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At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

nytimes.com

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Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#91

Post by ootachi »

"Because Google X is a breeding ground for big bets that could turn into colossal failures or Google’s next big business — and it could take years to figure out which — just the idea of these experiments terrifies some shareholders and analysts.

“These moon-shot projects are a very Google-y thing for them to do,” said Colin W. Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners. “People don’t love it but they tolerate it because their core search business is firing away.” "

Is it just me or does this represent the worst of Wall Street short-term thinking? I mean, the first sentence could really be read as an indictment of venture capital as a whole.

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#92

Post by joezydeco »

protomyth wrote: post #73
joezydeco wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Except advertisers. Remember, it's still Google.

Seeing Google AdWords on my fridge trying to sell me stuff or alternates to things I am almost out of is going to be an experience.

I was thinking of Google watching the advertising of food products and tracking how much of that results in purchases that end up in your fridge.

Advertisers would give their left arm to be able to close the loop from ad to store to home. I know the "club cards" can kind of do that now, but the stores have no idea what ads you saw before walking in (other than the coupons in your hand).

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#93

Post by tlholaday »

hugh3 wrote: post #78
treetrouble wrote: post #77

It’s a place where your refrigerator could be connected to the Internet, so it could order groceries when they ran low. Your dinner plate could post to a social network what you’re eating. The stuff that could have been invented 5-10 years ago but was not interesting enough to warrant the effort

I've been hearing about fridges-that-order-groceries for at least ten years. It's one of those dumb ideas that just keeps coming up, despite the fact that there's no demand for it. Basically, I don't trust my fridge with my credit card... and besides, I don't want to order groceries by delivery anyway, particularly not the kind of perishable goods that I'd be keeping in my refrigerator. I suppose I wouldn't mind havi…

Although I share your sentiment, there is contrary evidence.

Consider this essay:

http://www.taquitos.net/chipworld/articles/snaxpo-learned.sh...

> Convenience in foods will continue. Anything that takes the steps out of a process will become successful. Witness the "chip/dip" combo packs that Frito Lay is now selling. Open the package, you have chips and dip right there. No need to go to the fridge! At the testing area, Jays demonstrated a combo pack that had mini pretzels and honey mustard that was extremely tasty. Other examples included a pre-cooked baked potato that includes the sour cream, butter and salt and pepper inside the package. All you have to do is nuke the potato for a few minutes and you've got instant lunch.

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#94

Post by hugh3 »

tlholaday wrote: post #93
hugh3 wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been hearing about fridges-that-order-groceries for at least ten years. It's one of those dumb ideas that just keeps coming up, despite the fact that there's no demand for it. Basically, I don't trust my fridge with my credit card... and besides, I don't want to order groceries by delivery anyway, particularly not the kind of perishable goods that I'd be keeping in my refrigerator. I suppose I wouldn't mind havi…

Although I share your sentiment, there is contrary evidence. Consider this essay: http://www.taquitos.net/chipworld/articles/snaxpo-learned.sh... > Convenience in foods will continue. Anything that takes the steps out of a process will become successful. Witness the "chip/dip" combo packs that Frito Lay is now selling. Open the package, you have chips and dip right there. No need to go to the fridge! At the testing a…

I'm really not sure how fast food product ideas contradict my point about adding unnecessary complications to home electronics, but... damn, a one-step microwaveable baked potato sounds great.

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#95

Post by snowwrestler »

joezydeco wrote: post #67
snowwrestler wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The "Internet connected refrigerator that manages food for you" has been an example of this sort of thinking for at least 10 years, and it's no closer to being something that anyone actually wants.

Except advertisers. Remember, it's still Google.

If Google is willing to subsidize a free refrigerator for me so they can serve ads on it, I will consider it. :-)

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#96

Post by marshallp »

Jd wrote: post #81
marshallp wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No need to get rude, I'm not some teenage troll guy, I'm here for intelligent discussion. I don't seen where I've "proven" myself wrong. This thread is not about investment into nsa, but commercialization of nsa (or other military/government org) technology. My point was that regardless of nsa'a official stance of secrecy, tech gets "leaked" out into the commercial sphere. You can't stop a good thing from spreading,…

Are nuclear bombs good? Do the heads of our national security agencies take technologies that could potentially kill the whole world's population and, because they, like every other executive in the world, are an MBA-types, sell it to whoever they happen to meet at a cocktail party? You may not be a teenager, but I can't say that you aren't a troll.

Nuclear tech, in the form of reactors has been commercialized for quite some time if you haven't noticed. And no, I'm not a troll, just because someone takes a contrary view they are not automatically a troll.

Re: At Google X, a Top-Secret Lab Dreaming Up the Future

#98

Post by protomyth »

joezydeco wrote: post #92
protomyth wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seeing Google AdWords on my fridge trying to sell me stuff or alternates to things I am almost out of is going to be an experience.

I was thinking of Google watching the advertising of food products and tracking how much of that results in purchases that end up in your fridge. Advertisers would give their left arm to be able to close the loop from ad to store to home. I know the "club cards" can kind of do that now, but the stores have no idea what ads you saw before walking in (other than the coupons in your hand).

John Ringo has a book set called the Troy Rising series where multiple characters get implants connected to the network. The description of bill collecting and advertising is hilarious, great for advertisers, and a strong reason not to get said implants.
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