Googlebook Laptops: Can They Succeed in a Crowded Market?
Google has officially launched its Googlebook lineup of laptops, but the reception is mixed. The new devices run on a desktop version of Android and offer seamless integration with Android phones.
The pitch for Googlebook is that it delivers the MacBook + iPhone experience, just for Android users. However, some critics argue that it falls flat in terms of functionality. At its core, Googlebook is still Android with a desktop interface built on top, but it lacks full-featured apps like Photoshop and Lightroom.
Google knows that people use these apps, as evidenced by their own website advertising them for Googlebook. However, the market has spoken: Chromebooks are out of favor, and powerful, battery-efficient laptops are now affordable options.
The question remains whether Googlebook can stick the landing in today's market. A poll on 9to5Google asks readers what they think, with results showing a mixed response.