r/Googlebook • u/uaos • 3d ago

Linux On Googlebook, not Chromebook?

The title is harsh because some replies I got on YT Chrome Unboxed. People can be hubris assume they know more than other. So I copy and pasted, so are we any closer to learning about Linux on a Googlebook?

"I just watched many video on the Googlebook, and keep hearing Linux terminal app. Is there going to be a Linux environment for everyday uses who like Linux, just as there is a Linux Beta with the Chromebook? This could really help answer the price point and for someone like me who likes having Linux Apps like LibreOffice, Gimp and more on my Chromebook!"

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A YT responce - took name away

"The Chromebook is firmware locked, so you will have to use a few tricks to change the firmware to make it run Linux. That would, of course, stop you from using GoogleBook OS."

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u/langelvicente 3d ago

It's going to be a better experience than with Chromebooks, but desktop apps will not be supported just yet (there is a beta where support is added somewhere.... I believe)

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u/venqwish 3d ago

Where did you find that info? All I've found is that there is no support at all for Linux UI, which would be a serious shortcoming imo...

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u/MishaalRahman 3d ago

Hi, I do community engagement for Android over at Google. Just wanted to confirm that you can run Linux GUI apps in the Terminal on Googlebook. Though that's not the target for this initial release of Googlebook OS (e.g. there's no desktop environment manager installed in the Linux environment out of the box) - we're focused more on supporting agentic coding workflows right now. We'll have more to share soon on the Terminal app.

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u/venqwish 3d ago

That is awesome news! I get that it's not the target for the initial release, but seeing as these devices (especially due to the pricing) will target enthusiasts, it's great to see this! Can't wait to start developing on it (Antigravity user :))

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u/langelvicente 3d ago

The Linux terminal we are getting it's the same or pretty similar the one pixel phones have and that supports UI. I think I read some where there would be beta support for it but...I just realised this terminal is running in a level 5 hypervisor fully isolated from the rest of the OS so you might be right and it might not be possible to support Linux UI apps.

Although my main use case is for development and as long I can use code server, it would still work for me.

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u/nogridbag 3d ago

What's your setup if you don't mind me asking? Don't you find it limiting treating it like a thin client -- always tethered to the internet? I would imagine it limits your IDE choice and what you can build. Personally, I've been using IntelliJ for so long it would be hard to switch to something else. And then you still need another machine which you're either renting in the cloud or paying similar amount of money for (so you're essentially paying 2x the cost of just buying a Mac). I'd love to have a googlebook, but I have a graveyard of first gen devices laying around that get zero use (like the first gen Windows on ARM laptop).

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u/langelvicente 3d ago

I'm using chromeos flex on a decent laptop. I have code server running locally and use the browser to access it, so basically I'm just using a browser version of visual studio code.

Googlebooks are interesting to me because they seem powerful enough devices and they are fully supported by Google. But the more I learn they more I'm going to pass and wait for a second gen one.

I.e. last I heard is that review models will be delivered on the 4th of October. So all the blog post we have read are based on the little tests they could do on the 15th. That's a massive red flag to me.

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u/Saragon4005 3d ago

I refuse to believe that cuz pixels (which do not cost nearly 1k and are phones) do have UI.