Google Says Detachable Googlebooks Are Next in Line

Google said detachable devices will be the next form factor in its Googlebook lineup, expanding the Android-based laptop range beyond clamshell and convertible designs. The company outlined the plan at the Android Dev Summit 2026, but has not announced a launch date or shown a detachable device, according to reports of the announcement. A detachable Googlebook would pair a tablet screen with a keyboard that can be removed, rather than relying on a laptop hinge that folds the display back. Google’s first lineup includes conventional clamshell laptops and the Acer Googlebook 14, which can fold into tablet mode. The new form factor would let users separate the screen from the keyboard for tablet use. Googlebook OS is built on Android and is intended to provide a more desktop-oriented experience. But some interface elements, including the home screen, app drawer and Overview, are currently restricted to landscape mode, according to reporting on the software. Fullscreen apps can run in portrait orientation. Those limitations could affect how the operating system works on a device designed to be used without its keyboard, though Google has not demonstrated the planned hardware. A...