After The Wall Street Journal threw its weight being the rumor that Google (GOOG) has plans to open its own retail locations around the country, it seemed all but certain that the company was getting ready to showcase its products in brick and mortar stores. According to Android chief Andy Rubin, however, no such plans exist. “Google has no plans, and we have nothing to announce,” Rubin said during a panel at Mobile World Congress, AllThingsD reports. The executive believes consumers no longer have a need to “go in the store and feel” consumer electronics anymore because they can get enough information by talking to friends and reading reviews.

Zach Epstein has worked in and around ICT for more than 15 years, first in marketing and business development with two private telcos, then as a writer and editor covering business news, consumer electronics and telecommunications. Zach’s work has been quoted by countless top news publications in the US and around the world. He was also recently named one of the world's top-10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes, as well as one of Inc. Magazine's top-30 Internet of Things experts.