Googlebook OS on Mac

A developer named Skylar Taylor-Barrick found a way to run Googlebook OS on a Mac using a project called gbos-vm. This project uses a virtual machine, which simulates a computer environment inside a window on the Mac, allowing the Googlebook OS to operate without the actual hardware.

Discovery of the project

The American website TweakTown reported on October 11 that this method was possible, a week after the Googlebooks laptops became available for sale. These laptops combine Android and Chrome OS in a unique way, and now users can explore the system without buying the device, as long as they have a recent Mac.

Technical adaptations

Googlebook OS is built on Android and uses Vulkan, a graphics interface that lets apps interact with a computer’s graphics chip. However, Macs use Metal, Apple’s version of this interface. To bridge the gap, the project uses MoltenVK, a tool that translates between Vulkan and Metal, allowing the Mac’s graphics chip to support the OS efficiently.

Installation and requirements

The gbos-vm project includes a script that downloads the official recovery image of the Dell Googlebook from Google’s servers, which is about 9 gigabytes. It then replaces the hardware-specific parts of the system with virtual components from Cuttlefish, a Google project that mimics an Android device. The entire system is launched through a Mac application, but it requires an Apple chip Mac with 16 gigabytes of RAM and 60 gigabytes of free space, along with Apple and Android development tools.

Supported hardware and limitations

Skylar Taylor-Barrick tested the setup on a MacBook with an M5 chip, and users have since confirmed it works with M1 Pro, M2 Max, and M4 chips, including a Mac mini M4. However, some bugs remain, such as Bluetooth crashes at startup and a security chip process that restarts in a loop. The system also lacks hardware-based encryption protection, as the virtual machine doesn’t have a dedicated security chip.

Recommendations and caution

Skylar Taylor-Barrick advises using the setup only for testing and suggests reading the security section before connecting to any external services. Connecting a main Google account to the system is not recommended. Even on a real Googlebook, the system has limitations, especially with Linux applications, highlighting that the experience is still in development.