Google Admits Some Android Apps May Lag on Intel-Based Googlebooks

Google has acknowledged that its newly launched Googlebook laptops with Intel chips may not run every Android app as smoothly as expected. According to a statement given to Android Authority, the company said that while the entire Play Store library is available on all models, some complex apps or games require additional work from developers to perform well on Intel-based hardware.

The issue stems from the fact that many Android apps were originally built for Arm processors, which are used in most smartphones and tablets. Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, found in the Dell and HP Googlebook models, use the Arm architecture and thus have greater compatibility. The three other launch models from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo run on x86 Intel chips.

"The vast majority of Android apps run smoothly across both Intel and Qualcomm Googlebooks right out of the box," Google said in its statement. "Because many Android apps were originally designed for Arm chips, a small handful of complex apps or games need some developer tuning to run their best on Intel-based platforms. We're working hand-in-hand with app developers, Intel, and Qualcomm to continuously optimize performance and expand compatibility across the entire portfolio."

Google did not specify how many apps are affected, nor did it name any particular apps that might have problems. The admission came on the same day the first Googlebooks went on sale.

Previously, Google had promoted the laptops as offering access to the full range of Android apps, along with special interactions with Android phones and tablets. The company's messaging now includes a caveat about performance on Intel models.

For potential buyers, the key question is whether the apps they rely on will run well. Without a list of affected apps, it's impossible to know for sure. However, Google's statement suggests that most everyday apps should be fine, and only a small number of demanding apps or games might need improvement.

The Verge notes that it will be testing all five Googlebook models and will report back on any specific issues. Until then, consumers considering an Intel-based Googlebook may want to check if their most-used apps are among those that could need tuning. Those who prioritize broad app compatibility might lean toward the Qualcomm models, which are Arm-based and thus more natively aligned with Android's origins.

Google's acknowledgment is a reminder that despite efforts to unify app experiences across different chip architectures, challenges remain. The company says it is collaborating with developers and chipmakers to close the gap, but no timeline has been provided for when all apps will run optimally on Intel hardware.