As you probably noticed, yesterday was April Fools Day. I actually didn’t get caught by anything myself (apparently I’m a hermit or something), but this morning I found out that Google has outdone itself again with April Fools jokes. Every year, Google goes mad with announcing new sort of plausible technologies, and usually adds a few Easter eggs, or hidden things, in its usual tools.
For a full list of this year’s pranks, check out this roundup.
(For a list of everything they’ve pulled, check out the Wikipedia article here.) I’ve noted a few of my favorites below (there’s a lot).
New technology in beta now: Google Nose! You can now search the Aromabase for scents. Complete with SafeSearch. Apparently this is based on an almost-possible technology, though unfortunately it would require a lot more machinery than your average cell phone.
The one that traumatized everyone: Youtube was actually an eight-year contest to discover the world’s best video. Now that it’s been found, Youtube will shut down. This one upset some of Google’s already-angry Google Reader fans, because Google Reader is really shutting down. They found this prank a little tasteless.
Wait, what? Google now supports your old technology (info here) – you can now export your documents to “legacy” technology including floppy disks, sticky notes, and papyrus. Also send data fax, telegram, or passenger pigeon (weigh limit of 1 to 25 lines enforced). The pigeons are an extension of a 2002 prank (info here).
Watch my productivity drop like a stone: Google Treasure Maps. Google discovered the map on an expedition to the Indian Ocean to improve its underwater street view maps, of course. There are apparently nine paths to secret treasure on the map. For spoilers, check out the blog here.
By ITA, Hillary Shipps