Ah, April Fools’ Day. It’s a time for lighthearted pranks, silly jokes, and a healthy dose of internet mayhem. Google, once a notorious prankster on this day, used to delight users with clever and often elaborate gags woven into its various services. As a matter of fact, some of the tricks by the search giant easily make it to the list of the nest April Fools’ Pranks.
Now, yes, Google hasn’t participated since 2020. But the past April Fools’ Day antics remain legendary. So, buckle up and get ready to relive some of the most ingenious pranks Google has ever pulled!
The YouTube Collection – Could Be the Very Best April Fools’ Prank by Google
In 2012, YouTube took aim at the ever-growing video library with a service called “The YouTube Collection.” This prank promised to deliver every single YouTube video on DVD. And before you ask, all the YouTube videos that Google had at that time would’ve filled 175 trucks!
But wait, there’s more! The YouTube Collection even offered a way to keep up with the constant stream of uploads. They suggested sending your comments and ratings to the video creators in the mail. While not a real service, it highlighted the sheer volume of content on YouTube and the dedication of its creators.
Google Has Even Pranked Google Maps Users in 2015
Let’s move on to another epic prank! In 2015, Google took everyone’s favorite chomping hero, Pac-Man, and unleashed him onto the real world – well, almost. The company’s April Fools’ prank that year transformed Google Maps into a playable Pac-Man level! Users could navigate the streets, gobbling dots, and avoiding those pesky ghosts for over a week. The prank proved so popular that Google brought it back two years later with Ms. Pac-Maps, giving the classic game a delightful twist.
Google Nose – Another Joke that Easily Tops Most Best April Fool Pranks
In 2013, Google aimed for the olfactory senses with its “revolutionary” Google Nose. This supposedly cutting-edge feature promised to integrate smell into your web searches! Imagine searching for “freshly baked bread” and being able to get a whiff of its delicious aroma.
While Google touted its ability to “intersect photons with infrasound waves” to achieve this feat, it was all a clever ruse. Of course, the idea of smelling virtual objects sparks the imagination and begs many questions. For example, could virtual reality one day offer a “smellovision” experience? But for now, Google Nose remains a hilarious testament to their April Fools’ Day creativity.
Chromercise of 2011
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Ever feel like you’re not browsing fast enough because of your fingers, not your browser? In 2011, Google humorously addressed this “problem” with the launch of Chromercise. Yes, this is a fictitious exercise program. Google designed it to improve your hand dexterity for ultimate web browsing with Google Chrome.
According to a tongue-in-cheek blog post by a “certified Chromercise Instructor,” the program offered a unique blend of finger aerobics and rhythmic exercises to “tighten and tone” your fingertips. Google even went the extra mile, promoting the use of finger sweatbands (which they jokingly sold through their online store) to enhance the workout experience. While Chromercise was a prank, it playfully poked fun at our intense web surfing habits.
The Rick Rolled April Fools’ Prank By Google
Let’s talk rickrolling! You know that catchy song “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley? Chances are you’ve been “rickrolled” before. That is, you might have been tricked into clicking a link that takes you to the music video instead of what you were expecting.
On April Fools’ Day in 2008, YouTube got in on the fun by rickrolling everyone who clicked on a featured video on their homepage. This prank undoubtedly contributed to the song’s massive popularity. After all, it has over 1.5 billion views (and counting) on YouTube!
Google TiSP
Buckle up for Google’s most outrageous prank yet! In 2009, it introduced “Google TiSP.” Google marketed it as a revolutionary new internet service that promised free, lightning-fast internet. What’s more is that it supposedly had a ridiculously easy installation process.
Here’s the catch: TiSP required users to thread one end of a fiber-optic cable down their toilet and flush! According to Google’s elaborate joke, the cable would then magically connect to an access node via their “patented GFlush system” and a “Plumbing Hardware Dispatcher.” While the idea of a toilet-powered internet connection is undeniably funny, this prank hilariously highlighted the lengths some people might go to for a perfect internet connection (of course, not literally down the toilet!).
Gboard Spoon Bending April Fools’ Prank
Let’s venture into the world of international pranks! In 2019, Google Japan presented a truly unique (and slightly bizarre) concept for Gboard, the keyboard app for Android: the bending spoon. This supposedly innovative tool featured a flex sensor in the handle, allowing users to select Japanese characters by bending the spoon to different angles.
The announcement video even hinted at future applications of the flex sensor technology, including its integration into fishing rods! While the bending spoon remained firmly in the realm of April Fools’ Day humor, Google Japan continues its tradition of lighthearted pranks, most recently unveiling the Gboard Bar Version – a single, incredibly long keyboard for October of 2023.
