Google’s next laptop line and the phone‑to‑PC push
Google is gearing up to launch a new family of laptops – dubbed Googlebooks – that sit somewhere between a traditional Chromebook and a full‑blown Windows notebook. Unlike Chromebooks, which run Chrome OS, Googlebooks will be built on an Android core, promising tighter integration with the Android ecosystem. The company has already hinted that these devices will support Cast My Apps, a feature that lets you stream Android apps from your phone directly onto the laptop’s screen.
A hidden “Cast trackpad” shows up in the code
While digging through the latest build of Google’s Cross‑Device Services system app (version 1.0.1283.974003524), Android Authority’s Ryan‑Thomas Shaw uncovered a previously unseen screen labelled Cast trackpad. The UI includes a virtual touchpad area, separate buttons for Back, Volume Up, and Volume Down, and a slider for adjusting sensitivity. According to the code comments, the tool is designed to interpret finger gestures on the phone and translate them into cursor movements on a connected device.
“The feature will support basic gesture controls to differentiate between inputs, letting you point at as well as interact with screen objects,” the article notes, summarising the leak.
The functionality is not yet exposed to end users – it lives behind a flag that only developers or those with a rooted device can enable – but its presence strongly suggests Google is planning a two‑way casting experience: not only can you project apps from phone to laptop, you can also control the laptop from the phone.
How it could work in practice
Imagine you’re delivering a presentation from a Googlebook hooked up to a projector in a conference room. With the Cast trackpad active, you could leave the laptop on the podium and walk to the back of the room, using your phone as a remote to:
- Advance slides with a swipe.
- Switch between presentation mode and a web browser without touching the laptop.
- Adjust the volume or mute the microphone on the fly.
Because the feature is built into the Cross‑Device Services framework, it would likely work over Wi‑Fi Direct or a standard local network, meaning no extra dongles or Bluetooth pairing would be required. The sensitivity slider hints that Google is aware of the need to fine‑tune the cursor speed for different use‑cases – from precise graphic work to quick slide‑advancing.
Apple’s continuity as a benchmark
Apple has long enjoyed a seamless hand‑off between iPhone, iPad and Mac, with features like Universal Control and Sidecar allowing a phone or tablet to become a trackpad or secondary display. Google’s move appears to be a direct response, aiming to give Android users a comparable level of cross‑device fluidity. While Apple’s solution is polished and widely available, Google’s approach is still in the prototype stage, and there’s no guarantee the feature will ship exactly as leaked.
What this means for UK Android shoppers
For consumers in the United Kingdom who are already looking at Googlebooks as a potential replacement for a Chromebook, the addition of a phone‑based trackpad could be a deciding factor. Many UK businesses and schools already issue Android phones to staff and students; a built‑in remote‑control capability would reduce the need for separate presentation clickers or Bluetooth keyboards.
If the feature makes it to the final product, we could see contract bundles that pair a Googlebook with a compatible Android handset, possibly with promotional pricing from carriers such as EE, O2 or Three. That would align with the current trend of bundled device deals, where a laptop, phone and data plan are sold together at a discount.
Caveats and timeline
It’s important to remember that a teardown of an APK only predicts what might appear in a future release. Google could scrap the Cast trackpad, delay it, or ship it under a different name. The first wave of Googlebooks is expected later this autumn, with manufacturers like Lenovo, Asus and Samsung reportedly lining up to produce the hardware. If the trackpad is included, it will likely arrive as part of a software update rather than out‑of‑the‑box, meaning early adopters may need to wait a few weeks after launch.
Bottom line
The discovery of a hidden Cast trackpad inside Google’s Cross‑Device Services app adds another piece to the puzzle of how Google intends to blur the line between phone and laptop. Should the feature roll out, it would give Android users a handy, wireless way to control their Googlebooks – a capability that could make the new laptops more attractive to UK buyers who value flexibility and integrated workflows. Keep an eye on upcoming firmware updates and the official Googlebook announcements later this year for the final verdict.
All information is based on a leak of pre‑release software and may change before the official launch.
