Googlebooks Revives Physical Navigation Buttons: A Surprising Twist

Exploring the Unique Features of Googlebooks Keyboards

Many users have a misconception that the Quick Insert and Google logo keys on Googlebooks are new additions. However, these keys actually made their debut a couple of years ago on certain Chromebooks. What truly sets Googlebooks apart is a feature borrowed from Android phones dating back to 2014.

On every Googlebook keyboard, you’ll find the F1, F2, and F3 keys adorned with the old triangle, circle, and square navigation icons that were first introduced with Android 5.0 Lollipop. These icons, serving as back, home, and app switcher buttons, were the primary means of navigation before the shift to gesture-based controls. Even today, they remain a feature on Android phones, offering an alternative navigation method on Android 17. On Googlebook OS, these keys function as expected: the triangle navigates back, the circle acts as the “home” button by minimizing all open apps, and the square allows you to view all open apps similar to Mission Control on macOS or Task View on Windows.

The presence of these familiar buttons across all Googlebooks offers a sense of continuity and convenience. The back button proves particularly useful when interacting with Android apps that may not be optimized for desktop interfaces or mouse controls. One minor drawback is the absence of a feature where a second press of the home button could restore all open apps to their previous states, a functionality known as desktop peeking that requires a different keyboard shortcut.

For enthusiasts of Android technology, the presence of these iconic buttons on Googlebooks serves as a nostalgic reminder of the platform’s evolution. They also serve as a practical fallback option for users when faced with the idiosyncrasies of Android’s behavior.