GoKawiilThe new Googlebook appears to be bridging the gap between an Android phone and a computer — something Android users have envied in the iPhone-MacBook pairing since the beginning of time. It feels, at a cursory look, like it’s designed from the ground up to efficiently communicate with an Android phone and offer the revered Apple-like ecosystem benefits.
But beyond the flashy marketing material, is Google truly having its own MacBook moment, or has it just presented the old Chromebook dressed in new clothes?
Would you switch from Windows or macOS to a Googlebook? 38 votes Yes, easily 21 % Maybe, depending on pricing 18 % Only as a secondary device 16 % No, ChromeOS still isn’t enough 45 %
Android finally has an ecosystem of its own
The Googlebook prototype is the most coherent Google ecosystem vision we have seen so far. Android has had an ecosystem of its own to an extent, with tablets and smartwatches. What it glaringly lacked was a desktop piece in the mix. Since Aluminium OS is rumored to be designed around Android, it should be better able to communicate with Google’s mobile OS, giving its users one less reason to envy the Apple fraternity.
The little demos Google showed had decent cross-device workflows in place. The OS can natively run Android apps. It’s relieving to see that Google has finally learned its lesson and now lets mobile apps run in their native aspect ratio instead of simply stretching them across the desktop screen for the sake of it. And having the ability to access files from your Android phone directly on the PC is a game-changer because you don’t even have to worry about using Quick Share or other slower means to move files between devices.
I find it incredibly ingenious to spruce up the good old cursor with a quick gesture to bring Gemini Intelligence to life.
I find it incredibly ingenious to spruce up the good old cursor with a quick gesture to bring Gemini Intelligence to life. A bunch of existing Gemini features are integrated directly into the OS, and it also has some fun new stuff, like creating custom personalized widgets with a simple prompt. That is the kind of deeply integrated AI that will matter going forward. It’s nice to see Google at the forefront of it.
That should give my productivity a solid boost with everyday apps — but somehow I am still skeptical.
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