It may not be on a barge, but Google has opened its first-ever retail location.
The new Google shop is located inside Currys PC World in London's Tottenham Court Road, offering shoppers the chance to sample the Web giant's lineup of Android phones and tablets, Chromebook laptops, and Chromecast streaming devices. Visitors will also be able to get some hands-on time with Google's software tools and apps in new and unique ways.
For instance, the store features an "immersive surround screen installation" dubbed "Portal," (pictured below), which will let you virtually fly through any part of the planet with Google Earth. There's also a Doodle Wall, were the artistically inclined can use digital spray cans to pain their own version of Google's logo, then share it on social media. Another cool store feature — a "Chromecast Pod" where you can sit back and enjoy Google Play movies and YouTube videos.
Google is also planning to host regular classes at its new retail location, teaching visitors how to use the devices and stay secure online. There will also be events for the public, including "virtual space camps," to teach children the basics of coding and open houses for teachers to keep them up to speed on the free educational tools Google offers.
"We're incredibly excited to launch this space," Google's James Elias said in a statement. "The pace of innovation of the devices we all use is incredible, yet the way we buy them has remained the same for years. With the Google shop, we want to offer people a place where they can play, experiment, and learn about all of what Google has to offer."
Google plans to open two additional retail locations later this year in Currys PC World's Fulham and Thurrock Megastores.
Online retail giant Amazon has experimented with pop-up stores in California, as well as pick-up locations in New York.
For more, see PCMag's roundup of The Best Chromebooks.