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AppWizard
October 6, 2026
Google's new Googlebook cross-device features require a smartphone running Android 17 to access functionalities like phone app streaming, task continuity, and shared file access. Only recent Google Pixel models and Samsung foldable devices with One UI 9 come pre-installed with Android 17, leaving many users with older flagship and mid-range devices unable to utilize these features. New models, such as the POCO F9 series, also launch with Android 16, making them incompatible. Additionally, applications with DRM-protected content or sensitive information will not stream to the laptop, displaying a blank privacy screen instead. The features are included at no extra cost, but their availability depends on the smartphone's Android version.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
Google is adding a Focus Peaking feature to its Snapseed app, which helps users identify in-focus areas by highlighting them in the viewfinder. This feature can be toggled on and off in the camera settings and is designed to assist with manual focusing for both still photography and video recording. The latest version of Snapseed (v4.1.10.992428248) includes evidence of this feature, although it is still under development and may not function correctly at this stage. Additionally, the update improves LUT workflows by adding support for HaldCLUT.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
Users in the Google Messages and Pixel communities are experiencing issues sending media via RCS, with some unable to send files at all and others facing delays where all files are sent simultaneously. These problems reportedly began after an August update. Google has acknowledged the bug affecting some users and is rolling out a fix, which may take a couple of weeks to reach everyone. This situation is similar to past issues with Google Messages, where a server-side patch resolved media sending failures. Additionally, Samsung Galaxy users faced RCS chat failures earlier this year after using Smart Switch, prompting Google to collaborate with carriers to address the problems.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
The recently launched Googlebooks features include Quick Access functionality, allowing seamless file management between a paired Android phone and the Googlebook. Users can access their phone's Downloads, Documents, and Camera folders through the Files app. Quick Access supports drag-and-drop for files under 200MB, while larger files should use the Quick Share feature. Another feature, Files AI, provides instant descriptions of files and enhances file searching by allowing users to search for an image's subject rather than just file names. Users need a device running Android 17 or newer to utilize these features, and Files AI may take up to an hour to activate and has limitations during low battery conditions.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
Google has acknowledged that not all Android applications will function flawlessly on its newly launched Googlebooks powered by Intel processors. Users may find better compatibility with devices utilizing ARM-based Qualcomm chips. Google stated that the “vast majority” of Android apps on the Play Store operate without issues, but some complex applications may encounter challenges. The company is working with app developers, Intel, and Qualcomm to optimize performance and expand compatibility. Devices like the Dell XPS and HP Googlebook feature Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPUs, while Lenovo, ASUS, and Acer Googlebooks have Intel Core Ultra 5 processors. These laptops are designed for AI-first usage, come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and promise up to 14 hours of battery life.
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