Google has inadvertently made available on the Play Store a new app called Look up, designed for the Googlebook platform, only to quickly scrub all traces. The app, which promises to answer questions using highlighted text and integrate with Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Flights, has already been downloaded and tested on several Pixel phones. Despite its removal from the official listing, it can still be installed via sideloading on devices running Android 17.
The discovery was reported by 9to5Google, which noticed the sudden appearance of the app's listing before its complete deletion. The early release of Look up offers an intriguing glimpse into how Google intends to enhance the Googlebook experience, its new laptop platform that merges the best of Chrome OS and Android. With the first Googlebook devices expected to launch in the coming months, apps like this could make a significant difference in the ecosystem.
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Look up's features between contextual search and artificial intelligence
Look up is not a simple search app but an intelligent assistant designed to operate contextually. By selecting a portion of text on any screen, users can get immediate answers without having to switch to a browser. The app taps into Google Search for general information, Google Maps for directions, and Google Flights for flights and destinations. Additionally, it includes a chatbot mode that allows follow-up questions, making the interaction more fluid and conversational.
Sideloading on Android 17 and compatibility with the Googlebook platform
Since Google has removed Look up from the Play Store, users who wish to try it must proceed with manual installation via an APK file. Tests conducted on Pixel phones running Android 17 show that the app works as expected. It is likely that Look up was intended to be a pre-installed app on future Googlebook laptops, which are slated to hit the market this fall. The Googlebook platform represents a major bet for Google, aiming to compete with traditional notebooks and more advanced Chromebooks by offering a hybrid experience between mobile and desktop.
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The role of Look up in the future Googlebook ecosystem
The arrival of Look up may foreshadow Google's strategies to make its devices smarter and more interconnected. The ability to provide instant, context-aware answers opens up interesting scenarios for productivity and information retrieval. In a market where artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central, Google seems intent on integrating these capabilities directly into the operating system, reducing reliance on external services. While the company has not released any official statement about the incident, developers and enthusiasts are already analyzing Look up's code to uncover its hidden potential.
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In the meantime, those with a Pixel running Android 17 can still try the app via sideloading. However, it is important to be cautious about the source of APK files to avoid security risks. As the launch of the first Googlebooks approaches, further developments are expected, and perhaps Look up will return officially to the Play Store in a stable version. Until then, this incident provides a taste of what Google has in store for its new ecosystem.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/googlebook-look-up-app-play-store-3706244
