Search giant Google has finally acknowledged the mysterious structure it's building on a barge in the San Francisco Bay.
A source of much speculation since CNET revealed its existence two weeks ago, the barge first seemed to match up with a Google patent for a floating data center. Then local TV station KPIX ran a well-sourced story suggesting it was, in fact, a "party barge" and showroom run by Google X, the company's secretive skunkworks division headed by cofounder Sergey Brin.
Google issued a statement Wednesday to multiple news organizations confirming the barge is an interactive space. However, the company also acknowledges its ultimate form could be something else entirely:
"Google Barge ... A floating data center? A wild party boat? A barge housing the last remaining dinosaur? Sadly, none of the above. Although it's still early days and things may change, we're exploring using the barge as an interactive space where people can learn about new technology."
No word on whether "learning about technology" includes a whole open-air level devoted to exclusive parties, as KPIX reported.