Meet the Googlebook, an AI sequel to the Chromebook
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Google on Tuesday unveiled the Googlebook, a new class of laptop that expands on the Chromebook with greater Android support and deeper integration of Gemini.
Why it matters: The move comes as Apple has debuted its lower-cost MacBook Neo and Microsoft has stumbled with its answer to the AI era, the Copilot+ PC.
Driving the news: The most visible change in the Googlebook is the Magic Pointer, which summons Gemini when a user wiggles their cursor.
- Googlebooks can run Android apps on the laptop or you can use the apps installed on your Android phone directly on your laptop. And you can access your phone's files from your Googlebook.
- The laptops will come in a variety of shapes and sizes and from a number of hardware makers, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo.
- They will all feature a "glowbar" on their exterior. Google didn't say what the glowbar will do, but promised it is "both functional and beautiful."
Yes, but: Google says this is just a sneak peek at the Googlebook, with the first models not due out until the fall.
Zoom out: Google made a series of other Android announcements Tuesday including new security features and the expansion of an effort to let AI agents take action using apps on a user's phone.
Between the lines: It's unclear what the future holds for new Chromebooks going forward.
- A Google spokesperson told Axios that "many Chromebooks will be eligible to transition to the new experience," promising more details closer to launch.
The big picture: It's developer conference season.
- Google's Android announcements come ahead of next week's I/O developer conference where the company is expected to debut a broader range of new AI advances.
- Microsoft has its Build conference in San Francisco on June 2-3, while Apple's WWDC runs the following week.
