Asus Googlebook 14 review: for Android, by Android

So the Googlebook 14’s hardware is relatively nice, even if it’s not perfect. It’s with the software that things start to get a little complicated.

Let’s start with the basics. Googlebook OS is Android on a laptop at its core, built on the Android tech stack, with desktop underpinnings carried over from ChromeOS. If you’ve used Android phones, you’ll feel right at home on a Googlebook. It’s to the point where the home screens look the same, they have the option to swipe down to see quick settings and they can swipe up to see your apps. The UI elements resemble many Android implementations, right down to the app folders on the home screen. Even the settings panel has the same user interface.

That, of course, is the point. Google is unifying its operating systems more than in the past, and for many, that will be a good thing. The unification makes the platforms easier to use for those who use both, not to mention that new Googlebook users will have no problem adjusting if they own an Android device.

There is of course also deep integration with Android phones directly from a Googlebook laptop. Integrations actually go a little further than just being able to see your phone screen on your laptop, and this integration can be very useful. For example, you can see your phone’s apps directly in your Google Book’s app drawer, and in the Google Files app you can access all the files on your phone. You can also receive notifications from your phone on your laptop.

The integration is also quite clever. There’s a feature called Continue, which pins an app you’re using on your phone to the taskbar, so you can quickly continue where you left off on your phone without having to navigate through menus.

The biggest gap is the depth of the application. Googlebook OS doesn’t support conventional Windows or macOS desktop software, and Android apps available through Google Play are often mobile-first. Photoshop, for example, is the Android version and not the full desktop app. Google has acknowledged that some apps may have compatibility issues requiring developer updates, but the deeper problem is structural. If your workflow relies on desktop creation tools or specialized professional software, the Googlebook 14 can’t replace a Windows or macOS machine at this time unless you can access those tools over the web.

The good news is that Google knows there’s work to be done here. Play Store labels tell you if an app has been optimized to work properly. The labels are a little confusing, but if you understand what they mean, it might make finding compatible apps easier. There are five labels in total, stacked in a clear hierarchy: “Designed for desktop” at the top, then “Optimized for desktop”, then “Desktop friendly”, with “Best on website” and “Designed for mobile” below. “Designed for Desktop” and “Optimized for Desktop” are the two apps worth looking for, as these are the apps most likely to support keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks, and proper window resizing.

Then there are the Gemini features, which are front and center. Magic Pointer lets you move your cursor to call Gemini for contextual actions, like asking questions about items on the screen or turning a visible date into a calendar entry. Proactive suggestions present relevant actions based on what you’re viewing. Rambler converts natural speech into polished text alongside standard dictation. I found these features to work well, even though they weren’t part of my daily workflow.

Essentially, Googlebook OS is a starting point, not an ending point. There’s clearly work to be done when it comes to app compatibility and desktop interfaces. The unfortunate reality is that Google has long struggled with these issues, particularly when it comes to developer support. Android tablets have suffered from many years of smartphone-optimized interfaces, and while they’ve gotten better in recent years, it’s taken a while to get there. Hopefully, Google will be much more proactive in encouraging developers to make their apps run smoothly on Googlebook OS.