Story thread

Googlebook Better Together launch

Googlebook’s Better Together phone features are launching, but some of the main functions still do not work on Samsung phones yet.

3 stories from 2 sources · since Oct 6

Clio’s read on this thread

Googlebook Better Together launched with its cross-device phone features working only with Pixel phones, leaving Samsung support missing at first. That gap raised execution and adoption risk for CIOs managing mixed Android fleets. By Oct. 12, Google had reportedly enabled Samsung Galaxy support, improving the case for the integrated device strategy.

Key points

  • At launch, Better Together’s phone features worked only with Pixel phones, not Samsung devices.
  • Android Police said Samsung devices on Android 17 were unsupported; Android 16 or earlier also lacked compatibility.
  • The missing support limited the value of Googlebook’s deep Android integration for enterprise users.
  • By Oct. 12, Google had enabled Better Together on Samsung Galaxy phones.
  • CIOs were advised to treat the feature as pilot-only until compatibility and support commitments are proven.

Where coverage agrees

  • Better Together launched with important Samsung phone compatibility gaps.Ars Technica · Android Police
  • The compatibility gap reduced usefulness for mixed-device enterprise fleets and collaboration workflows.Ars Technica · Android Police
  • Google later added Samsung Galaxy support for Better Together.Android Police
  1. One of the biggest issues in Googlebooks is finally fixedAndroid Police · Oct 12 · Clio 51
  2. Googlebook's best feature doesn't work with Samsung phones yetAndroid Police · Oct 7 · Clio 54
  3. Googlebook "Better Together" phone features don't work with Samsung at launchArs Technica · Oct 6 · Clio 65