Googlebook and Android 17: Easy Setup, but Better Together Has Major Limitations
Setting up Googlebook is easy for Android users. Like setting up a new phone, you can scan a QR code on your current phone to automatically copy your accounts, data, and apps. You can be up and running in minutes, with Googlebook deeply integrated with your operating system.
That experience assumes you’re running Android 17, however, which may be a problem because most phones do not have the update yet.
Googlebook’s Better Together features
Google’s Better Together service allows Googlebook to access files on an Android 17 smartphone, sync notifications, remember where you left off in an app, and mirror phone apps on your laptop. These features sound useful, and when they work properly, they can create a more integrated experience. However, several limitations and bugs get in the way.
Googlebooks lets you stream apps, mirror notifications, and access storage from your Android phone.
Credit: Ryan Whitwam
Googlebook’s phone connection can be unreliable
To stay connected, your phone and Googlebook must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Switching to another network may cause the connection to drop.
There is also little sign of Google’s Continue feature, which is meant to let you pick up where you left off in the Phone app, even when the devices appear to be connected properly.
App mirroring has performance and security limits
Mirroring phone apps to a laptop can be useful, but performance ranges from inconsistent to poor. Apps with system-level security features do not work at all. You can also use only one mirrored app at a time, and you cannot leave it open in the background.
File access is useful but limited
Accessing files on your phone from Googlebook is a good idea, but transfer speeds are often slow. The connection is also limited to one direction. The Google Files app on your phone can recognize your phone, but the Google Files app on your phone cannot recognize your Googlebook.
The Files app also highlights how far behind Google is in desktop software. It lacks basic features such as tab support and network shares. Having access to your phone is convenient, but the experience feels very limited if you are used to Finder or Windows Explorer.
Source: arstechnica.com