Googlebooks are the Android-based evolution of the Chromebook - Engadget

"Google today confirmed a new laptop-focused initiative called Googlebooks. ChromeOS, which launched more than 15 years ago, was built with the thought that most people do everything online now; Google says this new category of laptops is built for a Gemini-first world. The company only gave us a very brief preview of what makes up a Googlebook, with plans to more formally announce more details including hardware later this year."

"The OS running on Googlebooks has its origins in Android, something we've been hearing about for several years now. Of course, Chromebooks have supported app streaming from Android phones since 2023, but Google says that building the OS from the ground up on Android will allow for a lot closer integration between Googlebooks and Android phones. It'll also enable the company to develop and implement Android features on laptops much easier than it can currently do with ChromeOS."

"Since ChromeOS was basically just a browser to start with, Google has had to graft a lot of features like Quick Share and Phone Hub to make the system work better with Android - that won't be the case with Googlebooks. As such, Google is pushing more robust Android integration with Googlebooks. There's a new Quick Access feature that'll show your compatible Android phone in the sidebar of the file browser, giving you immediate access to everything stored on it that you might want to share on your laptop."

"The new “Create Your Widget” feature coming to Android 17 is present here, as well. This lets you build a dashboard of related files and information from Gmail, Calendar and other Google apps to keep a project or event all in one easily accessible place. Googlebooks will also offer a streamlined way to view apps from your Android phone on your laptop. Like I said, ChromeOS has offered app streaming for a while already, but this implementation seems a lot simpler."

Google confirmed a laptop-focused initiative called Googlebooks built for a Gemini-first world. The operating system is based on Android, enabling tighter integration with Android phones than current ChromeOS-based Chromebooks. Building from the ground up on Android is expected to make it easier to add Android features to laptops. ChromeOS previously required adding extra capabilities such as Quick Share and Phone Hub to work well with Android phones. Googlebooks introduces Quick Access to show a compatible phone in the file browser sidebar for immediate access to shareable phone content. It also includes “Create Your Widget,” allowing a dashboard of related files and information from Gmail, Calendar, and other Google apps. The platform also provides a streamlined way to view Android phone apps on a laptop.

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