{
  "id": 16321399,
  "title": "I spent two weeks using Googlebooks, and I have 5 big concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/i-spent-two-weeks-using-googlebooks-and-i-have-5-big-concerns",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-24T12:00:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/acer-googlebook-weeks-later-3724787/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Googlebooks are a new category of Android-powered laptops, and the author has been using them for two weeks. While primarily testing the Acer Googlebook 14, the Dell XPS Googlebook was also tried. During the first week, the Googlebooks were used as the only computers, with tasks taking twice as long and requiring lengthy troubleshooting sessions. Basic features were unreliable and didn't work at all. In the second week, some initial frustrations were resolved with early Googlebook OS fixes. However, the author has five major concerns that should rule out Googlebooks for almost everyone today.\n\nThe \"Better Together\" features are the best part of using a Googlebook. This set of cross-device features bridges the connection between an Android phone and a Googlebook. However, setup issues and lacking support for Samsung phones have stumbled out of the gate. The author, who primarily uses a Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, has found these Better Together features to be reliable. Quick Access allows the phone's on-device storage to appear automatically in the Files app on the Googlebook, making it convenient to access photos, files, and music from the Android phone straight from the laptop.\n\nThe author is also impressed that Better Together features work with multiple Android phones. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 8 can be seen as data sources in the Files app sidebar, and the same goes for Cast My Apps, which streams apps from the Android phone to the Googlebook without installation. Brands don't typically build features for tech reviewers, enthusiasts, and power users who regularly keep multiple phones in their daily rotation. The ability to add every Android 17 device owned to the cross-device services group for use with a Googlebook is a positive feature.\n\nContinue On is another promising feature that allows work to be started in Chrome on a Galaxy Z Fold 8's folding display and finished on the Googlebook. When the Googlebook is opened, whatever was being worked on appears in the taskbar. However, the more the Googlebook is used, the more limitations become apparent. Some Android apps can't be downloaded through the Google Play Store on a Googlebook OS, and the Tesla and Best Buy apps, for example, won't render properly when streamed via Cast My Apps. Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication is also unavailable via the Play Store or Cast My Apps on a Googlebook, requiring the use of a phone instead. The most crushing limitation of Better Together features is their reliance on a Wi-Fi network. While they work great on a home's wireless network, they don't work out in public, as many public or enterprise Wi-Fi networks block peer-to-peer Wi-Fi sharing outright.",
  "summary": "Googlebooks aren't ready for primetime, and software is only part of the problem.",
  "key_points": [
    "Better Together features are unreliable with Samsung phones and require Wi-Fi network",
    "Googlebook OS limitations prevent downloading certain Android apps and streaming others",
    "Author's primary concern is the lack of support for multiple Android phones"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}