Googlebooks Go on Sale as Google Details Glowbar, Game Controls, and Unlockable Bootloaders

The launch marks Google's re-entry into the premium laptop space. Google announced the devices recently and opened pre-orders the same day, according to Android Authority. The pre-order phase sold out. Two weeks later, as the Googlebook devices go on sale, Google added new support pages to help buyers set up and customize the Android-based laptops.

One support page explains the Glowbar, the RGB LED strip on the back of the laptop. The strip stays dimly lit in white when the Googlebook is in use and glows brighter when the laptop is charging. The VIBGYOR seven-color spectrum from violet to red only appears when the device has just been woken up or put into sleep. The light also indicates battery status: it glows or flashes red when the battery is low, amber when the battery reaches a usable level between 20 and 59 percent, and green after it hits 60 percent. The level of completeness increases as the battery level increases. The Glowbar cycles through blue and purple colors when a user is talking to Gemini. Google gives users the option to turn the feature off completely or turn it off only while speaking with Gemini.

Another support page details Game Controls, which lets users assign keys to on-screen controls for Android games running on Googlebooks. Per-game controls can be defined by clicking the application's name on the title bar, then Settings, and then toggling on Game Controls. Besides regular taps, Googlebook users can assign joystick controls, which can be triggered using regular keys while gaming.

Google also explains how to use Googlebook's built-in PDF and document editor, which Android Authority dug up last week. The pages cover AI features including Gboard's Writing Tools, Circle to Search, Rambler, Antigravity and more. Google has also published troubleshooting resources. Along with written documents, Google released a video walking users through the thought process behind Googlebook OS, and Android Authority said the video shows a heavy macOS influence, as was visible in previous demonstrations.

Separately, a new official support document confirms that Googlebooks will have unlockable bootloaders. Android Authority reported that the steps appear to be quite simple, almost Pixel-like. John Wu, the creator of Magisk and a Google employee, announced on X that Magisk is coming to Googlebooks. "Magisk on Googlebook. New code and instructions will come in the following days," Wu wrote. The move presumably opens the gate for easy root access. Unlocking the bootloader will allow deep system modifications, performance tuning, ad blocking and more, giving the Googlebook OS platform a competitive edge for power users, according to Android Authority.

Googlebook OS is a desktop-centric operating system powered by Android. The support pages and bootloader policy arrive as Google pushes the platform toward a desktop future while retaining its Android roots, Android Authority reported.