WTH is Google up to?

[Minskaya]

Google's mystery barges revealed as luxury showrooms with party deck
Fri Nov 1, 2013

Google Inc's mysterious barges, which prompted fevered speculation about everything from offshore data centers to floating research labs, may serve a more prosaic role as upscale party venues and showrooms. The multi-story vessels made out of stacked shipping containers, one moored in the San Francisco Bay and the other at the Portland, Maine harbor, are invitation-only luxury showrooms for Google's Glass wearable computers and other gadgets, according to local San Francisco TV station KPIX. The structures will feature a top-floor "party deck," complete with "bars, lanais and other comforts," according to the report, which cited unnamed sources.

The project is being personally directed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, according to KPIX. Brin heads up the Google division developing Google Glass, a cross between a mobile computer and eyeglasses that allows users to surf the Web and record video.
On Monday, Google said that it would expand the availability of the $1,500 Glass devices. Google has allowed a limited number of carefully selected early adopters to buy test versions of the device this year, and will now allow each of those customers to "invite" three friends to purchase the gadget. The new showrooms could help Google build buzz for the wearable devices and its other hardware as it competes with more established hardware makers such as Apple Inc, which has hundreds of stylish retail outlets. The Google shipping containers can be quickly assembled and disassembled, according to KPIX, allowing the showrooms to be transported by truck, rail or barge to destinations such as ski resorts and beaches.

Source: Reuters

[DonBelt]

I think you have it Capt. They've talked before about having a back up capacity for areas impacted by natural disasters or terrorist attacks or just plain system failure. One of the pictures appears to show rods on the top of the structure that might be lightning rods similar to what you see at a large electric dist substation. Not something you see at stores like one article seemed to suggest they might be, but something you see in a structure housing electrical equipment. Of course, maybe they're just flag poles that will have buy google flags on them, but I think back up data servers.

[desertswo]

I'm thinking it's some sort of take on Continuity Of Operations in event of a national disaster. I shouldn't be surprised if whatever is maintained on board is a carbon copy of the another.

[Blademaster]

Offshore servers to allow Google to keep data of European customers (outside the US) once safe harbour pacts are cancelled?

Microsoft should build one too.

That won't work if it is in the harbor. It has to be anchored like 12 miles outside of any US territory and that is not feasible because you are practically on the ocean. And that never stopped the US from raiding such places.

[Captain Worley]

Cooling data servers from the water makes it more efficient and gives off huge energy savings and bills in the long run.

I sure hope they use an intermediate loop, if that's what it is.

Kinda looks like an OTEC plant, too.

[kato]

Offshore servers to allow Google to keep data of European customers (outside the US) once safe harbour pacts are cancelled?

Microsoft should build one too.

[citanon]

Cooling data servers from the water makes it more efficient and gives off huge energy savings and bills in the long run.

Also gives gigantic sea water hot tubs to help Googlers relax.

[Blademaster]

Cooling data servers from the water makes it more efficient and gives off huge energy savings and bills in the long run.

[Captain Worley]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - How badly does Google want to keep under wraps a mysterious project taking shape on a barge in San Francisco Bay? Badly enough to require U.S. government officials to sign confidentiality agreements.

Adding to the mystery, a second similar barge was recently spotted in Portland, Maine, and is also registered to By and Large LLC, according to local media reports.

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Insurance against EMP?

Maybe it's a Tesla free power generating site!

It's Official: Google Can Sell Power Like a Utility | Wired Business | Wired.com