Googlebook Platform Launch Expected in Dedicated Showcase Event This Fall

Google's upcoming Googlebook platform is expected to be launched in a dedicated showcase event this fall, according to Chrome Unboxed founder Robby Payne. Payne argues that Google won't slip the massive platform change into a side note and instead will host a separate event for its debut.

Payne points out that the Made by Google event on August 12 is reserved for first-party hardware, while Googlebook is a multi-OEM platform manufactured by partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. This means that Google won't include third-party hardware in the Pixel-centric keynote.

IFA Berlin in September isn't an ideal venue for the launch either, as it's a generic trade show where a fundamental shift like Googlebook would get lost amidst the noise. Payne suggests that a dedicated showcase strategy is more suitable for major ecosystem upgrades like Chromebook Plus, which received its own standalone press event.

Google needs dedicated stage time to demonstrate the new OS, preserve what fans love about ChromeOS, and highlight unique features of the hardware. Payne expects a standalone Googlebook showcase event this fall, where official invitations will be sent out for full hands-on coverage and deep-dive reviews.