Google has officially rolled out its Googlebook platform, merging ChromeOS and Android into a single desktop operating system with deep Android phone integration, Gemini AI features, and a widget-creation tool. Five laptops from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are launching alongside the platform, all starting with at least 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, and claimed 14+ hour battery life. The devices go on sale in the US starting October 4, with the Acer Googlebook 14 priced from $899 as the cheapest and only convertible option.
Google has unveiled a new generation of Chromebooks that borrow design cues associated with Apple's MacBooks while embedding AI features throughout the operating system, extending even to cursor interactions. The update signals a maturation of the Chromebook platform beyond its budget-laptop origins.
Google introduced Googlebooks, a new laptop platform built on Android rather than ChromeOS, though it looks and functions similarly with the same app dock, Chrome browser and Play Store access. The system retains Chromebook staples like the Titan security chip and built-in malware protection, but adds deeper phone-to-laptop integration, including instant login syncing and app handoff features like 'continue on,' demonstrated with the music app BandLab.
Google is launching a new laptop family called Googlebook, paired with what it calls an 'intelligence system' rather than a traditional OS, built to integrate with Android devices and offer AI-driven productivity features. Five initial models from partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo will be available, with pre-orders starting September 21 and retail launches on October 4-5 across the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Australia. Prices for the lineup range from $899 to $1,299 depending on the model.
Apple's latest Mac mini keeps the same compact redesign introduced with the M4 generation but swaps in the new M6 chip. The entry configuration with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage now costs $899, a $300 jump from the $599 starting price of the 2024 M4 model with identical specs. Apple attributes the increase to a global memory shortage affecting RAM and storage pricing.
A CNET writer compared cooking bacon in a frying pan, oven and air fryer, and found the air fryer delivered the crispiest, most evenly cooked results with minimal splatter and cleanup. The pan method produced curled strips and required constant attention to avoid grease splatter, while the oven method reduced mess but demanded more prep work.
Google unveiled its new Googlebook laptop lineup, a hybrid of ChromeOS and Android built by hardware partners including HP, Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and ASUS. Pre-orders began immediately through Google's online store and Best Buy, with retail sales starting October 4 and prices beginning at $899 depending on specs and brand.
Google's new Android-based Googlebook laptops are now available for preorder from multiple OEM partners, ahead of an October 4 launch. Five models will debut, priced starting at $899 with only one under $1,000, featuring OLED displays, metal chassis, large haptic trackpads, and an illuminated 'Glowbar' on the lid. The machines run either Snapdragon X Elite or Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips with NPUs delivering up to 45 TOPS.
Apple's newest Mac mini, powered by the M6 chip, has been reviewed as a compact desktop that offers strong performance relative to its price. The review notes that while Apple is promoting the machine's AI capabilities, its core strength lies in general computing power rather than any specific AI-driven use case.
Google has officially launched Googlebook, its Android-powered laptop platform built with Android, ChromeOS, Gemini, and partner hardware makers, starting at $899. Alongside the launch, Google is bringing Rambler, the smart dictation feature debuted on the Pixel 11, to every Googlebook, letting users clean up rambling speech into organized notes and action items.
Apple's new M6 Mac mini keeps the same compact 5-by-5-inch design introduced in 2024 but adds faster networking and display support. The base model now includes 2.5Gb Ethernet as standard, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and improved multi-monitor output compared to the previous M4 version.
Rhizomatica, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit founded by Peter Bloom, has open-sourced HERMES, a digital shortwave radio system paired with its Mercury modem, to help connect remote and indigenous communities in places like Bangladesh, Brazil, and Ecuador. The system uses the ionosphere to bounce signals across 400 to 600 kilometers using just 20 watts of power, letting users send files such as photos, emails, and voice memos over high-frequency radio.