Google Barges Are No More
Google had hoped to establish floating tech exhibit halls on the US Coast which would be housed on barges. They had hoped that the barges or floating exhibit halls would be interactive spaces for people to learn about new technology. This seems to be no longer the case as it has sold a barge it had moored in Maine at the port of Portland for the purpose.
The barge was one of two that the company had moored on the coast on which they erected large structures. The structures were to create what they referred to as, “a surprising environment that inspires conversation community and ‘aha’ moments.” Many saw this as Google’s attempt to outdo Apple’s retail stores.
It is said that Google was to use the barges to showcase Google glass in a place where people could be allowed to try on the devices and experience how they work. You will remember that when initially distributing the device to developers, the company invited buyers to a similar showroom at its headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Google Glass Project Founder Moves To Amazon.com
This scrapping of the barges does not auger well for the Google glass device as it has been struggling for consumers to accept it. Unfortunately, it has been doing dismally in the market and didn’t even warrant any major attention at Google’s developer conference in July. In the same month, Google glass project founder Babak Parvis left Google for a position in Amazon.com indicating further the precarious position of the device.
Now with the scrapping of one of the barges that were supposed to showcase the Google glass devices, it indicates a lot of doubt as concerns the company’s commitment to the innovation. There may be hope yet as one of the barges that had been anchored on the West coast is still in existence although it has been moved to the Port of Stockton due to a lack of necessary permits. However, many critics are skeptical about this as there is widespread belief that any other barges will also follow the scrap route. It is truly sad that such a promising idea did not take flight or stay afloat as the case may be.
