Google previews Googlebooks laptops and new Gemini features for Android

In short: Google used its “Android Show: I/O Edition” event to preview new laptops called Googlebooks and a set of Gemini powered features coming to Android.

What happened

Google announced “Googlebooks,” a new line of laptops that the company says are built around Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Google said the first Googlebooks will launch this fall, and it is working with Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo on different models.

Google also previewed a feature called “Create My Widget.” It lets people make custom home screen widgets by typing what they want in plain language. A widget is a small box on your phone’s home screen that shows useful info at a glance, like a weather tile. Google said this feature will arrive this summer on the latest Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones.

Several updates are also coming to Android Auto, the Android system used in many cars. Google said the interface will support more screen shapes and let people add more widgets. Gemini is also rolling out more broadly on Android Auto for hands free questions and tasks, and Google said food ordering will start with DoorDash.

Other announcements included Gemini in Chrome on Android, which can summarize a webpage or answer questions about what you are viewing. Google also introduced “Rambler” in Gboard, which turns spoken dictation into cleaner text by removing filler words. Google also said it will expand theft protection features and update Android’s emoji designs later this year.

Why it matters

For everyday users, these updates mostly aim to save time and reduce friction. They make it easier to create simple tools on your home screen, get help while browsing the web, and do more from your car without touching your phone. They also include practical changes, like stronger theft protections and clearer dictation.

Source: TechCrunch AI