As we discussed earlier this week, Better Together features aren't working between Googlebook and newer Android 17 Samsung devices just yet. Rather than let our early testing stall while waiting on an update from Samsung, I temporarily shelved my usual daily driver and moved my SIM card into a Pixel … [Read more...] about Googlebook’s ‘Rambler’ feature is the biggest speech-to-text upgrade I’ve ever used
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Will Android apps struggle on Intel Googlebooks? Google and Intel offer different answers
One of the longest-running headaches in the ChromeOS era was the awkward divide between Intel (x86) and ARM processors when it came to running Android applications. ARM chips handled them more natively, while Intel chips had to rely on extra translation layers that often resulted in sluggish … [Read more...] about Will Android apps struggle on Intel Googlebooks? Google and Intel offer different answers
Luminar and Fantastical bring premium, desktop-class apps to Googlebook
One of the biggest lingering questions surrounding the launch of Googlebook has been app support. While the platform runs native Android apps via the Play Store, scaling mobile applications to a desktop-sized screen doesn't always yield the best results. However, right out of the gate, we are … [Read more...] about Luminar and Fantastical bring premium, desktop-class apps to Googlebook
Android gaming on Googlebook is already hitting a frustratingly familiar roadblock
When Google announced that Googlebook OS was built directly on modern Android foundations, one of the first thoughts running through my head (and likely millions of other mobile gamers’ heads) was, not surprisingly: finally, Android games on a Google laptop are just going to work. No more weird … [Read more...] about Android gaming on Googlebook is already hitting a frustratingly familiar roadblock
Real desktop widgets and shortcuts on the Googlebook desktop are refreshing
For the past 24 hours, I’ve been putting our initial launch fleet of Googlebooks through the ringer. There's so much to learn and discover with a completely new OS, so I'm constantly falling off task to test, tinker, and investigate every nook and cranny I can find in Googlebook OS. This is a … [Read more...] about Real desktop widgets and shortcuts on the Googlebook desktop are refreshing
Googlebook ‘Better Together’ doesn’t work with Samsung phones, but will soon
As Googlebooks land on doorsteps and store shelves, one of the biggest day-one promises of Googlebook OS is its seamless continuity with Android phones. From notification syncing to app streaming, shared clipboards, and cross-device file access, the suite of Better Together features is meant to make … [Read more...] about Googlebook ‘Better Together’ doesn’t work with Samsung phones, but will soon
The Googlebook era is here: some first impressions of the hardware and a whole new OS
Today is the day. After months of tracking code commits, dissecting leaks, and getting that unforgettable first taste at Google’s media showcase in New York City, Googlebooks are officially landing on doorsteps and retail shelves. Our review units were quite literally all dropped off minutes ago, … [Read more...] about The Googlebook era is here: some first impressions of the hardware and a whole new OS
Why a leaked Samsung Android laptop on Geekbench likely isn’t a Googlebook
With the retail debut of Googlebook just a few days away, anticipation around the ecosystem is continuing to grow. Over the last 24 hours, a fascinating benchmark listing has made the rounds. Originally spotted on Geekbench, a Samsung device carrying model number XE940XSA surfaced running Android … [Read more...] about Why a leaked Samsung Android laptop on Geekbench likely isn’t a Googlebook
Enter to win a brand new Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook with the Kompanio 540
With all the buzz surrounding the imminent launch of Googlebook hardware, a lot of people have been asking what this new era means for existing Chromebooks. In our latest video breaking down the future of ChromeOS, we made one thing crystal clear: Chromebooks aren't going anywhere, and these … [Read more...] about Enter to win a brand new Lenovo Slim 3 Chromebook with the Kompanio 540
Google introduces Gemini 4 Argon, pushing frontier AI into complex, real-world tasks
Google DeepMind has officially unveiled its next major frontier model: Gemini 4 Argon. While consumer artificial intelligence over the past couple of years has largely centered on conversational chatbots, image generation, and quick writing assistance, Argon is engineered for a completely different … [Read more...] about Google introduces Gemini 4 Argon, pushing frontier AI into complex, real-world tasks
Henry Cavill is partnering with Google to build a video game on Googlebook
Celebrity tech endorsements are usually predictable, safe, and entirely forgettable. A famous face holds up a phone on an Instagram reel, smiles next to a laptop in a glossy print ad, and everyone goes about their day knowing full well they probably went straight back to their personal setup the … [Read more...] about Henry Cavill is partnering with Google to build a video game on Googlebook
Google is quietly ditching the ‘Spark’ brand to merge tasks directly into Gemini
Since Google first introduced Gemini Spark as its autonomous, 24/7 background AI agent, the tech and the execution have been really impressive. The ability to hand off complex, multi-step actions across Gmail, Google Calendar, and Drive, or set recurring autonomous schedules feels like a big step … [Read more...] about Google is quietly ditching the ‘Spark’ brand to merge tasks directly into Gemini
