About a week ago I was out the door bright and early one morning for the media preview grand opening of the first Google shop in North America at Best Buy in Mississauga.
I love going to this type of event! Ever since I was a little kid, my dad used to take us to stroll around Future Shop, look at all the gadgets, test stereos and TVs. I think I have him to thank for my lifelong love of tech.
Google Shop is a ‘shop within a shop’ that’s got all kinds of Google goodies and product demos. I visited one of my favourite beaches in new Zealand via the Portal, tried Fantastic Beasts in w/ Google Daydream VR, and was sent home with Google Chrome.
I went to Paihai, Bay of Islands, New Zealand in the Portal station at the #GoogleShop. One day I'll be able to jump through that screen! ? pic.twitter.com/QB0AjyFtCs
— CASiE STEWART (@casiestewart) November 18, 2016
?? I thought this was a neat thing to do over the holidays! Hangout with Santa in the Google shop. Select your city at g.co/instore to find your closest location.
Before touring the store I chatted Best Buy’s Angela Scardillo, VP Marketing & Communications. The main thing I learned from her was how they’re really trying to make tech approachable. Their new round of ‘experience stores’ have a more immersive experience where you can touch, feel, test things.
The new store design has raised access flooring that expands and contracts expand so they can actually move the store around and change the shopping experience.
The new flagship Google shops are now open at Best Buy locations in Mississauga, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
Angela also showed off her Google Pixel phone and I really want to try one. It takes great photos and organizes them in your phone like Google Images. I’m still thinking about it days later…
To celebrate the new Googley space at Best Buy, we’ve giving away a $250 gift certificate. To enter leave a comment, visit FB, follow us on Twitter, or send a tweet. You have to be in Canada to win and sorry no Quebec.
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OK testing to make sure this commenting engine is up and running?!
Looks Like I need to make a trip to the Mississauga location. It’s so close to my living quarters !!
i didn’t know there was one in calgary, i’ll have to check it out. unlike your dad, mine tried to stay away from electronic stores whenever possible. they are a new found browse for me.
Looks like a really cool shop. I like when it’s more interactive and you can experience the products!
I know I could have some fun with holiday gifting if I won. 🙂
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Yes, one for them, one for me, one for them, one for me 😛
Love the concept and leaving a comment because: http://i.imgur.com/QRRwQlm.gifv
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I GOT YOU. Also yay gifs!
This is exciting!!!
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Thanks Vicky!
I am going to have to check this out.
The Pixel is on hubbies holiday wish list – trying to decide if he has been naughty or nice 😉 LOL
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Haha! It if deff for someone on the nice list. Use it as bait haha!
I love Google and I love Best Buy!
I love Google and I love Best Buy!
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What’s not to love!
Looks super cool! Can’t wait to check it out
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It’s pretty cool. I was really into the huge map screens.
Wow so neat! Of course nothing in Winnipeg. I’ll have to live vicariously through you. LOL
I can’t wait to visit the Google shop at Best Buy in Mississauga.
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The Heartland Town Centre where you’ll find the Google Shop IS HUGE.
I can’t wait to visit the Google shop at Best Buy.
Hay! Looks so rad. I saw on Twitter that they opened up in Best Buys but have yet to stop by. They need to sell some Google swag too haha
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I know right! I would love a Google outfit!
Awesome giveaway!
I’m excited to see this! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to try things out!
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Thanks for the comment. Yay, it’s been so long since I had them and I’m glad you’re back 🙂
Haven’t had any VR experiences, that’s definitely a must before the year ends!
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They’ve got some cool ones. It’s pretty immersive, once your sight and hearing are in another land it’s a crazy feeling.
Here is a comment! 😀
What an awesome concept to go and check out all the latest Google stuff.
VR is just so cool. I’m visiting the Google shop at Best Buy for sure now.
WOO HOO, BestBuy purchases are the best kind.
Very cool!
I love your blog and this is a very cool way to give back to your readers. Happy holidays!
Love the Hang Out with Santa in the Google shop – thanks for sharing!
Exciting to hear there’s a Google shop open here in Vancouver! Definitely want to go try out the new VR headsets! Would be lucky to win the gift card 🙂
I’ve heard so many great things about the Google Pixel! I want to play with one.
Thanks
That could but a lotta Christmas prezzies! Love this time of year 🙂
I have been debating the Chromecast…now that you have a Casiecast I feel like I should just go for it 😛
Oh what a shopping spree I could have with this !
Where can I get a Casiecast?
awesome giveaway! thanks for the chance to win!
I’m in desperate need of a new laptop and a $250 Best Buy GC would be AMAZING!
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Yes girl! Thnaks for entering 🙂
So many cool things!A gift card would be amazing at this time of year
Very awesome
Can’t wait to call Santa! I’ve got a few items on my wishlist! cheers
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas!
My techy husband has more than a few things on his list that this gift card would really help out with!
Neat
Neat idea
Best Buy is the first place to go for electronics!
would love to win this for my hubby!
Thanks for the chance – top of my list this year is a virtual reality setup!
Thank you for this amazing news and for the contest! I’d love to win the gift card!! 🙂
This is amazing news – thanks for the opportunity to win the gift card. That would be a wonderful surprise. 🙂
Thanks for the chance and a new follower
Anything! And I love your blog!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I am hoping we will get one in town! What a fun day it must have been! We were just reading about the Chromecast & checking it out!
Would love to win this to buy a gopro!
Love this contest~
I need to try out these VR Daydream (goggles?), been seeing them in commercials. Hope to shop within a shop gets into more Best Buys.
Just in time for the holiday season – Best Buy has an amazing variety — you can find a gift for anyone
This looks really cool. Would love to win
That is really neat! I’d love to visit that. Wish I was close enough.
Thank you for the great giveaway! I go to BestBuy and browse what is new in tech, would be awesome to get to actually buy something 😀
This is such an awesome giveaway! I love Best Buy!
Great stuff, checking in
Great contest
I didn’t even know google shops were a thing!
Thanks for the giveaway
This giveaway prize will help in purchasing an item in my “techie” wishlist. Thanks to you and sponsors.
Great! Thanks
Sweet! Thank you for the chance 🙂
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You’re welcome!
Love this giveway and your review/blog ! Thanks for the chance
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Thanks Maria!
Thanks for chance! Happy holidays!
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You’re welcome. Good luck!
Love the blogs!
Thanks for the chance to win
Thanks for the contest!
I would love to buy my dad a sweet VR headset for Christmas!!!
I would love to win this
Have to bring my daughter and check out Santa in the Google Shop. Thanks. Happy Holidays.
Thanks for the giveaway
I love the idea of being able to “try b4 you buy”!
An ever changing store – how neat
OK thanks for letting me have my say.
Thank you for the opportunity.
WooHoo,thanks you for the fab giveaway! 🙂
I would totally use this to put towards a new laptop!
WOOT WOOT! Thanks so much for the chance!
That’s exciting.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I loved it
THis would be so awesome to win! Sure would make my kids Christmas special 🙂
AWESOME.WISH TO WIN
Great giveaway! this would help with presents for sure.
Everything is awesome!
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I would like to pick up some new headphones.
Super excited!
here is a comment about the giveaway! would be great to win!
Thanks for the contest, I could really use a tablet!
I’d love to win – I’ll have to check out the Google shop here in Calgary, looks awesome!!
I love Best Buy, different tech to choose from. Would make a great Christmas present. Thanks for the chance to win!
This looks so cool!!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I’m crossing my fingers!!
Thanks, I don’t know what I’d get if i won…that Chromecast looks cool!
The daydream VR looks awesome!
Happy Holidays!
Would love to try out the Daydream, I currently do a lot of work in other VR platforms
That looks fun!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Interesting concept!! I hope it works out for them.
Looking forward to visiting the new Google shop.
I’ll have to check the one in my area, sounds really interesting.
looks fun
would like to see the new google shop
Awesome giveaway!
Thanks for the chance
Great giveaway thanks for the chance.
Thanks for the giveaway. Fingers crossed.
Thank you for the opportunity
Thanks for the awesome opportunity 🙂
So cool! Would love to win:)
Would be great for xmas shopping!
What an awesome shop!
Very cool!! Thank you for the chance at this prize!! I need a new laptop!
Love Google and need to get a tablet from Best Buy!
Fingers crossed.
This is so awesome! Thanks for the opportunity!
Good luck all!
Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season! Thanks for the very generous giveaway!
Just in time for the holidays!
Thanks for the chance!
Everything seems really neat!! I think I can get a few peoples gifts in the one area!
I definitely need to hit up at Best Buy to check out The Google Shop. It looks like so much fun. PS thanks for the giveaway!
What a cool shop! I bet that was a fun event to attend! 🙂
I will have to make an effort to stop buy! I love trying new products – like the Pixel – hands on!
Very cool concept !! Thank you for the chance to win and make holiday shopping a little easier 🙂 Happy Holidays <3
That’s so cool. Have to check it out. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the review. The hanging out with Santa sounds so awesome! I love Best Buy. Thanks for the chance.
Such a great contest!
Commented, thank you’d!
What a cool shop!
Wonderful! Thank you.
How cool was the Daydream VR!?!? Thanks for the chance!
ANYTHING!!!! 😀
Thanks for the chance! Fingerse crossed.
Thanks for the chance
Need new stuff
Great contest
would love to win this to help out with christmas presents as I got put on sick leave with my high risk pregnancy
Thank you for this great contest!
How’s the new Chromecast working for you? I’ve got their first gen version. If I win the contest, totally getting the new Ultra – looks cool. 🙂
I love Best Buy, thanks for the post!
Cool new store!
Fun post.Fun contest!
Best Buy is such a great store. It is my go-to electronic store. Thanks for the chance.
Looks like a cool shop! None here yet but can’t wait to check it out.
I love Best Buy. It’s a great store for Christmas gifts for the entire family.
Google and Best Buy were made for each other!
Helllllllo!
Hope to see a Google store out our way soon. Now I’m off to check out the Google Pixel phone!
Looks super cool! Can’t wait to see more of these.
The Google Shop looks awesome. If I’m ever anywhere near civilisation (I live in the boonies), I’ll pop in.
Great contest!
Thanks for the giveaway! This would be so useful!:)
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ll have to hide the gift card from my husband if I win.
So many new Tech Toys this year, love it
so glad that they have baby/maternity items now
Lots of things I need in that store
This looks really cool! Thanks for the giveaway.
Best Buy is my favorite store on the planet. Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
These new google shops look really cool. I’ll have to check one out!
finally a dedicated google store at my favourite store, Best Buy
I love Best Buy, it’s a great place to pick up Christmas gifts for the big kids 🙂
Google life! Ah, the gadget craze woot
Thanks Best Buy has many things on my Wish List
Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow!! What a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance.
I love Best Buy! Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow, that is so cool. And it might just be worth the 90 minute drive for us. Thanks for sharing and of course the giveaway too.
AT Christmas we can all use extra cash Thank You
Great contest! I love browsing Best Buy in store & online!
Thanks For the opportunity.
Looks like an interesting place to visit.
Nice! Best Buy is definitely on my holiday shopping list (and congrats on getting comments back)!
Thanks Best Buy.
would love to buy a go pro
The closest best buy is 3 hours away But i know id make a spcial trip!
I have 3 boys and a techie husband. This would make their day!
I’m going to check this out at my Best Buy!
My son-in-law Matt would love the Best Buy gift card.
This is so cool! I love being able to experience products before buying them. I see they’re doing Hangout With Santa events this weekend in an Edmonton store so I will have to make a point of checking it out.
Can’t wait to visit this store!
Love Best Buy cool store.
thanks looks great
I need to try out a demonstration of VR technology one day, it looks really cool. Thank you for the chance!
My kids would love VR tech.
VR is awesome
Best thing I can say…thanks for the contest
Very nice review
Cool contest, thanks!
There is one 5 minutes away in Leaside!
Google and Best Buy are so cool! Love them both.
I’ll have to check out the Google Shop in Edmonton.
I can’t believe how real that blog about the new Google Shop was, like I was virtually there!
I’m Checking out VR asap.
Love best buy for all our electronics. In the market for a new iPad this year.
Sweet post, can’t wait for google shops to come to my city.
I wish I were more techy, I get so frustrated when something goes wrong!
Neat!
I did not know that they have a Chromecast ULTRA! We have the first generation Chromecast so I’m a bit jealous! I think I will have to add the Chromecast Ultra to my wish list this year.
Thank you for the awesome giveaway and chance to win!! I love shopping
at Best Buy and this would be fun!! 🙂
Love shopping at Best Buy!
you are a delight. thanks for the giveaway
That’s a cool concept. Look forward to visiting the store in the store
OMG there is so much great buys there.
What a great giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win 🙂
Great prize. Love this to put towards a new tablet. Awesome
There are a lot of great things I could buy with a Best Buy card.
That’s great! Thanks for the chance!
Looking good
What an amazing giveaway, and great timing.
Thank you for the chance at a great prize.
Great contest, thanks for the chance
Thank you for the chance, this would be so helpful with last minute gifts
This is such an awesome giveaway and perfect too in time for Christmas! 🙂 thanks for the chance
this is amazing
Thanks for the chance to win! Love Best Buy!
There is a lot of great things i could buy with this gift card haha, i love best buy ! 🙂 Great giveaway !!!
amazing giveaway thanks would be great for some xmas shopping
Thank you for the entry!
ooh, awesome giveaway <3
Awesome giveaway!
Thanks for the great chance!
Happy holidays
I miss the Heartland Best Buy. I moved from Mississauga to Barrie last year (but we do have a Best Buy here)
I like Google and Best Buy and love shopping Best Buy in Saskatoon.
Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway! Love shopping at Best Buy.
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Me too, kid in a candy store!
Now I know one spot I need to go Christmas shopping – Heartland Google shop in Best Buy here I come!
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The store is nice! They’ve made it super interactive!