After Chromebook Buzz Fades in Indonesia, Chinese-Made 'Googlebook' Emerges

Jakarta - Images of Lenovo’s new Google laptop line, the Googlebook, have begun to surface. The line features a design similar to Chromebooks but with added AI capabilities. Googlebook is a combination of Android, Gemini AI, and ChromeOS. Cnet reports that this new line is not like the Chromebook range, but is expected to provide access to all Android applications with the built-in Gemini AI feature. Meanwhile, Digital Citizen mentions that Googlebook may be able to access files stored on the user’s Android device. Googlebook also does not require users to download Android apps from the Google Play Store, as all applications will be available natively. The appearance of the Googlebook 15, manufactured by Lenovo, has appeared online. The Lenovo logo is still embedded on the lid, while the Googlebook logo is located under the keyboard on the left side to start accessing Gemini. Citing 9to5Google, the Caps Lock key on this laptop has a new launcher-like logo. However, its function is not yet known. A similar key is also found on Chromebooks, with a search function. On the Googlebook, a similar function may be replaced by the Function and Alt keys. Android navigation keys have also officially returned and are located in three slots next to the escape key. One of them may serve as an accessibility or profile settings button. The main desktop display remains standard with several features such as a clock, date, and battery status indicator. These features will be placed on the side of the screen. In addition, Lenovo is reportedly also producing a 2-in-1 Googlebook tablet. It features a G key on the keyboard and stylus input support. Other features include Dolby Atmos speakers with a four-speaker setup. Google announced the existence of Googlebook at the Android Show last May. Sales are said to begin in the autumn of this year. Besides Lenovo, several other manufacturers are among the first to produce Googlebook, including Asus, Dell, and HP. Lenovo is a Chinese company based in Hong Kong. In 2005, Lenovo merged with IBM’s laptop division, ThinkPad. Besides producing laptops, Lenovo also owns the Motorola brand. In Indonesia, the largest sales of Chromebooks came from the education digitalisation procurement project at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology for the 2019-2022 period, through assembly facilities with the Zyrex, SPC, and Dell brands. In the commercial market, the majority of laptops circulating are brands with the Windows operating system. Google plans to replace Chromebooks with Googlebook to drive the integration of Gemini AI technology with the ChromeOS and Android operating systems. Unlike Chromebooks, which are available in affordable devices, Googlebooks are mostly integrated into premium laptops with AI features.