As the debut of Googlebook quietly approaches, a week full of new laptop launches at IFA continues to make me wonder why literally anyone should be even a tiny bit interested in Google’s new platform.
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Googlebook made its debut earlier this year as the company’s Android-based desktop platform that will replace ChromeOS and, frankly, I’ve spent the last couple of months just sitting here stewing over the complete lack of information on what this platform is supposed to do and why anyone should care. Truly, I cannot remember the last time I was this skeptical about a Google product – is this how other people felt about Stadia?
At this point, not much has changed.
We’ve seen leaks of some of the first Googlebook laptops from Asus and Lenovo, while Acer was spotted teasing its Googlebook at IFA in Berlin. Some early apps have shown up too, including “Magic Pointer” which is the one new feature Google has actually shown off from this platform, a “Desktop Camera” app, and “Look up” which is in fact not a reference to that DiCaprio movie but instead an AI-powered experience that lets you interact with text to find relevant information such as definitions, flight tracking, and more. That one works on some Android phones, too.
Yet, I still cannot fathom where Googlebooks fit into the larger market. ChromeOS had a clear selling point – stable and usable software on low-cost hardware, with later generations adding in some clever AI features and using more capable hardware. But where Googlebook might have been interesting from a cost perspective, a focus on “premium” hardware combined with RAMageddon and a sea of MacBook Neo competitors… I just don’t get it folks.
The new IdeaPad Vibe from Lenovo and the Dell 14S were both announced this week as direct answers to Apple’s hit budget-conscious laptop, and Google is literally going in the opposite direction.
Damien laid out some potential ideas back in June, such as a focus on AI-aided vibe coding, but it’s still hard to imagine Google’s pitch at this point. Windows laptops are getting more affordable in the wake of the MacBook Neo, and is anyone looking to spend money on tech they don’t need to right now? Maybe I’m just having trouble seeing the potential or the positives here, but I can’t remember the last time I was so sour on a potential new Google launch.
What do you think?
This Week’s Top Stories
IFA 2026
Alongside the new laptops mentioned above, IFA 2026 has brought a ton of new announcements. Catch up on everything below:
- Govee’s new ceiling light and LED strips are mood boosters with some AI sprinkled in
- Philips Hue adds HDMI-free Sync and new 4K Box, Nanoleaf integration, and more app upgrades
- Belkin says its new ‘BoostSolid’ Qi2 batteries last 3x longer than your other magnetic power banks
- Belkin just released four Android Find Hub trackers; one is a full wallet
- Xiaomi 18 Fold officially revealed with wide design like Galaxy Z Fold 8, launches next week
- Anker is combining its Eufy, Soundcore, and brands into two ‘Anker’ groups
- The XGIMI Aura 3 lineup brings Google TV to 4K 120Hz capable short-throw laser projectors
- TCL’s first NXTPAPER phone with AMOLED is also one of its most flagship-like, coming to US
- Lenovo’s new Android tablets get 7 years of updates, flagship chips, and 4K displays
September Android Drop
New features are on their way to Android devices including Motion Assistant, “Remebered” items in Find Hub, and more.
Gemini 3.8 Flash and that minute the AI world burned down
Google this week released Gemini 3.8 Flash as its latest model, roughly a day before the rest of the industry partially imploded in a brief outage that took out ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok all at the same time.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash rolling out three weeks after last release
- It’s not just you; ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok were all down in confirmed outages
Google price hikes
Google this week issued price hikes across the Google TV Streamer and nearly the entire Nest lineup, all pinned on the rising costs of components – i.e. RAMageddon.
- Google TV Streamer gets $50 price increase
- Google Nest lineup gets a price hike across nearly every camera & doorbell
More Top Stories
- Google Wallet for Android adds 11th digital state ID, first addition in 10 months
- Android Auto 17.6 update rolling out with redesigned logo [Gallery]
- Google Pixel adding ‘Battery usage summaries,’ rolling out on Pixel 10 and newer
- Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 rolling out with many Pixel bug fixes
- Google Home update restores support for older Chromecast streamers, Home Mini
- TCL’s latest NXTPAPER tablet has an 11-inch display and a questionable chip from $229
- MapQuest is back, at the top of the charts, and rushing to add Android Auto support
- Pixel 11 series getting early September update, not Android 17 QPR1
- Qualcomm’s upcoming premium chip has Adreno ‘Neural Fusion’ GPU
- YouTube overhauls its app-to-TV experience, shared Wi-Fi network no longer required
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