Googlebook Detachable Form Factors Coming Soon
Google is expanding its hardware lineup to include fully detachable devices. Speaking at this year’s Android Dev Summit, Google product management director Marisol Ryu announced that the Googlebook family will encompass clamshell, convertible, and fully detachable designs, with the last option resembling Microsoft’s Surface Pro, as ExtremeTech reported.
The announcement follows Google’s September launch of five Googlebook devices. The conventional clamshell laptops consist of the Asus Googlebook 14, Dell XPS Googlebook, HP Googlebook 14, and Lenovo Googlebook 15. The Acer Googlebook 14 is a convertible with a 360-degree hinge.
Lenovo builds the first detachable Googlebook
Information leaked in July points to Lenovo producing the initial Googlebook detachable, which will be accompanied by an Apple Pencil-style stylus alongside a kickstand folio and keyboard reminiscent of the Surface Pro. Before rolling out a keyboard-optional Googlebook tablet with confidence, however, Google needs to refine its tablet-focused software.
At present, Googlebook OS supports running full-screen apps in portrait orientation, whereas the app tray, overview, and home screen function exclusively in landscape mode. Because of these software limitations, it could be a hot minute until details like a launch date, pricing, technical specs, or an official first model are announced.
Answers about Googlebook form factors and software limits
What form factors will the Googlebook family include?
Google product management director Marisol Ryu announced that the Googlebook family will span clamshell, convertible, and fully detachable form factors.
Which manufacturer is rumored to build the first Googlebook detachable?
A leak from July indicates that Lenovo will build the first Googlebook detachable device.
What software limitations currently affect Googlebook tablets?
While Googlebook OS can open full-screen apps in portrait mode, the home screen, overview, and app tray currently work only in landscape mode.
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