Googlebook devices currently offer more limited software compatibility compared to standard Chromebooks. Users face restrictions when installing Progressive Web Apps (PWA), as the system only supports those deemed compatible by the platform, unlike the manual installation option available on Chrome OS.
Google has acknowledged these limitations, stating that the ability to manually install non-compatible PWAs will be added to Googlebook in the near future. Additionally, the platform currently lacks full support for Linux applications, which have been a staple feature on Chromebooks since 2018.
While Googlebook provides access to a Debian Linux command-line environment via a terminal, the first version of the platform does not prioritize graphical user interface (GUI) applications. The company plans to release further details regarding terminal functionality soon.
The platform is primarily designed for Android applications, which are categorized in the Play Store as 'Made for desktop', 'Optimized for desktop', or 'Built for mobile'. These labels indicate the level of adaptation for keyboard and mouse input.
Regarding hardware compatibility, Google reports that 96.6% of the top 10,000 Android applications function on Googlebook devices equipped with Intel processors. Approximately 300 popular apps are currently incompatible, largely due to hardware requirements like gyroscopes.
