According to a new report out of India, Google could soon launch brick-and-mortar stores in the country to push its hardware offerings, namely the Pixel brand. Speaking to three sources who are familiar with Google’s plan, the India Times reports that the shops and possibly a few “experience centers” will launch some time in 2018 at large malls.
Fueling this concept is the popularity of pop-up shops Google hosted in Indian malls recently. The pop-up shops must’ve done quite well, as it is reported Google has hired an ex-Apple senior executive as part of the retail plan and requests for store space have already been received by two large malls.
For us in the US, the best we can do to get hands-on with Google hardware at launch is through Best Buy, other select retailers, and carrier stores. As far as I know, Best Buy is one of the only places you can actually spend some time with a Pixelbook before dropping over $1,000 on one, so the idea of an actual Google store is incredibly tantalizing to someone like me.
What say you? If Google were to open up physical retail locations in the US, would you check them out?
// India Times
There was one such pop up stall at a mall near me. One could use the Pixel 2 and 2 XL and take photos in a booth.The photos could also be sent to our smartphone through bluetooth.
We’ve had the Google Pop Ups here in LA and NY. It was really cool to visit the LA one, even if it couldn’t convince me to drop +$900 on a Pixelbook.
Off topic but Tuesday and Wednesday my og pixel switched to a black notification shade, black feed, and black background for all my folders. Today it changed back to white. Did this happen to anyone else? I’m guessing Google is testing things with a server side update.
Have you changed the wallpaper?
No change to the wallpaper in about 2 weeks. Everything just changed a few days ago and changed back this morning. Nothing was done or changed on my end at all.
I would. I agree that they need to increase their hardware offerings, but I believe the additional, personal customer support they could provide in store would also be a huge benefit for them. I can see this happening in the next 3 years as their hardware division grows.
I think in the next few years Google might be able to pull it off. Up until this year, they didn’t have much hardware to show of (can’t have a store with only software). I hope that with more products being launched every year, it’ll grow their inventory!
Whats so interesting about googles products other than the pixel and the pixelbook?
Exactly. If they charge me $50-$80 for porting Pixel OS to a Galaxy S8 in Google store, I’d definitely pay them a visit.
Why not just buy a pixel then?
I’m using Pixel 2, but I miss Samsung design, fit & finish.
agree samsung hardware + pure Android
Accessories, trying things first hand before you buy. The whole point of a retail shop is to experience the product before you get a chance to buy it.
Don’t need it. They don’t have enough products. Their main hardware is all at best buy.
I’d absolutely visit a Google store in my mall.
Would you buy from it?
Google is very stingy with discounts with direct purchases. So helllll no.
Most likely…I buy from the online store, so why wouldn’t I buy from the brick and mortar store?
I always prefer retail stores instead of online for purchases like these. You get your product right away and it is easier to deal with if there is any problem.
I’m all for it as long as they would sell the unlocked Pixels and not the Verizon ones like the pop-up stores did this year.
Amazing