Google & NASA Sittin' in a Tree...

Google and NASA have been spotted canoodling before, but now Google has gone and moved in with NASA at NASA Ames. Wired's science paparazzi snapped the photo at left of the cozy couple.

Google leased 42.2 acres of the NASA Ames complex in Silicon Valley to build a new office campus. The lease payments are reputedly $3.66m/yr over 40 years with an option to renew up to 50 additional years. Lease rates are adjustable over the lease term.

According to Wired, "plans include 1.2 million square feet of office and R&D space, as well as company housing and dining, sports, fitness, child care, conference, and park facilities.

Lollygoogler

One just can't help drooling at the prospect of working for Google when you see pictures of the corporate perks. One doesn't mind working long hours if you can grab a nap and get a brief respite from the demands of the workday.

Google installed these nap pods around its campus for its employees.

The manufacturer is Metronaps, who offers seminars in fatigue risk management. They sell them as productivity enhancement devices.

Now that is some good marketing mojo! If only they had thought of a tie-in to Apple, such as the iNap or iSomnopod or something, they would be rolling in dough.

Installing these has to improve employee morale and instill corporate loyalty. Buying a new whip for corporate discipline? Not so much, Mr. Burns.