Androidland

Android's “green robot“

Androidland is the first Android retail store, opened by the carrier Telstra on Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia, in December 2011. If it proves successful, it may expand within the country and internationally.

The store is themed heavily in green, featuring several Android “green robot“ sculptures. In the store, Telstra provides visitors with an interactive spaceship zone that features a flight simulator (via the Google Earth software, a Liquid Galaxy set-up), also including a massive screen on which visitors can play Angry Birds. It features scented areas with gingerbread and grass aromas, called “Android grass“, to further immerse visitors.

History

“Over the past 12 months we’ve seen a huge growth in the number of customers coming in-store and asking us about Android phones and tablets. With Androidland we wanted to create a retail environment like no other that helps us to answer customer questions in a fun, interactive way.“ As of 23 October 2012 Androidland is being removed from the Icon Store.

— Warwick Bray, Executive Director, Telstra Mobile

Androidland had been in development since July 2011. Google Australia helped to train the store’s Android experts to be able to assist visitors with devices, help them with their new devices, and recommend applications.

Reception

Logan Booker, writing for Gizmodo Australia wrote “It’s a friendly environment, definitely, and if I were to make the switch to Android, I’d be sure to stop by to aid in my decision-making. The interesting fusion of business with an “experience” beyond product demonstrations gives the shop-within-a-shop a corporate Powerhouse Museum feel.“

External links

• Official Telstra Press Release
• Announcement at the Official Google Australia Blog
• Image gallery with photos of the store
• Coverage: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]