Google: Googlebooks Lack Full Linux App Support at Launch
Google confirms that GUI Linux apps are not the main focus for the initial release of its Googlebook laptops, requiring command-line installation.
Google has confirmed that its new Googlebook laptops do not offer the same user-friendly approach to installing and running Linux apps as Chromebooks. According to 9to5Google, the company stated that for the initial release of Googlebook, graphical user interface (GUI) apps are not the main focus.
On Googlebooks, users must install Linux applications through Android's Terminal using a command-line interface. Once installed, these Linux apps do not appear in the app drawer and can only be launched via the CLI. This contrasts with the experience on Chromebooks, where Linux apps are integrated into the launcher.
Some early adopters have reported issues with Linux apps on Googlebook, noting that GIMP often stops accepting mouse input. This suggests that the current implementation may have stability problems.
Background
ChromeOS has supported a Linux development environment for years, allowing users to install Debian packages and run them directly from the app drawer. Google promotes Googlebooks as the evolution of its Chromebooks.