Almost 16 years ago, Google introduced its first Chromebook with the cryptic model designation Cr-48 at the end of 2010. Now the manufacturer is replacing its Chrome-based notebook operating system ChromeOS, at least in the premium segment, with the Android-based Googlebook OS. This step is not entirely surprising, as the company has essentially been thinking about a convergence of the two operating systems since the announcement of ChromeOS in 2009, according to reports. The previous attempts to bring ChromeOS and Android closer together, such as the ability to run Android apps on Chromebooks, were only half the battle.
In an interview with heise online, Alexander Kuscher, Google’s Senior Director of Product Management for Googlebooks and Tablets, explains why it took so long – and that more models in different price ranges will be available soon.
According to Kuscher, the new device category is aimed at every Android user – theoretically over three billion people. However, he narrows down the user group somewhat, stating that Google is initially focusing on premium users.
After all, until now, there has been no desktop operating system for the Android ecosystem that worked seamlessly with the mobile platform. Windows feels somewhat out of place, as does the Mac, and even ChromeOS itself doesn’t quite fit, says Kuscher.
The fact that Android is only now appearing as a notebook base, despite persistent rumors, has to do with Android itself, among other things. To make the mobile operating system suitable for notebooks five years ago, Google’s development team would have had to invest a lot of effort. At that time, Android as a platform was not advanced enough. The operating system has now reached a certain level of maturity. In addition, Google has standardized 17 so-called adaptive apps with Android. These support display on various screen sizes – and are therefore also ideal for notebooks. According to Kuscher, developers are also showing great interest in this.
A second important aspect is the progress in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly Gemini at Google. The AI helps to realize certain functions – such as the Magic Pointer. This reinterpretation of the classic cursor offers direct access to Google’s AI Gemini, which can perform specific tasks depending on the context. In addition, there are functions known from classic operating systems, such as renaming multiple files at once
Kuscher sees Googlebook OS as a “Multi-Purpose OS” – an operating system for many areas of application: it can be used for work – such as coding – as well as for entertainment. To work productively with it, Google offers not only native office tools but also applications for image and video editing such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as CapCut and Luminar on the operating system. However, the company is only at the beginning in this regard – more native apps are to come. Currently, hundreds of apps are optimized.
In addition, hardware manufacturers are interested in building Googlebooks, as they also see a gap for Android users. The five Googlebooks introduced so far are roughly in the price range of the MacBook Air and cost from 1200 Euros. More Googlebooks are to come, which will be cheaper than the previous ones – in the MacBook Neo range (under 1000 Euros) – and more expensive devices will also follow.
Kuscher would not reveal a specific timetable. He only said that it would not take “too long”. It is possible that things could continue at the CES 2027 electronics trade fair in January. Traditionally, many manufacturers showcase new products at the trade fair in Las Vegas.
When asked about the tablet category, which was discontinued in the Google Store, Kuscher merely replied: “We still make Android tablets.” However, he was referring to the general category of Android tablets, not to Pixel products, with which he has no direct involvement. Kuscher added that tablets are particularly popular in the premium segment.
He also said that some of the Googlebook functions are to be made available on other Android products as well. He did not want to go into specifics, but Google has already announced that “Create my Widget” will be available on smartphones, among other things – and certainly on tablets too. With this function, custom widgets for various tasks or actions can be created either from templates or in a vibe-coding manner and placed on the desktop.
However, not all functions make sense on all device categories: for example, the Magic Pointer on a smartphone or a tablet with a standard interface. He also admitted that the desktop interface of Android 16 and 17 still has room for improvement. When connecting a smartphone to an external monitor, the large screen displays a desktop mode, which Samsung users may know from DeX mode. This desktop mode is likely to be further developed over time.
Finally, when asked about the Digital Markets Act (DMA), he stated that although Googlebooks are based on Android, they would not be classified as a central platform service in the EU under the DMA. Thus, Google would theoretically not have to open the operating system to third-party AI providers. However, he said that Googlebook OS – similar to macOS and Windows – should be as open as possible for AI applications. Therefore, Google enables Claude in the terminal, among other things.
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This article was originally published in
German.
It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
