Google Space at London’s Heathrow airport, allows people to log onto the net and check e-mail while they wait for flights, reports the BBC.
For Google, the space will be used to test its myriad product launches on the public. “We see it as a huge focus group,” said Lorraine Twohill, Google’s European director of marketing.
The temporary installation, termed Google Space, consists of ten Samsung laptops in the public lounge of Terminal One at London’s main airport. The trial will run until 19 December.
With trained Google staff on hand at the booth, it will be a chance to road-test some of its new product launches and get invaluable feedback.
Depending on the success of the Heathrow “pod”, Google could become a recognised physical presence in airports, stations and even high streets around the world, said Ms Twohill.
Google Space has no Wi-Fi capability at this time, according to marketing manager Andy Ku. “If enough people ask us for wireless we may seriously think about doing it at a later date,” Ku said.
London’s GooglePlex opened last week. The facility will house 200 Google employees located near Victoria Station.
