Code found in Google's Cross-Device Services app reveals an in-development 'Cast trackpad' tool that would let Android phones act as a remote touchpad for other devices. Given the timing, this feature appears aimed at Google's forthcoming Googlebook laptops, an Android-based alternative to Chromebooks. The tool reportedly supports gesture-based inputs similar to a standard trackpad.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-04
Google briefly published a Play Store listing for an app called Look Up, tied to its upcoming Googlebook laptop platform, before removing all screenshots and details. Some testers managed to sideload the app on Pixel phones running Android 17 even after it was pulled from public listing. The tool lets users highlight text and instantly query it through Search, Maps, and Flights, plus a chatbot box for follow-up questions.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-02
Acer showed a brief glimpse of its upcoming Googlebook at IFA 2026, confirming the device is
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-02
A ZDNET writer tested FydeOS, a free Linux-based operating system built to mimic ChromeOS, by installing it on an aging Windows laptop. The OS successfully replicated the Chromebook experience—fast boot times, background updates, and support for web, Android, and Linux apps—though selecting the correct build for the hardware proved confusing.
zdnet.com
· 2026-08-25