Support our independent tech coverage. Chrome Unboxed is crafted by real people, for real people—not search algorithms. For just a month, you can join Chrome Unboxed Plus to enjoy an ad-free experience, gain access to our private Discord, and much more. Explore membership details here.
Recently, I delved into a leaked render from Lenovo that suggested Adobe Premiere might be making its way to the upcoming Googlebooks. As I explored further, I stumbled upon a Reddit thread from Adobe announcing that an Early Access version of the Premiere app is already available for Android.
Intrigued, I decided to download it on a Chromebook to assess the experience on a larger screen. While the app does open, I found myself grappling with concerns about what users can expect when these new Google-powered laptops debut this fall.
A mobile app on a big screen
According to the official Adobe Reddit post, this early build leverages Google’s latest Android media frameworks (such as Jetpack Media3) with the intention of creating a “fast, capable mobile editor for social and short-form creation.”
However, the experience feels distinctly mobile. Although the app downloads and opens on a Chromebook, it resembles an Android phone app that hasn’t been optimized for larger displays. The user interface appears stretched, and I encountered metadata errors while attempting to import files. If you choose to pursue this app, proceed with caution.
Featured Videos
It’s important to note that this is a very early beta aimed primarily at Android phones. My hope is that this version won’t be the one that ultimately launches with Googlebooks. The timing of this release raises eyebrows; with the first wave of Googlebooks on the horizon, a recent leak showing Premiere on the app dock, and Adobe’s announcement of an Early Access beta for Android, one can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the story. Perhaps a more refined version is in the works, ready to make its debut this fall.
Why perceived value matters
As previously discussed, John Maletis from Google has emphasized their collaboration with major developers to optimize applications for the Googlebook platform. I sincerely hope that Google is partnering with Adobe to deliver a fully optimized version of Premiere for Googlebooks, as a stretched mobile app simply won’t suffice.
The anticipated price for the first fleet of Googlebooks is expected to start at 0+. For that investment, Google must launch with a robust, desktop-class version of Premiere. Historically, video editing on a Chromebook has posed significant challenges, often deterring potential buyers. Regardless of whether a user edits videos daily or merely wants the option to trim family clips, it’s the perceived value that influences purchasing decisions.
When potential buyers consider a 0+ Googlebook, they inevitably compare it to a MacBook Neo equipped with a full version of Final Cut Pro or a similarly priced Windows laptop running the complete desktop version of Premiere Pro. For Googlebooks to gain serious traction, a fully-featured, desktop-class version of Premiere is essential at launch.
While I remain optimistic about the purple Premiere icon we spotted on the Lenovo dock, this mobile beta has raised some concerns. Let’s hope there’s a different version in development for Googlebooks, one that is nearing completion and poised for a grand reveal in the coming weeks.
SUBSCRIBE TO UPSTREAM
Get Chrome Unboxed delivered straight to your inbox
Upstream is our flagship, curated newsletter featuring top stories, enticing deals, giveaways, and trending articles from Chrome Unboxed, delivered directly to your inbox several times a week. Join over 31,000 subscribers today.
