Telstra has opened what it claims is the world's first dedicated Android store, Androidland, as a 154sqm space within its Bourke Street Melbourne Telstra outlet.
(Image: Telstra)
Despite its massive growth over the course of the past year, one thing Android has been lacking when compared against its staunch mobile rival, iOS, is a flagship retail presence and themed shopping experience to compete with the slick and pervasive Apple Store juggernaut. Enter Androidland, a dedicated 154sqm Android shopping space which opened today, located within Telstra's Bourke Street store in Melbourne.
(Image: Telstra)
Androidland, which Telstra claims is the fruits of Google's first-ever retail partership with a mobile carrier to promote its mobile OS, is being presented as a big, fun and interactive way to explore and discover the Android universe, with on-site 'experts' trained by Google (sound familiar?) on hand to help shoppers out with any questions they have and walk them through the software and hardware.
(Image: Telstra)
The store will feature the latest Android phones and tablets for customers to have a play with, and a number of theme-park-esque touches have been designed to elevate Androidland above your everyday Kmart/Dick Smith shopping experience: an "interactive spaceship zone" lets shoppers play with Google Earth and Angry Birds on a giant screen; a huge 24 x 9 metre window display incorporates an augmented reality game for curious onlookers; and a play zone includes skill testers, clown games and a Google Books virtual library.
