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Tech News
Google rolled out its November update for Googlebook OS, announced via Reddit and its Help Center, bundling 30 fixes alongside the November 2026 security patch. The update reduces RAM usage from on-device AI, freeing 3GB to 6GB of memory, and addresses issues including USB microphones not working, DRM video showing a black screen on monitors, and bootloops triggered by interrupted updates.
Google is positioning its new Googlebook laptops around deep integration with Android phones rather than expanded app support alone. Key features include casting phone apps into resizable windows on the laptop, and transferring in-progress tasks like emails or browser tabs from phone to laptop with a single click.
Android Authority surveyed readers on which of Google's five newly announced Googlebooks they would purchase. The Lenovo Googlebook 15 led with 19% of votes, followed by the Dell XPS Googlebook at 16%, the Acer Googlebook 14 at 14.1%, the ASUS Googlebook 14 at 12.7%, and the HP Googlebook 14 trailing at 9.8%. Roughly a third of respondents, combining those who skipped a pick and the 15% awaiting more options, did not commit to any current model.
Google has rolled out Chrome M156 for Chromebooks, addressing crashes tied to extensions like 1Password and Teleparty, as well as issues with dragging tabs between windows. The update also restores proper fullscreen keyboard shortcuts, fixes clipboard errors in Google Docs, resolves stuck Facebook Live buffering, and corrects missing website icons in the address bar. It follows the M155 release from two weeks prior, which added standalone app installs and better extension support.
An Android Authority teardown of the second Android 17 QPR3 beta uncovered hidden code for an 'App restore on reboot' feature aimed at Googlebooks. The strings show three settings: always restore previously open apps, never restore them, or ask each time after a restart. A similar feature, called Welcome Recap, already exists on Chromebooks and also shows weather and meeting info.
A reviewer used the Acer Googlebook 14 and Dell XPS Googlebook as primary computers for two weeks, starting at $899. The first week revealed frequent slowdowns, unreliable basic features, and extensive troubleshooting, though a batch of software fixes in week two resolved some early issues, including setup problems with Better Together cross-device features and initial lack of Samsung phone support.
Google has introduced Googlebook, a new AI-focused laptop platform built on its Chromebook lineage, with a 16GB RAM requirement and starting prices of $999 (except for a limited-time $899 Acer offer). Models from Lenovo and Asus reach pricing comparable to the MacBook Air, and the platform's phone-pairing feature requires a device running Android 17, an OS released only four months ago on a small number of high-end phones.
Tom's Hardware tested Googlebooks from Dell, Lenovo and HP, built on a new operating system called Googlebook OS that resembles Android more than Chrome OS. The platform aims to merge Android phones and laptops and includes AI features such as Rambler, with Acer and Asus also signed on as hardware partners. The reviewer found the hardware solid but said the OS still feels underdeveloped and centered mainly on the web browser.
Google has introduced Googlebooks, a new line of certified laptops built on an Android-based operating system rather than ChromeOS. Partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are producing Googlebook-certified devices with carbon-fiber chassis, high-end Intel or Snapdragon processors, high-resolution screens and Gemini built in, starting at 16GB RAM and 256GB storage with about 14 hours of battery life. The devices run Android apps natively via the full Google Play Store and integrate with Android phones running Android 17 or later, syncing passwords, notifications and files.
A reviewer testing new Android-powered Googlebooks from Asus and HP describes setup as fast and simple, taking just minutes to register biometrics, sign into a Google account, and import apps from a phone. But after setup, connecting the laptop to a phone for features like file sharing and app casting proved unreliable, often requiring repeated toggling of settings, restarts, and reconnecting after switching Wi-Fi networks.
Google has launched a new product called Googlebooks, according to a report questioning the company's continued commitment to the open web. The report frames the release as evidence that Google's priorities have moved away from the web-as-platform vision it once championed.
A developer has released Breadstick Linux as an app on the Google Play Store, aimed at users frustrated with limited Linux app support on Chromebooks and Android devices. The app is positioned as an alternative to the standard Linux terminal environment built into ChromeOS.