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Android-powered Googlebooks win and lose on Android

A reviewer says his first week with the new Android laptops was rocky, yet native phone apps impressed him; he stops short of love.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Tonight
Published 7:53 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The Verge: “Android is the best and worst thing about Googlebooks”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 7:53 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Googlebooks, Android.
BBN covered this story before: New Kindle Users Report Odd Display Issue, Android Central Says (October 9).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA reviewer at The Verge spent a week with the new Android-powered Googlebooks and says every impressive moment came from Android, while the rest was rocky.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo it's a phone with a keyboard. That's the dream, the apps you already have, just bigger.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThat's a phone wearing a laptop's coat.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe reviewer says native versions of useful apps were the highlight, which means the laptop part is the part that needs work.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd he says he's learning to like it. Love is a ways off, but like is a start.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA week in, and the best review you can give a laptop is that you've stopped resenting it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentLow bar.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentAsk your own laptop how long you've known it before you said love. It'll tell you.