Goodbye Chromebook: Google introduces the Android-based Googlebook platform (and plays up AI capabilities, of course)

Almost exactly 15 years after introducing the Chromebook platform, Google is revealing what comes next. Say goodbye the the Linux-based operating system built around a web browser and hello to… an Android-based operating that puts Google’s Gemini AI features front and center.

But while Google is positioning the new Googlebook platform as an OS “designed for intelligence,” it still has a full-fledged, desktop-class version of the Chrome web browser, complete with support for plugins. So you can basically use it like a Chromebook if you want.

Over the years, Google added more and more features to ChromeOS including support for Android apps and the ability to run native Linux apps. But those always felt like clunky, imperfect add-ons that didn’t always work perfectly.

Moving to an Android-based operating system with a desktop-like user interface not only means that most Android apps should run without issue, but Google says it also brings “a much better experience when you have multiple devices,” by not only letting you keep your data and notifications synchronized across devices, but also letting you run the exact same apps on both devices, letting you easily pick up on your Googlebook where you left off on your phone, or vice versa.

Of course, Android apps that aren’t really designed for laptop (or tablet)-sized screens might still open in small, phone-shaped windows. But at least they should be supported.

We’ve seen a lot of third-party solutions to turn Android into a laptop or desktop operating system over the years. Some have been more successful than others. But now that Google has baked a taskbar/dock and desktop-style windowing system into Android, I can see how it doesn’t really make sense for the company to keep supporting Android and ChromeOS as separate operating systems.

As for those AI features? Google is baking Gemini capabilities directly into the operating system. For example, there’s a new Magic Pointer that lets you wiggle your mouse cursor to ask Google’s AI service for contextual suggestions. Google says if you do this with a date in an email, Gemini will offer to set up a meeting for you. Or if you do it with two pictures you can get options to combine or compare them.

There’s also a feature that lets you create custom widgets by using Geminin to connect data from multiple apps into “one personalized dashboard.”

Google says it’s been working with companies including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo on Googlebooks, with the first models expected to launch later this year. Pricing information hasn’t been revealed yet, but it sounds like Google is trying to move past the association between “Chromebooks” and “cheap.” The company says “every Googlebook will be built with premium craftsmanship and materials, coming in a variety of shapes and services,” and a brief teaser video shows a laptop with a thin and light design, a fingerprint sensor, and other premium features.

Google also says that every model will have “glowbar” that puts an RGB light strip on the lid. That’s not a new idea – the 2015 Google Chromebook Pixel has a similar feature. But that was also Google’s first attempt at making a premium laptop, so it’s noteworthy that Google says all upcoming Googlebook models will have the RGB lights.

More details about hardware specs, pricing, and software features should be revealed closer to launch.