Googlebook Glowbar Brings Back Pixel Light Bar, Minus Knock-Knock
The new Googlebook Glowbar shows battery status when plugged in and unplugged and interacts with Gemini, but drops the lid-tap gesture from the Chromebook Pixel.
Google's new Googlebook Glowbar revives the light bar idea from the Chromebook Pixel, showing battery status when the machine is plugged in, according to 9to5google.com.
The Glowbar also displays battery status when the laptop is unplugged, and it shows an animation when the lid is closed. It interacts with Gemini as well.
One feature from the original Pixel does not return: the "knock-knock" lid tap gesture. On the earlier machines, tapping the lid was enough to check battery status without opening the laptop; the Glowbar omits that gesture.
What the original Pixel offered
The first Chromebook Pixel launched in 2013, followed by a second model in 2015. Both included a four-piece light bar across the top of the lid, and the same light bar later appeared on the Pixel C tablet. On those Chromebook Pixels, plugging in the laptop made the light bar show a rough idea of the battery charge, while a knock-knock tap on the lid showed battery status on demand.
Quick answers
What is the Googlebook Glowbar?
It is a light bar on the new Googlebook that shows battery status when the machine is plugged in and unplugged, shows an animation when the lid is closed, and interacts with Gemini.
Does the Glowbar have the knock-knock lid tap gesture?
No. The Glowbar does not include the knock-knock lid tap gesture that the original Chromebook Pixel used to show battery status.
When did the original Chromebook Pixel launch?
The first Chromebook Pixel launched in 2013, and a follow-up model launched in 2015. Both had a four-piece light bar across the top of the lid.