Google is expanding its Android ecosystem with a new line of laptops called Googlebooks, designed to integrate closely with Android smartphones rather than functioning as standalone computers. According to Tech Advisor, the new Googlebook operating system is built around Android and is designed to provide a familiar Android experience on larger screens while adding support for keyboards, trackpads and desktop-style workflows. The integration is not limited to Google or Pixel smartphones, as Google says Android phones running Android 17 or later will be compatible with the new features. The first wave of Googlebooks from manufacturers including Acer, HP, Asus and Lenovo is now available for pre-order, marking a new direction for Google’s approach to laptops and its wider Android ecosystem.
One of the key features is called “Continue On,” which allows users to start an activity on their Android phone and continue it from the same point on a Googlebook. The feature is designed to make switching between a smartphone and laptop more seamless, with applications available directly on the larger display. Developers will also have flexibility over how their apps appear, with Google allowing them to use phone-style windows or adapt applications into more traditional desktop interfaces. Another major addition is the redesigned Files application, which places the user’s smartphone files directly within the Googlebook’s file management interface. Photos, downloaded attachments and other files can therefore be accessed without connecting a cable or relying on separate wireless-transfer methods. Google is also adding an AI-powered search system capable of analysing file contents rather than relying only on file names, potentially making it easier to locate specific documents or media.
The third feature, “Cast My Apps,” is designed to allow users to access most of the applications installed on their Android smartphone directly from a Googlebook. Users will not need to constantly interact with their phone when using supported applications on the laptop. Google is excluding certain applications, including Phone, Camera and Settings, because of security considerations. Tech Advisor also highlighted the potential usefulness of the feature for authentication workflows, such as accessing a one-time security code received through the Messages application. Googlebooks will also introduce shared notifications between Android smartphones and the laptop, allowing alerts to remain synchronised across devices. Instead of checking a phone separately whenever a notification arrives, users can manage their alerts from the Googlebook, provided they enable the feature.
Gaming is the fifth major area covered by the new Googlebook experience. Google says more than 20,000 games available through the Play Store will be playable on Googlebooks, giving users access to a large library of mobile titles on a larger display. Tech Advisor tested Asphalt Legends with an Xbox controller and reported that the experience delivered stronger graphics and fluidity than expected for mobile gaming. Googlebooks are not being positioned as replacements for dedicated gaming PCs, but the devices are also intended to support cloud gaming. Each purchase includes a free year of Nvidia GeForce Now, allowing users to access supported cloud-based games without relying entirely on the laptop’s local hardware. Together, these features show how Google is attempting to create a more closely connected experience between Android phones and laptops, with file sharing, app access, notifications, continuity and gaming forming central parts of the new platform.
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