Google set to open first pop-up stores inside Best Buy locations in Canada

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Google has released a lot of new hardware, including the impressive Pixel smartphone with the new Assistant software, Google Home, Google Wi-Fi, Daydream View VR headset as well as a bevy of Chromecast devices plus Chromebooks which have become the darling of the educational market.

The best way to get these products into the hands of customers is to properly demonstrate them in a retail store environment. While Google isn't opening its own stores (yet), it's made some moves to have a retail presence to show off all this neat stuff. They had a pop-up store in NYC and coming this month, they will invite Canadian customers to sample first-hand the new products and services that they just launched.

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Apple Stores are now just Apple stores

Take special notice of the capitalization. Apple Stores will no longer be called Apple Stores. Instead, these “community hubs” will simply go by Apple *insert store’s location*. For example, the newly opened Apple store in World Trade Center is now just Apple World Trade Center. The tech company is looking to reframe the idea of its stores just being a place to purchase Apple products and accessories. There will be things like 6K video screens, greenery, and even the dismantling of Genius Bar setups in some stores to put in more seats. This change is spearheaded by Apple’s Senior VP for retail Angela Ahrendts. She was quoted saying at the unveiling of Apple Union Square, “The store becomes one with the community.”

Some of the other changes you can expect in Apple’s stores will include a more boutique feel to them with seasonal displays that will showcase various products. This time, they’re showing off iPhone photography accessory. It goes to show Apple is looking to sell you a lifestyle instead of just products.

Source: The Verge

Apple Stores going green to observe Earth Day

If you chance upon an Apple Retail Store this weekend, notice how they've placed a green leaf on the Apple Logo and check out the Specialists' clothing. Apple is one of the companies ramping up commitment to the environment by switching their world famous Apple shopping bags from plastic to recycleable paper, the bags will also be offered if you want them. Apple has also partnered with the WWF for an Apps for Earth initiative.

Source: 9to5Mac

New Google patent aims to offer free taxi rides for online shoppers to stores

Google is imaging a new method to entice online shoppers to head over to retail stores. The tech giant recently received a patent that is meant to develop means for online ads that can offer consumers free taxi rides to actual stores in order to avail certain promotions. According to The Verge, this concept can involve various software algorithms and even Google’s self-driving cars. A “get me there” button could appear near the ad and trigger a ride. However, the trick will be getting the right customer and not just someone who would just want to take a free ride to the store.

Google says in the patent filing, “The invention involves automatically comparing the cost of transportation and the potential profit from a completed transaction using a number of real-time calculations.”