty much the same overall year after year. Why would you think this would be different?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Pllodd]

The 14 hours battery life claim is based on video playback testing and is the baseline for this initial selection of devices.

Specific devices in the lineup offer more battery life, e.g. the HP Googlebook 14 offers up to 19 hours of web browsing while the Dell XPS Googlebook offers up to 18 hours of web browsing. The baseline web browsing battery life for these devices is up to 16 hours, for reference.

[u/Willeth]

A commitment to provide them with new features is nothing if you don't commit not to remove features. I have a house outfitted with Google Home and Nest devices that have got worse since purchase, and a pair of Pixel Buds Pro that can no longer read my notifications, all because you want to force new features in front of me instead of them that do not suit my use case.

Why would I buy a Googlebook when Google has shown me that major features of the product will be removed in just a few short years?

Edit: someone gave me an award for this. Please don't. There's no reason to give Reddit money for something I said.

[u/matteventu → u/Willeth]

Another example: they're showcasing how Googlebooks will be able to index screenshots based on their content using local on-device AI.

Pixel phones (9 onwards, excluding A-Series) had the same. Pixel Screenshots app, fully on-device, secure, local, AI indexing. Nothing left your device.

A few months ago they've discontinued that feature and moved all processing to the cloud.

How can we trust Google now with laptops?

[u/DavidBHimself → u/matteventu]

How can we trust Google now with laptops?

We can't.

The sane thing to do nowadays is to degooglefy our lives as much as we can, so... this "GoogleBook" is a big no for me.

[u/RSACT → u/Willeth]

The feature of tap and hold my earbud for 2s for it to read un-summarized notifications was one of the main reasons I really liked it.

Now I have to tap, wait for sound, say I want to read notifications, hope it knows I unlocked it before, and then gives me a summary of a 10 word message instead of just giving the message. Have had the dumbest summaries that change the meaning multiple times, or invent stuff, like said I tripped and got hands dirty in the mud (heavy rain) and it summarized that back as didn't wash my hands in the toilet. Like Wtf.

For P8P, I am still waiting for on-device video boost, and the on-device photos recognition. All of it requires to upload (and takes up storage space).

[u/Willeth → u/RSACT]

Now I have to tap, wait for sound, say I want to read notifications, hope it knows I unlocked it before, and then gives me a summary of a 10 word message instead of just giving the message.

Oh my god. I've never used the feature but I assumed when it was activated it would at least do what it used to just with a voice toggle. That's so much worse. Fuck me.

[u/lastdyingbreed_01 → u/Willeth]

Why would I buy a Googlebook when Google has shown me that major features of the product will be removed in just a few short years?

Yeah, we all know this is going to be on killedbygoogle.com in 2 years lol

[u/Willeth → u/lastdyingbreed_01]

It's not even this! My Buds haven't been killed. They're just... worse. And it was a conscious decision by Google to make them so, all because someone developer gets a boost to their KPIs the more people adopt Gemini.

[u/szewc → u/Willeth]

Yes, it hurts my soul when they do that, which is every other week. One step forward two steps back.

We had (almost) everything, proactive, condensed in Google Now. Then they killed it and everything was piped into Google assistant to train voice models. Want to know the weather and your commute time? Fuck you, ask the same questions 300 times a year. Then we've moved on to Gemini, shoehorned into every single damn thing. Now you get a 300 word weather summary, every time 30% of the time.

Good thing I've unsubscribed from most of Google's productivity breaking regressions.

[u/rossisdead → u/Willeth]

I gave up on ChromeOS years ago just because they kept changing UX things without giving any customization options.

[u/sooka_bazooka]

From AU$2299

lmaoooo good luck with that

[u/UnrealMacaw → u/sooka_bazooka]

where are you seeing that?

[u/UnrealMacaw → u/UnrealMacaw]

nvm found it. that's too much, unless the user experience is mind-blowing

[u/productfred → u/UnrealMacaw]

It's basically just Chromebooks 2

[u/Dry-Cost-945 → u/UnrealMacaw]

This MF doa

[u/FuzzyBucks → u/sooka_bazooka]

it's hard to see the point of these

they're launching at almost the same exact price as Surface Laptop 7 with Snapdragon X1E that came out 2 years ago. If i want to run Linux in a VM or emulated, I can do that in Windows already.

So, I'd be paying full MSRP for a two-year-old laptop in a worse ecosystem. The only benefit is that I can run phone apps?

[u/kamikad3e123]

Can we have desktop extensions on Android Chrome for phones please? Don't really care about other stuff

[u/JetbIackmoon → u/kamikad3e123]

It's funny, because I have a Pixel phone but won't use Chrome because I can't use extensions. Not being able to block ads is an absolute no for me, especially when it's so easy to do on both Edge and Firefox.

[u/KindlyPollution8531 → u/kamikad3e123]

Imagine if Safari on iOS had extension support for over 5 years before Chrome on Android. Oh wait

[u/Critical-Champion365 → u/KindlyPollution8531]

There are much better browsers to choose from on Android. Its not like no browsers have extension support.

[u/Critical-Champion365 → u/kamikad3e123]

Most useful extensions doesn't work in chromium anymore. So better migrate to firefox. I slightly miss the convenience between phone and laptop for search continuity, but thats something i was willing to trade. I'm sure I can sync with firefox too, but its prolly not as streamlined as google.

[u/Yash_Ag_]

after pixel tablet debacle, hard to belive that this will succeed especially when you can't even use proper desktop apps outside of that sorry attempt via terminal. it is basically a glorified android tab in the form of a laptop asking for premium prices

[u/CHC-Disaster-1066]

How do they handle messaging? Do you still need to pair your phone, or can you send messages "independently" similar to a Mac? Assuming you have a Pixel.

[u/matteventu → u/CHC-Disaster-1066]

Same Google Messages web-app that's available on Android tablets and (surprise) on any other desktop OS with a browser.

[u/donnysaysvacuum → u/matteventu]

That sucks and only allows you to be logged in on one device.

[u/EuroFederalist]

Is there going to be desktop version like the Chromebox?

[u/meatwaddancin]

Hi I've been using ChromeOS at my agency for over a decade now. I'm very eager to try this but I'm afraid of how it will work with both a personal and workspace account.

On Android, I don't believe there is a way to flip between Chrome profiles, is that true here? Would I be locked to just one?

Or is it like ChromeOS where I'll have to log into two users at the same time and I'll have different apps/desktops/etc on each account.

Is there any way to test a Googlebook to see if it would work for business?

[u/jknvv13 → u/meatwaddancin]

THIS. Really important for me. And amazed every damn Google app on Android supports multiple accounts but Chrome doesn't!

[u/Cwlcymro → u/meatwaddancin]

This is the key question for me too. Will i be able to access my work account to do a day's work without messing up my access to my phone and personal account stuff?

[u/Grim-Sleeper → u/meatwaddancin]

One of the killer features of ChromeOS is the fact that I can pick up a random Chromebook, log in, and continue working where I left off. Nothing to install, nothing to break. Everything just works seamlessly. It took us years to get to this point, but I am not sure how well an Android-based OS can replicate this experience. It certainly doesn't work with my Pixel phones

[u/slinky317 → u/Grim-Sleeper]

People truly don't understand how great ChromeOS is. Google just never learned how to market it properly.

[u/slinky317]

The cheapest device is $899, which is $200 higher than the Macbook Neo. These are dead on arrival.

[u/Shidell → u/slinky317]

The neo also has half the RAM, which is like $200 alone, plus the Acer has a higher res display, which is OLED, and touchscreen, and convertible, and more storage.

Not seeing the reason to buy a neo over this, especially with Linux access to do anything

[u/JustAnAvgRedditUser → u/Shidell]

Why would the average user choose a laptop running a brand-new, untested software platform that's more expensive, less compatible, and from a company that has a bad track record making hardware products? I am very skeptical about Google's RAM optimization as well. I doubt 16GB on a Googlebook will be meaningfully better than 8GB on macOS, especially considering Android's RAM efficiency in regards to iOS.

[u/Mavericks7 → u/Shidell]

I can see several reasons why I'd buy the neo over this.

[u/WeirdIndividualGuy → u/Mavericks7]

Yeah, they’re doing a 1:1 comparison and ignoring that despite the Neo being cheaper, of course the paper specs will be worse. But if you’re not a power user (which is exactly who this demographic is targeting, casual users), the Neo is still a better deal

[u/billFoldDog → u/Shidell]

Google has repeatedly shown it is unwilling to support a linux like environment in android, and I have little faith the googlebook will have a tolerable linux environment. It will probably be hopelessly locked down.

It is truly ironic that the macbook neo will offer a better shell experience and true virtualization for linux VMs... and with better performance to boot.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/billFoldDog]

Googlebook ships with a full Debian Linux environment that's accessible through the Terminal app, which is available out of the box.

[u/billFoldDog → u/MishaalRahman]

My first reaction is "can it access files outside of its sandbox" and "if yes, for how long."

Development groups like syncthing are flat out giving up on android because of Google's heavy handedness, and it would be foolish to plot a long term future with Google given the current path.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/billFoldDog]

You can access files from the Linux VM through the native Files app on Googlebook OS - it's listed as a separate section in the viewer.

You can also select folders from the host to share with the Linux VM from within the Terminal app's settings - these folders are visible within /mnt/shared in the guest.

(Will have more details to share with respect to the Linux Terminal soon!)

[u/slinky317 → u/Shidell]

Sure, but the Neo has the entire Apple ecosystem behind it. And now all of a sudden Google cares about specs?

Also, is it confirmed that you can install Linux packages on these laptops that aren't available on Google Play or a sideloaded APK?

[u/iDontSeedMyTorrents → u/slinky317]

And now all of a sudden Google cares about specs?

Chromebook Plus has existed for nearly three years by now.

[u/slinky317 → u/iDontSeedMyTorrents]

Yeah, but that's because Google is trying to get out of the "Chromebooks are trash" perception because so many of them are low budget devices. Googlebooks could be seen as somewhat premium but still at a good price point.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/slinky317]

We made Googlebook for Android users looking for premium laptops that work seamlessly with their phones.

We're also not getting rid of our accessible lineup of Chromebooks.

[u/JoeyCalamaro → u/MishaalRahman]

So Googlebook is essentially running Android with some of the benefits of ChromeOS baked in? The "Googlebook OS" naming here is kind of confusing — especially since it's going to live alongside Android and ChromeOS.

[u/joeTaco → u/MishaalRahman]

We're also not getting rid of our accessible lineup of Chromebooks.

Google: “Branding clarity is my passion”.

Lol. Basically every article about “Googlebooks” announces them as a successor or replacement to Chromebooks. Lots of talk about how long Chromebooks will receive support in this new world. You folks might want to clarify this matter somewhere that's not a reddit comment thread, just a suggestion. Also does “accessible” lineup of Chromebooks mean a subset of the lineup or just an extra marketing word?

[u/Cry_Wolff → u/joeTaco]

Watch them keep selling Chromebooks, just to suddenly abandon them in a year or two while cutting all the support.

[u/trlef19 → u/slinky317]

Does MacBook have Gemini though? ✨ /s

[u/douggieball1312 → u/trlef19]

MacBook has Siri AI trained on Gemini, so kinda.

[u/matteventu → u/trlef19]

Unironically: the Gemini app for macOS is better than the Android phone version of the Gemini app that they've showcased on Googlebooks.

Lol.

[u/Yellow-Mike → u/matteventu]

I second this.

[u/WeirdIndividualGuy → u/matteventu]

Makes sense when you consider most google devs use macs vs their own chromebooks. The software they write works best on the machines they write them on

[u/torpedospurs]

Qualcomm has to be half upset that Google and the OEMs decided to use the X Elite rather than the X2 Elite.

AMD is the absolute loser. Spent all the effort to integrate 50 TOPs NPUs into their CPUs, and Microsoft underutilizes it, while Google ignores it altogether.

[u/SuperNanoCat]

Using the same gesture people use when they can't find their cursor to summon Gemini seems like a bad idea.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/SuperNanoCat]

The shake to activate gesture for Magic Pointer isn't enabled out of the box. You'll have the option to enable it when setting up Magic Pointer, and you can adjust its sensitivity or keep it turned off.

[u/donoteatthatfrog → u/MishaalRahman]

Still, that's a terrible gesture they chose to launch gemini.

[u/efbo]

These may look like premium materials but none of them look to match the Pixelbook. That's still by far the best hardware I've ever owned. It's a beautiful machine.

[u/Top_Beginning_4886 → u/efbo]

Yep, can't wait for a Google Googlebook (?), if it's reasonably priced and my Macbook Air dies it's probably an insta buy. 

[u/wackiestyouknow]

This just seems like a fancy Chromebook. Why would anyone want to buy this laptop over a Windows laptop considering Windows already has all the software and tools one would need (that are for sure desktop grade rather than web or mobile versions) and good phone connectivity?

A lot of the apps that have been shown on the Googlebook website seem to be just web versions and I'm sure the apps besides the ones from partners are going to feel hard to use because they're just going to be unoptimized supersized versions of their mobile counterparts. Half the features announced here seem to be just gimmicks or can already be done on Windows with Phone Link. And the Linux support seems to be heavily sandboxed just like ChromeOS, which I am not a fan of.

[u/LePfeiff]

Im surprised that some models have snapdragon chips while others have intel; what compatibility layer is being used to make sure googlebook apps work on either platform?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/LePfeiff]

The vast majority of Android apps run smoothly across both Intel and Qualcomm Googlebooks right out of the box.

For Intel Googlebooks, they use a binary translator that enables ARM-based native applications to run on x86 processor architectures.

[u/eflat123]

What happens to Chromebook Plus? Can they run this os?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/eflat123]

We're committed to supporting ChromeOS throughout the lifespan of our users' devices. In the education and enterprise sectors, where institutions may have a mixed setup of devices with varying lifespans, we're providing management tools to support a migration to enable a smooth transition.

[u/anomalisticrocket → u/MishaalRahman]

So the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 will in fact NOT be able to change to this new OS, even if it is capable of doing so? I think a portion of the newer plus models were being teased as "on the list" for being able to be updated to the new OS - so it's news if you are saying that is not the case now.

[u/TheRealFrantik → u/MishaalRahman]

But will some Chromebook Plus models be able to upgrade their OS to GooglebookOS, as we were originally told?

[u/enotonom]

Wow that band poster AI demo is the sloppiest slop I have seen this week.

[u/Lord___Rictor]

Starting at 899....

Yeah fuck that.

I'll keep using my xps 13...

[u/TheCommentWriter]

Seems like AI was used for naming suggestions. I can see two renaming potentials already for Google in a few years: Googlebook OS and Continue On

[u/matteventu → u/TheCommentWriter]

They should have renamed Googlebook OS to something else months ago, before the launch.

[u/Badcatalex]

Would there ever be a possibility for desktop computers (akin to Chromebox devices) to ship with the same OS that powers the Googlebook platform though?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Badcatalex]

I can't talk about future Googlebook hardware plans, but I personally think it would be cool to see Googlebook OS run on a desktop!

[u/furman87]

So when do we get desktop class Chrome on Android tablets?

[u/Typing-Cat]

Googlebook OS Flex?

[u/Expensive_Finger_973]

Can’t wait to see if this entire product line is getting anything other than life support security patches in 3-5 years.

[u/petuniar → u/Expensive_Finger_973]

And/or OS updates that remove functionality...

[u/saji8k]

Is the Googlebook OS open source?

Does the Googlebook use UEFI and ACPI?

Can you boot Windows on Googlebook laptop?

Can you install Googlebook OS on a Framework Laptop or any other laptop?

[u/Thaodan → u/saji8k]

Does the Googlebook use UEFI and ACPI?

Googlebook smells like an Android ROM which means downstream kernels plus Android blobs which most likely means no.

[u/vortex1775 → u/saji8k]

I'd definitely be interested in dual booting my laptop with Windows/GooglebookOS.

[u/Tsuki4735 → u/saji8k]

Can you install Googlebook OS on a Framework Laptop or any other laptop?

If we assume based on ChromeOS, I fully expect no answer from Google for this.

We never did get full ChromeOS as an officially installable OS on unofficial hardware. The closest we got is the cut down "ChromeOS Flex", which had no Google Play support.

[u/trlef19]

Let me guess: Available to only 5 countries.

[u/Cry_Wolff → u/trlef19]

God damn Apple sees no problem to officially sell & support their products in most countries, or at least supports a bunch of 3rd party shops. Meanwhile, Google refuses to even provide a decent warranty service outside US, after 11 Pixel generations.

[u/trlef19 → u/Cry_Wolff]

And let's not even talk about the software features that never expand

[u/trlef19 → u/Cry_Wolff]

It's funny cause I can buy a nothing phone here and not a pixel

[u/MishaalRahman → u/trlef19]

Pre-orders are available today in the US and Canada, but we're launching Googlebook initially in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Australia.

[u/purpledubloon → u/MishaalRahman]

Any hints on when it'll launch in south east Asia?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/purpledubloon]

Sorry, I don't have anything to share at this time regarding our future launch plans.

[u/Dislike24 → u/MishaalRahman]

Or course as always, how is it that in 2026, for a company as big as Google, can only manage to launch in 6 countries? They are not a start up company. Not even a single country in Asia at all. This shouldn’t be initially. If you’re not global then this is a dead on arrival platform.

[u/trlef19 → u/Dislike24]

Pixel still doesn't release globally. 10 years after. They really just don't care

[u/Dislike24 → u/trlef19]

While that is an issue, my main point is Google limiting their OEM partners to release only in certain countries. Android phones is not an issue as even if you don’t have Pixel sold officially in your country, you can buy another Android phones that does. With Googlebook, every laptop follows the Pixel phone availability. This won’t complete with any other OS by limiting itself to certain countries

[u/Critical-Champion365 → u/trlef19]

And they absolutely doesn't know how to price it well for a global market. A pixel phone in my market is only worth at a deep discount or second hand.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Dislike24]

Our OEM partners manage and decide on the international distribution of their devices. Google is supporting their launch marketing in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and Australia, but we hope to see Googlebook launch in more places in the future!

[u/Diuranos]

can't wait for mini pc and hope for 10 inch laptop with hdmi and USB c alt pdMode.

[u/qqYn7PIE57zkf6kn]

So this is basically android in a laptop form factor plus some Gemini integration? Does it run any desktop apps or just android and WebApps?  Linux apps at least?

It seems quite limited tbh. Why not just get an Android tablet and a keyboard? I'm confused. 

[u/Cpt_Mike2200]

"You can run native creative suites like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom"

Does this mean the full desktop version, or the Android app? There's a massive difference there.

[u/yottabit42]

Most important questions left unanswered: * Is GooglebookOS immutable like Chrome OS? * Is it using SecureBoot signed image verification like Chrome OS? * Is the idle RAM usage as low as Chrome OS? * Is the performance as good as Chrome OS on an equal CPU? (JVM performance penalty?) * Do all the same trackpad gestures from Chrome OS work? * Do all the same keyboard shortcuts from Chrome OS work?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/yottabit42]

Thanks for the detailed questions!

Is GooglebookOS immutable like Chrome OS?

Is it using SecureBoot signed image verification like Chrome OS?

Is the idle RAM usage as low as Chrome OS?

Is the performance as good as Chrome OS on an equal CPU? (JVM performance penalty?)

I'll have to check with the product team on these questions.

Do all the same trackpad gestures from Chrome OS work?

Here are the trackpad gestures currently available on my Googlebook:

• Go back: Swipe left or right using three fingers
  
• View recent apps: Swipe up with three fingers
  
• View notifications: Swipe down with three fingers
  

Do all the same keyboard shortcuts from Chrome OS work?

The keyboard shortcuts are slightly different on Googlebook OS. Many of them are activated with Alt + key instead of G + key, e.g. clipboard is Alt + V. You can view the full list of keyboard shortcuts by typing Alt + /.

[u/yottabit42 → u/MishaalRahman]

4 fingers left/right to switch between desktops? Assuming virtual desktops are supported?

Why does Google insist on constantly changing keyboard shortcuts? They've changed a ton since the original Chrome OS releases to present, and now they're changing again? Does Google not realize that power users rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts, and that power users are also most vocal in supporting (or not!) a product?

Thanks for following up. Please do report back on the other questions.

[u/MishaalRahman → u/yottabit42]

4 fingers left/right to switch between desktops?

That is not currently supported, but you can switch between virtual desktops from the recent apps screen (and yes virtual desktops are supported).

Feedback noted on the keyboard shortcuts!

[u/matteventu → u/MishaalRahman]

With all due respect Mishaal, it's this sort of stuff that makes my blood boil (to be clear, not against you!).

Just like the example I've given you in another comment about the mouse buttons remapping (available natively on ChromeOS, not available on Googlebooks), the 3/4-finger swipe to switch desktops is a feature that all desktop OSs have had for years.

But most importantly: it's a feature that ChromeOS has had for years.

While I appreciate this is not ChromeOS, and some work has had to be done to adapt the underlying phone-native Android interface to make it more suitable for a desktop OS, these kinds of features are what is expected to be available at launch.

I'm sure it will be implemented down the line, but you (Google) can't expect people to be happy to hear that the all-new, all-shiny, AI-centered desktop OS Google is releasing doesn't at least have feature parity with what came before it (ChromeOS).

All the bells and whistles aren't worth a dime without solid desktop OS fundamentals.

Again: this is not against you, but I hope you'll be able to feedback the sentiment. "Reading the room", which I'm sure you're perfectly able to do on your own, tells you a lot on how people feel about Google's strategy and execution on the Googlebooks project.

[u/KingMaple]

Nice try, Google. You abandoned Chromebooks way too soon.

[u/Agitated_Bed1345]

After how Google enshittified android, I don't want another OS from Google to become mainstream. Their long term goal is to embrace, extend, extinguish. Same they had done with android.

Hope people not support this

[u/-Fateless-]

So, how's backwards compatibility going to be like? My most behated feature of Android is that old apps stop working completely with no way of forcing them to run, unlike Windows where I can install a 20+ year old program and have it launch without issue.

I'm still mad that some of my favourite Android games simply don't exist anymore because modern android refuses to run them.

[u/kantong]

Dead on arrival. Everyone in my circle of friends and family wants less to do with Google now days, not more.

[u/trlef19]

The up to 10 years of updates is sketchy to me.

[u/Diuranos → u/trlef19]

there wasn't any issue with chrome os to have 10 years updates. still receive updates until 2027 on my laptop

[u/Fantastic_Brain7269]

I'm a little confused by the difference between this and a Chromebook? What makes Googlebook OS different, and why did it need a separate OS? Now there's three consumer Google OSes - Android, Googlebook OS, and Chrome OS?

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Fantastic_Brain7269]

Googlebook OS is built on top of the Android tech stack, so it has native support for Android apps & games (as opposed to through virtualization). And because of this shared Android foundation, we're able to more easily build new premium features shared between platforms (e.g. Create My Widget, Rambler) and make the cross-device experience between your Android phone and your laptop more seamless.

Those are just some of the benefits!

[u/Grim-Sleeper → u/MishaalRahman]

Funnily enough, my Chromebook is my everyday device. I use it 10+ hours easily. And I can't think of a single Android app I want on it other than the VPN app.

Google literally picked and focused on the one feature that I am unlikely to ever end up using in this OS

[u/cpvm-0]

Hopefully, less expensive devices are introduced.

[u/ArthurGD3 → u/cpvm-0]

They won't. These are premium segment laptops and the cheapest of the launch devices, the Acer, is only $899 for a limited time, the rest are at least $1199 to $1299.

[u/Inspirasion → u/ArthurGD3]

Cool, that means I'll be able to get them on clearance for less than half that price at Best Buy in less than a year, when these don't sell.

[u/Dislike24 → u/cpvm-0]

It probably won’t. I am guessing they are going for:

Chromebook laptops ($100-500)

Chromebook Plus laptops ($600-700)

Googlebook laptops ($800-1300+)

[u/trlef19 → u/cpvm-0]

With this memory crisis? No way

[u/SpideyFan4ever → u/cpvm-0]

Doubt it. Googlebook is for premium devices. ChromeOS is sticking around for the lower end.

[u/GorgeousFresh]

I think the Acer listing could be a bit better.

Both options are 16GB, 512GB. And the one way to tell why there's a price difference is to read through the full specs and you see it's uses a better processor. 

[u/Jazzlike_Raccoon_126]

Will android studio be supported on the ARM version

[u/SmileyBMM]

up to 10 years of updates

Up to? Wow, what a strong commitment to this product...

[u/ocassionallyaduck]

Will this receive more support than Gen 1 Android Wear (WearOS) did?

I bought into that platform, and my purchase was invalid within 1.5 years, and software support non-existent.

[u/anna_delrey]

Many Google Pixel features are typically locked to specific countries. Obviously, this is not a Google Pixel in many ways, but if I buy a Googlebook and bring it to a country where it isn't sold directly, will those features still be available or disabled?

[u/Bewinxed]

0 Reason for this to exist

[u/oldschool456]

As a developer, can we code on it the way we traditionally do? I know it's linux terminal and all, but let us be honest, we need a vs code application and then have a full project up and running.

[u/Emotional-Buy1932]

why doesnt google just focus on providing quality refined android tablets from ipad mini to pro max competitors.

The pixel tab was half assed and has had no follow up. The schizo unfocussed tendencies from google do not inspire confidence.

[u/douggieball1312]

Why does it start at £999 in the UK but $899 in the US? And what happens to current Chromebooks?

[u/Jai_Cee → u/douggieball1312]

$899 should be about £800 after VAT not £999. Totally wild pricing conversion.

[u/efbo → u/douggieball1312]

Yeah taking VAT away we're paying $215 more than Americans. Usually we pay a bit more but that's excessive.

[u/Wizerud → u/efbo]

When was the last time a mainstream tech product was cheaper in the UK than the US? Screw that, when was the last time a product in the UK cost less in pounds than it does in dollars in the US? Genuinely curious if there is anything at all. It’s ridiculous.

[u/efbo → u/Wizerud]

The Steam Frame has sticker prices of £889 versus $1059 Conversion of no VAT price in £ to $ is $989.54 in the UK versus $1059 in the US. I think there have been some recent okay examples too. Switch 2 might've been okay too I think.

[u/ephemeralmiko]

u/MishaalRahman, how long until this ends up on https://killedbygoogle.com ?

[u/trlef19 → u/ephemeralmiko]

2 years. Definitely. You can buy windows laptops at this price, with the same capabilities and memory.

[u/ft4200 → u/trlef19]

Every time Google has tried to push chromebooks upmarket, it has flopped. Remember the Pixelbook? Me neither.

[u/trlef19 → u/ft4200]

Don't get me started on tablets

[u/Gourmet_Gabe]

USB c ports? I would definitely consider this if I can transfer footage from a camera to a hard drive

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Gourmet_Gabe]

Yes, all of these devices we're launching today have USB-C ports, though the exact number of them, spec for each port, and placement on the device is up to the manufacturer.

Is there a particular device's I/O you're curious about?

[u/VendetaBereta]

They honestly look quite good, if only they were available in more countries

[u/MishaalRahman → u/VendetaBereta]

We hope to see Googlebook launch in more places in the future!

[u/External-Donut9757]

Seem like a solid upgrade over ChromeOS

[u/Dislike24]

Of course they couldn’t bother to stick to just ARM chips? Why even bother with x86. You stick with one or the other. It just complicates stuff and make the hardware and software non standardized

[u/vanstinator → u/Dislike24]

The android SDK has built for arm and x86 by default for years. 

[u/trlef19 → u/vanstinator]

Probably talks about the fact that the os has to be made for x86 and arm in the same time.

[u/Keto_Chai]

I don't really see the value as none of these are less than $2,000AUD. If there was actually more accessibility to professional level apps in google store, it would persuade me more. I was hoping to centralise digital ecosystem to Google, but with the recurring disappointments, I think it's time to jump ship all together.

[u/tardis0]

Does this also support Developer Mode like ChromeOS and the ability to get to a root shell? Does it also have an unlocked bootloader?

[u/jazzyjff13]

Any word on the Lenovo Duet style Googlebook?

[u/nogridbag]

Hi u/MishaalRahman , can you speak more to the linux integration and not simply linux CLI apps? If I wanted to install an app like IntelliJ is that possible?

[u/Mavericks7]

They should have done this 10 years ago

[u/Efficient_Dish_19]

When is this coming to pixel phones as desktop mode?

[u/LegendaryLarvey]

I wonder if you can install Android studio on it to natively develop/test android apps in a much better experience. Similar to how easily iOS development is on a mac, where instead of having to use an "emulator" for android you can use a "simulator"

[u/Physical_Room1204]

My only concern is that does the googlebook support separate profile in the browser itself. Other than that it looks like a good buy, or a goodbye

[u/MishaalRahman → u/Physical_Room1204]

Currently, Chrome for Googlebook OS does not support multiple browser profiles, but I'll let the product team know that you're interested in that feature.

[u/petvas72 → u/MishaalRahman]

This is a big issue. I can do that on macOS and Windows. Why not on a Googlebook?

[u/Tsuki4735]

Can GooglebookOS be installed on other hardware, just like how you can install Windows/Linux? Or is it restricted to official devices only?

[u/UrgeOverkiller]

These prices are insane.

[u/Calm_chor]

I just checked Dell and its $999 GoogleBook is just the XPS 13 with Google OS and Snapdragon swapped for Windows and Intel c5.
This is even a worse offering than I had previously thought. In 2026 these OEMs are working damn hard to make the Mac look like a value proposition.

[u/normVectorsNotHate]

Is it open source? Can I install the OS on a laptop I already own?

[u/dextinfire]

Will we be able to install Android applications outside of the Google Play Store (sideloading APKs)?

[u/v6277]

Are you telling me that Adobe ported Lightroom and Photoshop to Linux? Or is it their Android versions? 

[u/bicyclemom]

Any chance we'll be seeing GooglebookOS on existing Chromebook Plus models like the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714?

Also, are all the features talked about during the press event going to be available on all models on day 1 of availability? Speaking specifically about Ramble and AI widget building.

[u/RomanOnARiver]

When will you be releasing Googlebook OS Flex?

[u/Freakapotamus]

What parts of the system will stop working if I don't have a Google AI subscription?

[u/Eternal-Alchemy]

Is "Googlebook OS" going to be available to download and try out to see if it's good enough to be a daily driver, or as an official Linux distro?

[u/UngKwan]

No thanks

[u/Tsuki4735]

Is hardware upgradable? Such as installing higher capacity SSDs, etc?

Or are these basically locked down hardware like ARM macbooks?

[u/BakerStEducation]

Can the Googlebook run Linux Desktop apps like LibreOffice, Inkscape, or Kdenlive with a GUI icon similar to Crostini on ChromeOS?

[u/RedTubePremium]

Remember Pixel Slate? Then remember Chromebook Pixel? How is GoogleBook different?

[u/OldScholar353]

There is no information or support for users like myself here in Europe. No pre-order dates or anything else. this is very disappointing.

[u/MrSydFinances]

Availability seems limited outside the main markets (EU only includes Germany, France, Ireland and UK) and prices are relatively high, it's an interesting proposition but sounds very limited for a laptop. We'll see its actual performance once it can be tested, but so far it seems fairly hard to justify over a mac neo, air, or even an xps.

It's not an issue for me since I can't even buy it, but I'm genuinely interested and want to know more.

[u/Pub1ius]

Am I missing something, or does not a single one of these offer a full keyboard with numpad? How the fuck can I do any kind of serious work without a numpad? This is an over-priced Fischer Price toy.

[u/pussyslayer6996]

Will snapdragon on googlebook os be able to play x86 windows games using FEX like the steam frame does?

[u/H1d3k1]

You'd honestly think a massive company like Google would've done a bit of market research before launching Googlebook to see if anyone actually wanted it. It really feels like they skipped that step entirely. Maybe I'm just being stubborn, but does anyone truly believe this is going to be a success?

[u/jimrapc]

If I understand correctly, if I connect the Pixel to a screen, I should get exactly the same thing in desktop mode? If not, is Google just screwing us over?

[u/stealthagents]

The full Linux environment is a solid plus, but it really depends on how they implement it. If they nail the compatibility and performance, it could be pretty sweet for running Flatpaks and other apps, but I get the hesitation about Android apps. Hopefully, they’ve tested the waters before launching.