The mysterious barge belonging to Google, which was spotted in San Francisco Bay recently, is to host parties for Glassholes and not a secret lab for the company, as speculated earlier.
The barge will be a luxury showroom for Google's products and a venue for the company's private events.
Previously, we reported that the mysterious barge was conjectured to be a floating Google data center or the Google Store. The recent information that the Google barge will host invitation-only parties was revealed by TV station KPIX 5, a CBS affiliate..
"Google's mysterious floating barge on San Francisco Bay will feature luxury showrooms and a party deck for the tech giant to market Google Glass and other gadgets to invitation-only clients, multiple sources told KPIX 5," reports CBS San Francisco.
The Google barge will be used to market the Google Glass wearable technology, which enables users to access the Internet.
"A source who has been onboard the vessel, which is moored off San Francisco's Treasure Island under tight security, told KPIX 5 the first three floors are designed to serve as "dazzling showrooms" that can be outfitted with chrome features and floor lighting. There is an upper "party deck" meant to feature bars, lanais and other comforts so Google can fete its upscale customers," per CBS.
The project has been in the planning stage for over a year and is reportedly personally directed by Google's co-founder Sergey Brin. Per CBS' sources, the barge is "an attempt to upstage rival Apple" and its chain of stores.
The project, however, has been slightly delayed because the U.S. Coast Guard labeled the structure a "floating vessel" which will require approved safety features.
"Coast Guard personnel have been onboard to conduct routine inspections and ensure compliance with...regulations," Coast Guard Lt. Anna Dixon said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.
Google has made no comments.
