Are we sure this is not just another Chromebook?
During the Google I/O, Google announced several new products, including the Googlebook. The new laptop appears to be a replacement for the ageing Chromebook, which launched 15 years ago. While the latter uses Google Chrome as the primary user interface, the new GoogleBook uses Android complete with Gemini Intelligence, an upgraded version of Gemini AI many of us are familiar with, also announced during this year’s I/O. We will discuss that in another article.
While the Chromebook is geared for educational institutions, and those looking for a lightweight laptop for work, the Googlebook (yes, not “Google Books”) is intended for premium users, like those using mainstream Windows laptops. Also, just like Windows-based laptops, various manufacturers like Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo, can make their own branded Googlebook with Google’s strict requirements.
Googlebook vs Chromebook
Chromebooks were released in May 2011 and began shipping in July of the same year. The main feature of a Chromebook is that it uses Google Chrome to work for everything, including web games and Google’s own office suite like Sheets and Slides. It is mainly used by schools because they are affordable, lightweight, and easy to navigate. If you’ve heard of the eeePC or the $100 laptop, then the Chromebook is a more advanced version of those.
Although Google assures users that Chromebooks aren’t being phased out, we are expecting them to be, given their age, as many users now rely on AI assistants to smoothly handle workflows. The company has pledged to support Chromebooks until at least 2034. Fair enough, as Google isn’t the kind of company to shy away on discontinuing their products or services. In fact, there is a dedicated website, the Killed by Google, that lists what products Google already have thrown out the window.
Now, speaking of Googlebook, unlike the Chromebook which was budget-friendly, the newly announced laptops are intended to be a lot more premium and sleeker, running with Gemini Intelligence and Android at the helm. So, this one is Google’s belated answer to the MacBook and its ecosystem with the iPhone.
Googlebook Features:
One of the highlights of the Googlebook is the Magic Pointer. This feature turns your regular cursor into an AI assistant. This type of cursor was developed with Google DeepMind. If a user wiggles the cursor a bit, it will “wake up” and can read on-screen text for you, set dates, or analyze images. It’s essentially a desktop version of Google Lens and more.
Another feature Google highlighted is the custom widgets function. Although, this one may be different than the one you’re used to. Gemini can now generate custom widgets based on the prompt you give it. In shorter terms, it’s like generative AI imagery, and probably costs as much RAM as generating images from an AI tool.
Google takes inspiration from Apple’s ecosystem as now you can seamlessly use your Android phone and Googlebook together. If you open an app, you can drag it to the Googlebook provided the two are connected on the same network.
We mentioned earlier that Google is putting strict implementations to partner manufacturers to bring the Googlebook to the masses. The main distinguishing feature that these laptops must have is the so-called “glowbar” with Google’s primary colors. Previously, Chromebooks had the Google Chrome logo, so you know that it is indeed a Chromebook. The Googlebook goes for a much more minimalistic yet sophisticated look. It is expected that the new laptops will arrive sometime this fall
Source: Google, Googlebook, Inquirer
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