Googlebook Laptop Faces Criticism for Limited Functionality

The $1,000 Dell XPS Googlebook, running Google's new Googlebook OS, has been criticized for its limited functionality and poor app support. The platform combines Android and ChromeOS, allowing native Android app support and synchronization with Android phones.

Despite its design, the XPS Googlebook faces backlash for its inability to run many essential desktop applications. Apps like Slack, Evernote, and Adobe Lightroom either function poorly or are unavailable on the Googlebook Play Store.

Users reported significant frustrations with the platform's app ecosystem, including difficulties with image resizing, audio editing, and text input. The lack of support for tools like Audacity and the limited functionality of the Rambler AI dictation feature were also noted.

Battery life on the XPS Googlebook was found to be inconsistent, with some apps draining power rapidly. During testing, the PCMark Android app benchmark showed 15 hours and 15 minutes of battery life, but real-world usage revealed performance issues.

The review also pointed out that Chromebooks already supported Android apps, suggesting there was no strong demand for a new platform. Additionally, features like phone syncing and app mirroring were deemed redundant compared to existing Windows and Linux capabilities.

Overall, the XPS Googlebook was described as a computing 'stripmall'—a collection of small, unevenly performing apps. While web-based tools provided some relief, the platform's limitations left users questioning its value.