I visited the physical Google store in NYC and it was... fine

Craig Wilson July 23, 2021 Tech Buy Chrome Dino socks, T-shirts, caps or, you know, Google's growing selection of hardware, which you can also have repaired on-site. Craig Wilson / Input

Google, the search giant, world’s largest marketplace for digital advertisements, smart home device maker, creator of the Pixel range of phones, and now-owner of Fitbit has opened a physical store at its offices in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Craig Wilson / Input

Before you even get inside there’s a slice of the tweeness the company loves to project. 🙄 Craig Wilson / Input

Inside, that vibe continues. Cork furniture, carefully selected books made to look casually placed, and cheerful assistants ready to sell you devices or answer your questions about them. Craig Wilson / Input

Of course, there’s merch...

...lots of merch

From socks... Craig Wilson / Input

...to caps...

...to T-shirts...

...to pencils with dad jokes printed on them.

Plus, there’s a help desk where you can get your Google devices repaired.

And somewhere to wait if the required repairs aren’t too drastic.

This strange shower-like space takes your words and translates them into hundreds of languages, displaying the results across three screens while lights flash. Craig Wilson / Input

It does make for good selfies, though.

Google’s also installed three experiential spaces to show off its wares: Craig Wilson / Input

A Stadia room

A Google Home room

And a Pixel room

Snap selfies using the Pixel’s various cameras and features like Night Sight, and then scan a QR code to get them. Craig Wilson / Input

And yes, even the stairwell to the restroom is Google-ified.

The Google Store isn’t as slick or stylish as an Apple Store, but then, Apple’s had far more practice. As a space meant to showcase what the company pretends to stand for, and which it’s clearly spent a lot of money on, it’s a success, though. It’s playful and unpretentious... and there’s finally somewhere to take your Fitbit when it breaks. If you’re in New York, that is. Craig Wilson / Input

If you want to check it out for yourself, the Google Store is at 76 9th Ave, New York. It’s open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m Monday thru Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Craig Wilson / Input

🎮 Here’s every handheld gaming PC hitting the market right now ⫸⫸⫸

Thanks for reading, head home for more!

Thanks for reading,
head home for more!