Google has confirmed that its new Googlebook laptops do not support the "Better Together" integration features with Samsung smartphones at launch, despite the devices running the required operating system. This limitation contradicts earlier marketing claims that the hardware was "engineered to work with your Android phone right out of the box," raising questions about the immediate utility of the platform's cross-device promise for non-Pixel users.
The Googlebooks are positioned as a competitive entry into the premium laptop market, with tight Android integration serving as a primary differentiator. To access features such as app streaming, file access, and notification mirroring, users must have a phone running Android 17. While recent Samsung devices, including the Z Fold 8, ship with Android 17, early adopters reported that the connection between the laptop and phone would drop shortly after establishing a link.
Google representatives acknowledged these complaints and verified that the "Better Together" features are currently unsupported on Samsung hardware. The company stated that an update enabling this functionality for Samsung phones is expected to roll out in the coming weeks. Until that update arrives, the seamless cross-device experience remains exclusive to compatible Pixel devices.