What will happen to Chromebooks now that the 'Googlebook' laptop for Gemini has arrived?
On May 12, 2026, local time, Google announced the 'Googlebook,' a laptop designed for Gemini Intelligence. John Maletis, Vice President of ChromeOS, spoke about how the arrival of the Googlebook will affect Chromebooks running ChromeOS.
Exclusive: Googlebook Q&A interview with Google VP John Maletis [VIDEO]
https://chromeunboxed.com/exclusive-googlebook-qa-interview-with-google-vp-john-maletis-video/
Googlebook has a premium focus, coming to some Chromebooks
https://9to5google.com/2026/05/12/googlebooks-have-a-premium-focus-some-chromebooks-can-be-upgraded/
Google has announced the Googlebook, a laptop designed for Gemini Intelligence. The Googlebook features a cursor called 'Magic Pinter,' which allows users to move the cursor and have Gemini offer situation-appropriate suggestions or complete tasks accordingly.
Googlebooks also features a 'Create Widget' function, allowing users to create custom widgets simply by following the prompts. Gemini reportedly allows users to create personalized dashboards through internet searches and integration with Google apps such as Gmail and Calendar.
Google announces 'Googlebook,' an Android-based laptop, designed from the ground up for Gemini Intelligence - GIGAZINE
In an interview with technology media outlet Chrome Unboxed, Malletis stated that Googlebooks are neither Android tablets with keyboards nor a rebranding of ChromeOS. He explained that the Googlebooks brand aims to provide a 'premium, high-quality experience,' working closely with OEM partners such as Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, HP, and Dell to establish rigorous hardware requirements, from processors (Intel, Qualcomm, MediaTek) to memory, storage, and keyboard layout.
Furthermore, Googlebooks are built on part of the Android technology stack, ensuring that users can switch between their laptop and smartphone while performing tasks without interrupting the workflow. While previous versions of ChromeOS ran Android apps through emulation, Googlebooks run directly on the Android technology stack, completely eliminating the problems associated with emulation, according to Maletis.
While the detailed specifications and specifications of the Googlebook are unknown at the time of writing, a major question users have is, 'What will happen to Chromebooks?' Regarding this, Mr. Maletis explained that ChromeOS will not be discontinued anytime soon, that Chromebooks and Chromebook Plus models will continue to be added to the lineup, and that Google will continue to support Chromebooks for 10 years. Furthermore, some existing Chromebooks will be able to be updated to the same firmware as the Googlebook, and Google plans to announce which devices will be eligible for the firmware update.
At the end of his online interview with Chrome Unboxed, Mr. Maletis revealed that he had participated via Googlebook.
The interviewers couldn't hide their surprise and delight at this unexpected turn of events.
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