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Google admits Intel-based Googlebooks may struggle with some Android apps on launch day

The company had previously promoted full access to the Play Store library across all models

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Google has acknowledged on the day its new Googlebook laptops hit the market that Intel-based models could have difficulty running certain Android apps smoothly, despite previously promising access to the entire Play Store library.

Google has confirmed that while every app in the Play Store remains available on Googlebooks, Intel-powered models may not offer smooth performance for all titles. In a statement to Android Authority, the company said: "The vast majority of Android apps run smoothly across both Intel and Qualcomm Googlebooks right out of the box. Because many Android apps were o …" The statement was issued as the Asus Googlebook and other Intel-based models reached consumers.

Earlier marketing had emphasised that the Android-based laptops gave owners access to the full Play Store catalogue, along with features that integrate with Android phones and tablets. The admission came as a surprise to some buyers, as the company had not previously disclosed potential performance gaps between the Intel and Qualcomm versions.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Consumers who purchased an Intel-based Googlebook on launch day may experience app performance issues that were not clearly communicated before purchase.
  • The admission undermines Google's previous marketing claims of a seamless Android app experience across all models, potentially damaging trust in the new product line.
  • The discrepancy between Intel and Qualcomm chipsets could influence future purchasing decisions and developer priorities for Android-on-laptop optimisation.

Background

Google is launching a new line of laptops called Googlebooks that run Android. The devices come with both Intel and Qualcomm processors. The company had promoted the laptops' ability to run the entire Android app ecosystem, but has now acknowledged that Intel models may not deliver the same performance for some apps.

Key Perspectives

[Google]: The company maintains that the vast majority of Android apps run smoothly on all Googlebooks, but acknowledges that some apps may perform better on Qualcomm models due to the way Android apps are originally developed. [Buyers of Intel Googlebooks]: Consumers who purchased the Intel variant on launch day may feel they were not given full information about potential performance limitations before their purchase. [Android developers]: Developers may face additional complexity in ensuring their apps run well across both Intel and Qualcomm architectures on the new laptop platform.

What to Watch

  • Whether Google releases performance patches or updates for Intel Googlebooks to address compatibility issues.
  • User reviews and complaints about app performance on Intel models in the days following launch.
  • Possible clarification from Google about which specific apps are affected and what constitutes "not every app running great."

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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