Google announces Googlebook, a MacBook Neo competitor, that is built around AI

Google wants to change how you use your laptop. During The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, the company unveiled Googlebooks, a new category of laptops, built around AI, in particular, Gemini intelligence. Googlebooks will likely go up against Apple’s MacBook Neo, a product that has seen so much success, that Apple is reportedly increasing production.

But what is a Googlebook? And what does this mean for the future of laptops? Let’s delve right in.

What is a Googlebook?

According to Google, Googlebook brings together the best of both worlds from Android and ChromeOS. On a Googlebook, users will be able to run Android apps natively, and get new Gemini features, while getting a similar experience to ChromeOS used on Chromebooks.

Keep in mind that Google was rumoured to be working on a new Android-based operating system for some time now.

As per the company, all Googlebooks will come with premium materials, likely akin to the MacBook Neo. An addition to the design is a new signature “glowbar” for all Googlebooks, which you can see below. Google has hinted that this bar will come with some functionality.

Do note that the timing of the announcement was not a coincidence. Google first unveiled Chromebooks on May 11, 2011. And the Googlebook was announced almost exactly 15 years to that day.

Gemini AI features on Googlebook

There are a lot of new AI features that you can use on a Googlebook. The device is built around Google’s AI assistant Gemini, with new Gemini Intelligence features that will also make it to Android smartphones soon.

A key feature here is a change in how you use the cursor. With Gemini Intelligence, Googlebooks come with a “Magic Pointer” that can bring up AI-powered suggestions when you wiggle it on screen. That is, the cursor can go from a regular cursor to an AI cursor in just a wiggle. This feature, Google says, was developed with the Google DeepMind team.

In the examples shared by the company, users could point at a date in an email to set up a meeting, or select two images, such as a living room and a new couch, to visualise them together.

You will also get the option to create your own widgets on a Googlebook by giving prompts to Gemini. Google says that Gemini can even search the internet or connect with Google apps such as Gmail and Calendar to build a personalised dashboard for you. For instance, a user planning a family reunion in Berlin could ask Gemini to organise flight and hotel details, restaurant reservations and a countdown in one place on the desktop.

Other features on Googlebook include “Cast My Apps,” That is, you can easily use an app on your smartphone via your laptop. There’s also “Quick Access” – allowing you to bring files from your Android to the Googlebook seamlessly. This could be similar to how users can share files from an iPhone to a Mac.

When is Google launching Googlebook?

Google did not announce its own Googlebook product during the show. Instead, the company has confirmed that it is working with the likes of Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo to bring Googlebooks to the market. The tech giant insists that Googlebooks will use premium materials and come in various shapes and sizes.

For now, Google says that we can expect to see Googlebooks hit the markets in fall this year.

In case you are worried about what happens to Chromebooks, Google has previously stated that they will support Chromebooks through their 10-year lifespan. Though it is unclear if we will see more Chromebooks being launched.