It’s the beginning of April which means only one thing, it’s April Fools’ Day!
Every year various divisions of Google, Bing and companies worldwide take part in April Fools’ pranks, each year trying to outwit the last. This year is no different.
Here’s a round up of the best April Fools’ day hoaxes from Google, Bing and the best of the rest!
Google’s April Fools’ Pranks
Google Maps Pokémon Challenge
Become a Pokémon Master and hone your Pokémon-capturing abilities with Google Maps through the newest version of Maps for iPhone or Android.
More info on this prank via http://google-latlong.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/become-pokemon-master-with-google-maps.html
Google+ Auto Awesome Photobombs with David Hasselhoff
Bringing your photos to life with celebrity photobombing, starting with The Hoff. Upload a self portrait to Google+ and use Auto Awesome Photobombs to add some celebrity stardom to your photo.
Find out more via http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/introducing-auto-awesome-photobombs.html
Chrome for Mobile Translates Emoji
Read the web with emotive illustrations instead of boring old text with Google Translate support for Emoji built directly into Chrome for Android and iOS.
Read the full story via http://chrome.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/a-faster-mobiler-web-with-emoji.html
Chromecast: A New Era of Squirrel Entertainment
Introducing a new era of squirrel entertainment with Chromecast.
Google Japan - The Magic Hand
Introducing a new input device for smartphones, the Magic Hand from Google Japan!
You can read more here, if you understand Japanese that is http://www.google.co.jp/ime/m9/
Nest and Virgin America - Total Temperature Control
Nest have teamed up with Virgin America to launch Total Temperature Control, individual climate control for passengers flying at 35,000 feet.
YouTube Announces Upcoming Viral Video Trends #newtrends
YouTube HQ announce some of the upcoming viral video trends that you’ll watching in 2014 including Clocking, Kissing Dad, and Glub Glub.
Google Adbirds
Yes, that’s right not Adwords, Adbirds! Adbirds is the latest addition to Google Adwords, a new ad format allowing advertising managers to place ads on real birds.
Bing’s 2014 Effort
Bing Link Juice
Bing have apparently released bottled Link Juice. Costing just a few $’s and containing an array of link types this bottled link juice is available via an anonymous package and will be delivered within 90 days to ensure a natural approach!
Head over to Bing Blogs for details on how to claim your link juice - http://www.bing.com/blogs/site_blogs/b/webmaster/archive/2014/03/31/link-juice.aspx
The Best of the Rest
I couldn’t leave without mentioning some of the best 2014 April Fools’ hoaxes from other companies and other industries.
Screaming Frog’s SEO Lookalikes
This is still SEO industry related but definitely worth a quick mention. Patrick Langridge of Screaming Frog has put together an awesome list of SEO lookalikes including some of the most recognised faces in the SEO industry next to some other familiar faces. Here’s a sneak peak at what to expect…
Check out the full lookalike list here http://www.screamingfrog.co.uk/seo-lookalikes/
Union Jack if Scotland Votes for Independence
Controversial? It certainly has potential to open up a can of worms! Nevertheless the Daily Mail has revealed secret Government papers proposing to ditch the cross of St Andrew if Scotland votes for independence. The new Union Jack with include only St George’s red cross (which represents England and Wales) as well as the red saltire of Ireland’s St Patrick - there’s no Scottish blue in sight!
Read the full hoax via http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2593781/Scot-free-Union-Jack-gets-Yes-vote-makeover-Secret-Government-papers-reveal-flag-look-Scotland-votes-independence.html
Domino’s Pizza Edibox
Domino’s have seemingly revolutionised pizza delivery with a world first in snacking innovation, the edible pizza box or Edibox.
Find out more via http://www.dominos.co.uk/blog/edibox-revolutionises-pizza-delivery/
Experts Baffled by Square Eggs
A Freedom Food Farm has apparently become the first ever farm where chickens lay square eggs.
Find out more via http://www.itv.com/daybreak/hot-topics/the-chickens-that-lay-square-eggs
That’s all for now, but if I come across any more April Fools’ delights I’ll add them later on. Likewise if you have any April Fools’ gems which I’m yet to see please let me know!
Great selection Chris. You must be praying for Domino’s Pizza Edibox! Not sure about Danny’s lookalike if I’m honest…
The Edibox has potential but it’s not a very hygienic method of pizza transportation, unless it’s an Edibox inside a normal box? And that just defeats the object 😉