Like Apple, Google decided to go beyond Android OS and get into the device business with their new "made by Google" theme. They want their premium devices to show-off and showcase their Google Assistant and to push other technologies of theirs be it for cameras, Google Play, Google Pay, VR and AR and so forth. Samsung was their star OEM for Android but now they're viewed as more of a frenemy. Samsung will be adopting their own digital assistant for their upcoming Galaxy S8 smartphone devised from Viv technology.  They also work with Facebook for their Gear VR headset. So Google has to step up to the plate to take up some of the slack and show more leadership in support of Android and their other OEMs.

Even on the tablet front, Huawei avoided using Android and went with Microsoft's Windows for their premium hybrid tablet called the MateBook. So it's no wonder that Google has decided to push back by jumping into the digital device business.

Now there seems to be a new initiative in the wind. One of Google's most recent design patents hints that they may at some point decide to expand their 'made by Google' sales slogan beyond Nest smarthome devices and step into the world of furniture.

In July our Patently Mobile blog reported on their Google Smart Crib patent and this week the U.S. Patent Office published Google's granted design patent for a "rising platform" which is part of a modular desk system as noted below.

In patent FIG. 1 noted below we're able to see the rising platform that's flush with the desktop and eventually rises to accommodate a worker standing up to operate a notebook.

In Google's patent FIG. 2 noted above we're able to see a perspective view of the rising platform according to the first embodiment in a second position which is raised and rotated relative to the first position; FIG. 3 is top plan view of FIG. 2.

In Google's patent FIG. 5 noted below we're able to see the raised platform from a side angle and the outline of a notebook to illustrate what the platform is intended to support.

Unfortunately design patents don't reveal a single aspect of the device. So we don't know Google's marketing angle nor how the rising platform is controlled or any special features that it may possess.

There's a growing trend to support exercise at work and to promote standing at a workstation as noted below. Some will argue that standing would be healthy if it was for a period during the day rather than the entire day which could lead to other health problems related to your feet, legs or back. So there are definitely pros and cons to this trend.

Obviously Google is taking this trend seriously enough to spend time designing a new rising platform desk. Whether this is an internal project or one that will be a part of their smart and automated home-of-the-future line of products is unknown at this time.

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