Google might be doing a lot of things right this year (for a change) in both the hardware and software spaces, preparing what looks like the most… unique smartphone out there after designing quite possibly its most boring device ever in 2020 while also joining forces with Samsung to revive and vastly improve Wear OS ahead of the prospective launch of a long overdue Pixel Watch.
2021 is shaping up like an unusually eventful year for Google
That’s a lot of firsts for a company that’s been around since 1998, and it could (further) suggest that the US-based tech titan is fi-nal-ly looking to take the consumer hardware business (a little more) seriously.
The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are by far Google’s most highly anticipated products of 2021
Additionally, there will be “experts” (cough, geniuses, cough) “on hand” as well to help customers with device installations and various other issues of both a software and hardware nature. Last but certainly not least, you’ll obviously be able to pick up your online order if you so desire.
The beginning of a beautiful expansion effort?
For the time being, there are no words on any sort of expansion plans (either domestic or international), but if the first offline Google Store proves successful, something tells us 2021 could mark the beginning of a beautiful diversification effort on the search giant’s part.
West 14th Street Apple Store in New York
In the short term, of course, it might be wise of Big G to keep its expectations relatively low due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the New York vaccination pace is certainly impressive, visitors will still be required to wear masks, use hand sanitation, and practice social distancing indoors, at least if guidance from local and national authorities doesn’t change until the store actually opens its doors.
Perhaps more importantly, the number of “guests” inside will be “limited” at first to ensure customers “feel safe during their shopping experience”, which emphasizes the somewhat odd timing of this expansion into the physical retail channel.
