Googlebooks have a Linux app problem that even budget Chromebooks solved years ago

Googlebook laptops have been criticized for lacking the same user-friendly approach to installing and running Linux apps as Chromebooks, according to a report by Android Authority. Users must install Linux apps on Googlebooks through Android's Terminal, and these apps do not appear in the app drawer. Google has acknowledged this drawback, stating that graphical Linux apps are not a current focus.

While Googlebooks can run Android apps, the early devices in this line lack the proper support for Linux apps that ChromeOS has offered for years. ChromeOS enables a "Linux development environment" in its settings, allowing users to install and run Debian packages directly from the app drawer. However, Android Authority's team found that Googlebook OS does not replicate this straightforward method of installing Linux apps.

Despite Google's promotional efforts to position Googlebooks as the evolution of its Chromebooks, the limitations of an Android-based interface are becoming increasingly evident. The report highlights a lack of information about installing or running Linux apps on Googlebooks, suggesting this is an area that needs improvement.