Google scraps ambitious, high-tech barge project in Portland

By Andy Boxall August 1, 2014

Google has reportedly sold the massive barge moored in Portland Harbor, which would have eventually become a high-tech, floating showroom.

The project has been attracting news since 2013, and was eventually revealed to be the site of an “interactive space where people would learn about new technology.” This vague, but enticing, description made us pretty excited about Google’s barges, moored in Maine and California.

Related Videos

Sadly though, the project has come to an abrupt end, according to the Portland Press Herald. Earlier this week, tugboats pulled the vessel from its prime spot to a cargo terminal at Turner’s Island, South Portland. The terminal’s owner told the paper an “international barging company” had purchased it, and that it was being sent on a long voyage, but wouldn’t say where.

The 63 storage containers on top of the barge, which created the four-story structure that would eventually house Google’s guests, will be dismantled and scrapped. Apparently, the company tasked with designing and fitting the futuristic interior never really started work, suggesting Google’s plans were either too ambitious or not focused enough. However, Google hasn’t commented on why it cancelled the Portland barge project.

Scrapping the Portland barge means a sad end to what could have been a unique space. Given the massive size of the showroom, it was speculated Google would fill it with all manner of tech, including demonstrations of its driverless cars, Google Glass, and other Google X projects. There was even said to be a “party deck.”

The fate of its sister barge, moored in Stockton, isn’t clear. According to the port director, the fees for keeping the barge on site have been paid until October. Google may have decided two barges was overkill, and will concentrate its efforts (and money) on one. If so, scrapping the other before it rots away seems sensible. Until we hear more, our dreams of partying aboard the Google boat remain alive.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Mobile

The Google Pixel Fold may launch a lot sooner than you expected

Alleged dummy model of the Google Pixel Fold.

Google is apparently closer to launching its first foldable phone a lot earlier than leaks had predicted. WinFuture, citing information received from sellers, reports that the Pixel Fold is lined up for a market release in June. It appears that Google will at least give a brief teaser of the phone at its I/O developers conference in May, alongside the budget-centric Pixel 7a.

The report adds that Pixel Fold is the official marketing name of the foldable phone, and it will at least be up for grabs in the European markets in the second week of June. The eagerly awaited phone will be sold in a sole 256GB storage configuration, while color options on the table are Carbon and Porcelain.

Mobile

Bixby vs. Google Assistant: Which AI is better for you?

google assistant mobile.

AI digital assistants and chatbots (like ChatGPT) are huge now, and there are more than a few to choose from. If you, like many Android phone owners, have a Samsung device, then you have the choice between two AI assistants: the Google-backed Google Assistant and Samsung's Bixby.
What are the differences between the two assistants, and which one is better for you? Is Bixby better than Google Assistant, or should you go all-in with Google's AI? We compared Bixby and the Google Assistant to find out.
Bixby vs. Google Assistant: device integration

Google Assistant is available on all Google Nest and Home products, including Android TVs, lights, security cams, speakers, and more. Google Assistant is also available on Android Auto, so you can use the virtual assistant to execute commands when you’re driving. Google Assistant is available on other brands' smart devices too, so you can use Google's voice assistant on Lenovo's Smart Home System. You'll also find it in all of the best Android phones, but did you know you can also download and use it on Apple iPhones as well?
Samsung’s Bixby, on the other hand, is limited to Samsung devices, like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It's also limited to only being able to control other devices via the SmartThings app, rather than having native support. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it is more restricted. However, full functionality of Bixby is limited to newer devices, so unlike Google Assistant, which tends to be available to older devices, you'll need to keep upgrading to get the most out of Bixby.
This won’t matter much for users who’ve been using Samsung devices for years and want to continue investing in new Samsung products, but if you live with people using different Android devices, Google Assistant might be a better option for smoother integration across devices.
The winner is pretty clear here. Google Assistant is available on a lot more devices, including Apple iPhones, and helps you to create a comprehensive system for convenient use.
Winner: Google Assistant
Bixby vs. Google Assistant: performance and accessibility

Mobile

First Google Pixel 8 Pro renders reveal some surprising changes

Leaked render of the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Once again, and in an unsurprising turn of events, Google has missed the leak train. Leakers @OnLeaks and SmartPrix have leaked rumored renders of the upcoming Pixel 8 Pro. Going by the Pixel 7's launch date, the next Pixel flagship has leaked a good six months ahead of its official introduction.
Google's terrible track record aside, let's discuss the leaked renders. It looks like the company's design team is favoring rounded edges again. The Pixel 7 duo was an improvement over the boxy looks of its predecessor, and the Pixel 8 Pro only appears to add more of that rounded corner profiling. It actually looks good, albeit a bit wider.

The overall design remains more or less the same. Google is sticking to the dual-tone approach with glass on both sides, and a metal frame that also extends over at the back to form the horizontal camera strip. Another change compared to the Pixel 7 Pro’s dual cut-out design is that the Pixel 8 Pro only has single elongated pill-shaped outline housing all three camera sensors.
This triple-lens setup likely includes a primary high-resolution snapper, an ultra-wide angle camera, and a periscope-style telephoto zoom shooter. There’s another round cutout right below the LED flash, but it’s unclear if it’s a macro or depth camera, or some kind of IR or a specialized photosensitive sensor.