Googlebook OS hands-on: core services like Gmail run as Trusted Web Activities via the Play Store, Gemini Nano powers some apps, and it feels like a Pixel phone (Abner Li/9to5Google)
An overwhelming sense of familiarity struck me the first time I used a Googlebook. That was immediately followed by a realization …
Upon first using Googlebook OS, I felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity that quickly gave way to the realization that this is just Android. The desktop operating system closely resembled my Pixel phone experience. Despite my expectation for a desktop-class Android experience, Google chose to let app developers decide on the best strategy for their applications.
With this approach, Googlebook OS primarily leverages web apps, in line with the ChromeOS lineage. The shared design and user experience allowed me to quickly adapt to the new operating system. Quick Settings and Notifications were located in the top-right corner, mirroring Android's conventions, making the transition seamless. The Settings app remained identical to that on Pixel phones, while pre-installed apps such as Pixel Weather and Recorder evoked nostalgic feelings.
Widgets could be added and edited by long-pressing on the desktop, providing an almost seamless experience compared to ChromeOS. Googlebook OS uses Trusted Web Activities (TWAs) distributed through the Play Store, which allowed for homescreen widgets and better integration with the desktop environment. While Google offers some native Android apps, such as Gmail and Google Calendar, these launch as web versions instead of Android apps.
However, this decision seems to be an intentional choice, prioritizing simplicity and consistency across devices. Googlebook OS makes extensive use of web apps, aligning with the ChromeOS lineage. Google's decision to allow app developers to choose the best strategy for their applications, rather than enforcing a strict mandate for desktop-class applications, may be a missed opportunity for enhanced customization.
Despite this, Googlebook OS offers a robust Chrome browser experience with full-featured extensions and a new vertical tab list. Other experiences, such as the Google app and Gemini, are clearly Android-powered, utilizing on-device AI models like Gemini Nano. The Googlebook OS experience remains consistent across partners, with Google responsible for rolling out updates on a quarterly basis, similar to the Android Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) model.
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