I must say this year’s list of Google pranks isn’t as exhaustive as 2012 or 2014 pranks, but they are definitely believable – and much desirable as well. Let’s see how Google almost fooled us in 2018.
1. Where’s Waldo Google Maps game
The 90s popular puzzle game Where’s Waldo make it to Google Maps this year. Waldo and his friends have shared their location with you on Google Maps to find them, but they are hidden in a thick crowd. The illustrations are very interesting and situated in exotic places like Andes Mountains, Hollywood, and even Kennedy Space Center.
You’ll have to find Waldo to move to the next location and there are total 6 locations. There are even 4 April Fools’ day badges to earn by finding all the characters. The game will be available this whole week, and you can access it from the Google Maps main menu on the desktop and the mobile apps.
2. Files Go Bad Joke Detector
Google’s Files Go phone clearing app has been helping millions of users clear their phone from junk and unrequired files. However, it seems Files Go team wants to go one step further and help you quickly delete bad jokes from friends and family. Says Google Next Billion Users blogpost
3. Chromebook’s new charging methods
No matter how long Chromebooks battery may last, you still have to charge them. Well not anymore as Google invests in new ways to charge your Chromebook, including wind, solar and compost power. For the wind, you just need to visit a nearby wind tunnel, and for solar power, place the Chromebook under direct sunlight. And taking a rather odd approach, you can also insert your Chromebook charger in a garden to get some compost energy.
4. Google or Googz?
Aussies have a thing for abbreviations and they have been calling Google “Googz” just like they call Mcdonalds “Maccas”. Embracing the fate, Google Australia team has worked with popular Australian designer Jazza to rebrand Google. After months of work, Google Australia now has a new logo “Googz”. Says Google Australia blogpost Now from the first April, this new logo will be branded on all of the Google products in Australia.
5. Google Cloud Hummus API
As there are so many kinds of hummus, it’s very difficult to choose the right hummus that suits your taste. Therefore, Google’s Cloud platform has just launched a new API to check your hummus taste. The API uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithm combined with hummus big data warehouse to find the right hummus for you.
6. Hardware keyboard based on Gboard
Google Japan has created a new hardware keyboard where you can swipe-and-type just like you type on software Gboard keyboard. You just need to hand-write words on the keyboard and it will use “a ton of scribble data” to match it with the right letters.
Which one almost got you?
So these were some of the jokes pulled off by Google on this year April Fools’ day. I personally had a good hour of fun clearing all the locations in Where’s Waldo Google Maps game. Although, all the other pranks didn’t fool me, but the Googz logo by Google Australia actually made me expect an awesome logo even if it isn’t applied. Which one of these pranks you fell for? Share with us in the comments below.
