Google X Labs

Business
April 15, 2014
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Google X Labs Projects

An inside look at the top-secret lab where Google makes its craziest products

By on April 15, 2014 at 12:20 PM.

An inside look at the top-secret lab where Google makes its craziest products

Google Glass. Self-driving cars. Weather balloons that deliver Internet connectivity. These are just some of the wild and crazy projects that have come out of Google X over the past five years. For those who don’t know, Google X is Google’s top-secret lab where teams of engineers are tasked with thinking way, way, way outside the box for solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. Not coincidentally, many of these projects also have the potential to boost Google’s bottom line but there’s certainly no guarantee they’ll do so. In fact, as a new profile of Google X in FastCompany makes clear, there’s a very good chance they’ll crash and burn. More →

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Science
November 6, 2013
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Google Barges Interactive Spaces Confirmed

Google finally confirms the purpose of its magical mystery boats

By on November 6, 2013 at 4:30 PM.

Google finally confirms the purpose of its magical mystery boats

After days of speculation, Google’s mysterious barges were finally identified, and now Google is speaking out about the true purpose of the boats. TechCrunch received the following statement from a Google spokesperson on Wednesday: “Google Barge … A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above. Although it’s still early days and things may change, we’re exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology.” More →

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Science
July 9, 2012
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New Kickstarter project will launch your DNA to the moon

By on July 9, 2012 at 7:35 PM.

New Kickstarter project will launch your DNA to the moon

Google Lunar X Moon DNA

People who dream about having their DNA launched to the moon so it can be preserved forever now have a way to fulfill their fantasy. Earthrise Space, Inc. a self-described “non-profit research laboratory and student training ground” in Florida, is trying to raise cash to build a lunar rover and win the Google Lunar X competition that is offering $30 million to the first privately-funded entity to successfully launch a robot to the moon. More →

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Business
February 6, 2012
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Google reportedly hires Apple exec for top secret project

By on February 6, 2012 at 4:25 PM.

Google reportedly hires Apple exec for top secret project

Google has hired Apple’s former senior director of product integrity for a new secret project, according to a report from VentureBeat. The man in question is Simon Prakash, who worked at Apple for more than eight years. Prakash was responsible for the quality control at Apple, a company that has a long-standing reputation for quality. He will now reportedly be working in Google’s “X lab” on a secret project headed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin. It is speculated that the project could be hardware related, and it may tie in with the company’s pending acquisition of Motorola Mobility. Google and Apple are currently being investigated by the Department of Justice following accusations that the companies upheld an illegal “no poach” agreement along with Intel, Adobe, Intuit, Pixar and Lucasfilm. More →

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Business
February 6, 2012
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Google wants people to ‘Solve for X’ with new conference [video]

By on February 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM.

Google wants people to ‘Solve for X’ with new conference [video]

Google unveiled its new “Solve for X” website early Monday morning, and it looks as if the Mountain View-based company is planning a TED-like think tank to encourage problem solving and teamwork. “Solve for X is a place where the curious can go to hear and discuss radical technology ideas for solving global problems,” reads the Solve for X website. “Radical in the sense that the solutions could help billions of people. Radical in the sense that the audaciousness of the proposals makes them sound like science fiction. And radical in the sense that there is some real technology breakthrough on the horizon to give us all hope that these ideas could really be brought to life.” One of Google X’s chief scientists, Richard DeVaul, revealed via his Google+ page that the “Solve for X’ conference had discussed ways of “transforming eduction, 5x improvements in agriculture through better decision support, synthetic biology, and carbon-negative biofuels.” DeVaul also announced that the “We Solve for X” YouTube page and website will be updated to include video’s of the presentations for all to see. Google’s video follows below. More →

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