Google Opening Its Own Retail Stores By Year's End

[Gahars]

Not content to merely be the de facto search engine of the internet, Google has been doing what some would call soul searching as it has expanded its brand. From maps to smartphones and self-driving cars and augmented reality, Google's sticking its fingers into more and more pies.

Well, it looks like the next flavor is "Retail store chain".

In a move that would help Google (GOOG) continue its push beyond the Internet and into the realm of consumer electronics, the company reportedly plans to open its own retail stores ahead of the holidays this year. 9to5Google says a single “extremely reliable source” confirmed that Google will open stores in several major metropolitan areas across the United States.

BGR

I never thought that Google would want to be chained down like this, but hey, shows what I know.

Reportedly, the stores will be used to promote and sell their Nexus-brand devices (unfortunately, Kirk and Picard are not included) and computers running Chrome OS. While I can only speculate, I'm sure that Google will use the stores to push Google Glass once that is released.

Google has yet to comment, but I'd bet that this is spot on - and I'm feeling lucky.

 

[The Catboy]

I am not sure how to feel about this. I am interested in see what comes out of it, but it seems a bit overboard. They have pretty much invested into everything thus far.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

u wot mate.

I dunno, I'd go to a Google Store every once in a while to check shit out. Sounds pretty ok to me.

 

[Arras]

Does anyone actually want PCs with Chrome OS?

 

[jalaneme]

what are they exactly going to sell? not much I would have thought, it seems pointless.

 

[Gahars]

what are they exactly going to sell? not much I would have thought, it seems pointless.

Reportedly, the stores will be used to promote and sell their Nexus-brand devices (unfortunately, Kirk and Picard are not included) and computers running Chrome OS. While I can only speculate, I'm sure that Google will use the stores to push Google Glass once that is released.

 

[Hells Malice]

what are they exactly going to sell? not much I would have thought, it seems pointless.

Er, goods, electronics, etc? Like any other retail store?...

 

[Bladexdsl]

what are they exactly going to sell?

robots and androids

 

[FAST6191]

Well if they break up the monotony of coffee shops and charity shops I guess I can say yay or something like that.

 

[Sterling]

Does anyone actually want PCs with Chrome OS?

I do. Lightweight books with Chrome OS are amazing for what they do. I spend 90% of my time on my computer on the internet. Recently I've been writing my stories on Google Docs instead of Microsoft word, so my next computer will likely have some flavour of Chrome OS running in a dual-boot.

 

[shakirmoledina]

Google wants to rule the world. Their leader will be the dbz character with google glasses.

 

[Janthran]

Chrome OS is crap and they know it. Why do this google

 

[Sychophantom]

Chrome OS is crap and they know it. Why do this google

It's not crap. It's just not powerful.

Chrome OS is built for those people who would have bought WEBTV instead. It gets to your email, some basic sites, and porn. That's all they need.

 

[Janthran]

It's not crap. It's just not powerful.

Chrome OS is built for those people who would have bought WEBTV instead. It gets to your email, some basic sites, and porn. That's all they need.

Yeah that's the same thing as it being crap. They could just go buy a $50 tablet or something and it would be better

 

[Guild McCommunist]

Yeah that's the same thing as it being crap. They could just go buy a $50 tablet or something and it would be better

Because $50 tablets are reliable.

 

[Sychophantom]

Yeah that's the same thing as it being crap. They could just go buy a $50 tablet or something and it would be better

They could, but then there's no DVD drive, no physical keyboard, no possible chance of upgrading anything but the software...

Tablets are pretty much treated as disposable by most companies. Laptops still tend to get service a bit longer.

 

[Sterling]

Yeah that's the same thing as it being crap. They could just go buy a $50 tablet or something and it would be better

Crap it may be for you, but for others it's all they need. If there wasn't a market for this stuff, you can bet Google wouldn't be investing time and money into it.

 

[Janthran]

They could, but then there's no DVD drive, no physical keyboard, no possible chance of upgrading anything but the software...

Tablets are pretty much treated as disposable by most companies. Laptops still tend to get service a bit longer.

Uh.. Can Chromebooks view DVDs?
The explanation I got was that it was browser only..

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Yeah that's the same thing as it being crap. They could just go buy a $50 tablet or something and it would be better

"It doesn't do what I do on a PC, therefore it's crap"

Just because it doesn't function to your standards doesn't mean it doesn't function to others.

A Chromebook would be perfect for my Grandma or my Mother, both being computer illiterate and only use it for Facebook/emails.

 

[Sychophantom]

Uh.. Can Chromebooks view DVDs?
The explanation I got was that it was browser only..

Pretty sure some have DVD drives. Maybe it's an option. I know ChromeOS has, or at least had planned, desktops too.

Truthfully, I want one for shits and giggles. I know a very computer illiterate person who has one, and she loves it, more than her tablet.