Googlebook OS Could Eventually Replace ChromeOS on New Chromebooks
Google appears to be planning a transition from ChromeOS to Googlebook OS for new Chromebooks, according to a support page. The company has not announced a timeline or confirmed which Chromebook models will be included, but it says the change will be a “direct migration” in many cases.
Googlebooks are priced much higher than Chromebooks.
Credit: HP
What Google’s Googlebook OS plan could mean for Chromebooks
Google’s limited explanation may be intentional. Chromebooks are not especially popular with consumers, but they remain widely used in schools and businesses. According to the support page, Googlebook will not have comparable management tools for more than a year.
That gap could create uncertainty for organizations that depend on affordable, easy-to-manage computers. If Google appears more willing to move away from ChromeOS, its Chromebook business could theoretically decline before Googlebook is ready to take over.
Google says Chromebooks are here to stay
In an official statement, a Google representative said that Chromebooks are here to stay. However, the guidance suggests that the current ChromeOS platform may have a limited lifespan, creating potential problems for schools and other organizations that rely on low-cost PCs with strong management features.
Google has repeatedly described Googlebooks as premium products rather than direct replacements for today’s inexpensive Chromebooks. That positioning could make a future transition especially difficult for buyers with limited budgets.
Googlebooks start at $899
Google’s initial Googlebook lineup starts at $899, a price far above what consumers typically pay for a Chromebook today. Google’s partners may eventually introduce more affordable Googlebook models, but no such products have been announced.
For now, Google has not provided details about the migration timeline, supported Chromebook models, or how existing ChromeOS devices will be handled.
Source: arstechnica.com