April Fools’ Day is upon us, and like every year, Google is doing its best to outdo itself. The company releases all sorts of jokes, ranging from the ridiculously lame to the very clever, spanning the simple blog post or video to the elaborate gag or new feature. It’s a very Google-specific tradition — even other Alphabet companies don’t really participate in the celebration.
In fact, Google’s various divisions create more practical and impractical jokes for the holiday than any other tech firm, and it’s simply hard to keep track of them all. We have put together our annual roundup — here are all of Google’s April Fools jokes for 2018.
Where’s Waldo? In Google Maps
The Google Maps team tends to have the more intricate jokes — usually playable games — and this year it’s a Where’s Waldo? integration. Waldo is traveling the world with his friends Wenda, Woof, Wizard Whitebeard, and Odlaw. To travel with him, all you have to do is find him. The April Fools feature will be available all week on Android, iOS, and desktop (make sure you have the latest app version or visit google.com/maps on your computer). To start, press play when you see Waldo waving at you from the side of your screen or ask “Hey Google, Where’s Waldo?” via Google Assistant on your phone, Chromebook, or Home device.
Google Cloud Hummus API
There are so many different types of hummus. And not everyone likes the same hummus. This is a serious problem. Google wants to organize the world’s information, and hummus is no exception. What better way than to have a Hummus API? It analyzes your taste using Google’s “advance artificial intelligence algorithm,” “a hummus big data warehouse” stored in the Google Cloud, “a machine learning model,” vision intelligence, and a taste stick.
Gboard Hardware Keyboard
Google Japan was tired of having to memorize where the keys are on a keyboard, so it created a “physical handwriting version” of the Gboard virtual keyboard app. Instead, the team has created a device that lets you swipe over hardware keyboards, just like you do on software keyboards. The physical version of Gboard collects “a ton of scribble data” and uses machine learning to match it with the correct letters. They ended up with 100,000 data points! It works for all ages and not only do you no longer have to remember where all the letters are, but you don’t even need to print the letters on the keys anymore.
When it comes to April Fools’ Day, Google seems to have a bottomless pit for a marketing budget. We will update this post as the company launches more jokes.
CLOSE April Fools’ Day is an annual tradition, but where did it begin? Buzz60's Amanda Kabbabe (@kabbaber) investigates. Buzz60
Burger King is cooking up something sweet for April Fools’ Day. (Photo: CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP)
When you hear of new products or services launching on or near April 1, it’s hard not to get a little suspicious.
This year, companies aren't holding back in announcing new products and services that are admittedly fake. Sunday isn't just Easter. It's April Fools' Day.
More: Be careful before biting into Easter eggs Sunday! It's also April Fools' Day
Here are some of the “new” items and services:
Arby's: The restaurant chain and eye wear company Warby Parker are launching the Onion Ring Monocle by WArby's. It'll be available at two New York City locations -- an Arby's restaurant and a Warby Parker store -- Friday through Sunday. Other swag -- such as beef-hued glasses frames and lens-cleaning clothes covered with pictures of marble rye, cheese, corned beef and lettuce -- is for sale online at www.warbyparker.com/warbys.
Auntie Anne’s: The world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise is bottling up its famous scents for a line of essential oils, the company announced in a news release introducing the Auntie Anne’s “House of A” Heavenly Scent Essential Pretzel Oils. “This is the first time the brand has bottled its scent, which was previously only available at Auntie Anne’s locations in malls, airports, and countless other venues around the world,” the release notes, adding the scents are Freshly Baked, Salty and Cinnamon Twist. The essential oils line will be available to purchase at 12:01 a.m. Sunday at www.houseofa.co.
Introducing the newest line of essential pretzel oils from “House of A.” Scents include Freshly Baked, Salty and Cinnamon Twist. — Auntie Anne's (@AuntieAnnes) March 30, 2018
Bulletproof: The brand known for its butter-laced coffee announced in a news release the April 1 debut of Bulletproof Grass-Fed Butter Balm, which “promises to be the only lip balm you’ll ever need, replacing fat-free substitutes and lip-drying imposters in your moisture routine.” The lip balm will be “available in one shade that appears pale yellow in the tube and applies clear with a high-shine finish that can take your lips from day to night, filling the gap in your previously butter-less beauty regiment,” the company said in a news release.
Chapped lips are the worst! ⚡😱
After years of struggling to find the perfect hack, the team at Bulletproof has discovered the ultimate way to moisturize your kisser. 💋 Check out this announcement and demonstration from our founder, Dave Asprey👇🏽😉 https://t.co/imFjUH4I5vpic.twitter.com/kUhitdlMDN — Bulletproof (@bpnutrition) March 30, 2018
Burger King: On its Facebook page, the fast food chain announced its Chocolate Whopper, which includes a chocolate cake bun, flame-grilled chocolate patty, raspberry sauce, white chocolate rings, candied blood oranges, milk chocolate leaves and vanilla frosting. The company said it's “Coming soon. Maybe.”
the NEW chocolate Whopper. coming soon to your local Burger King. maybe. pic.twitter.com/9N1snyYhRX — Burger King (@BurgerKing) March 30, 2018
Chegg: The “student-first connected learning platform” is debuting the Chegg Osmosis Pillow with “proprietary patent pending memory foam will actually improve your memory.” According to a news release, the pillow available in both regular and travel sizes, is “perfect for students that want to learn an entire semester's worth of Physics in one night, or students looking for a quick study session and power nap before the exam.” Learn more about the pillow at www.chegg.com/play/memory-foam-pillow. Unfortunately for students everywhere, this isn’t a real item. “If it sounds ridiculous, that's because it is,” the release notes. “Osmosis pillows can't help you study, but Chegg Tutors can.”
We’re proud to introduce the Chegg Osmosis Pillow, an incredible new way to study while you sleep: https://t.co/TvCpHSva2opic.twitter.com/1wPOXK8Wg1 — Chegg (@Chegg) March 26, 2018
eharmony: The dating website is looking to help canines find love with the new “Furever Love” feature. According to an announcement posted at www.eharmony.com, users can log on to create profiles for their furry companions. “The service will automatically find and suggest highly-compatible matches based on responses to questions about a dog’s personality, activity level, and other key relationship success indicators," the website notes. "Users can then set up doggie dates or playtimes.” In the coming months, the company plans to expand the service to other animals, such as cats, rabbits, horses, sea lions and dolphins, according to the website. eharmony lets the cat out of the bag with the last line of the announcement saying it's "not factual" and intended as an April Fools' "spoof release."
Do dogs care about romance & affection like we do? Yes!https://t.co/PlpEfnUGOO🐶🐾 — eharmony (@eHarmony) March 30, 2018
Glamsquad: The on-demand beauty service has announced a new partnership with Wag!, on-demand mobile dog walking and dog care app, to offer dog parents and pooches matching beauty services. Styles include the “Poodle Pou” and “Off Duty Dog 'Do.” Not to spoil the fun, but the last line of the news release outs this one as an April Fools' Day joke: "While this concept isn’t so far-fetched, it unfortunately won’t be available to book on April 1st- we may be pulling your hind leg.”
Luxe has no limits! Now you and your pup can get matching do’s with our partnership with @WagWalking 🐶 pic.twitter.com/RNJ2Kk01Px — Glamsquad (@GlamSquad) March 30, 2018
L.A. Wine Project: The Los Angeles wine company’s new wine Blasé -- The World’s First 'Rosé of Indifference,’ will be available starting April 1 for $99 a bottle at www.lawineproject.com. It has a “stultifying blend of rosé and activated charcoal to soothe your troubled soul,” company officials wrote in an email to USA TODAY, adding “Blasé is a totally new kind of wine because it’s made in a totally new way. We start with grapes that have seen it all: drought, industrial pesticides, mechanical harvesting.”
Life Storage: The national self-storage company unveiled the next generation of self-storage technology with AI-powered “Howie,” the first-ever Smart Storage Smart Bot for an added $199 a month. Learn more at www.lifestorage.com/howie.
Man Crates: The men’s gifting company announced in a news release “Porch Piracy Protection,” a “new free service to combat the growing epidemic affecting people who shop online - having the packages they ordered stolen from their homes before they receive them.” Options include a giant mouse trap, swarm of bees, creepy clown and more.
#Pirates, the once despicable thieves of the high seas, have been relegated to looting unprotected doorsteps. And now, our free #porchpiracyprotection service is going to ensure they fall even further. Possibly into a pit of spikes. Learn More: https://t.co/rU7JFsrDcFpic.twitter.com/jp5lnGbPYd — Man Crates (@mancrates) March 29, 2018
Pindrop: Forget about fingerprinting. The Atlanta biometic company is launching “tongueprinting” technology, the “newest mouthpiece in Pindrop’s authentication and anti-fraud product lineup.” The technology will be available for pre-order Sunday and email aprilfools@pindrop.com to schedule a demo.
#Toungeprinting - lick your phone and authentication is achieved. Join us in leveraging the authentication power of taste buds: https://t.co/qAXJ4SYzsG — Pindrop (@pindrop) March 30, 2018
Rent the Runway: The popular fashion rental company is “is expanding its unlimited closet in the cloud to dog clothing for the first time ever.” Check out the website www.renttherunway.com/dog-clothes. Yes, this is another joke, however, it might turn into a reality. The website notes “If we get 10,000 signatures, we just might rent dog clothes.”
Introducing Rent the Runway for Dogs. Everything you love about renting now available for (wo)man’s best friend. 🐾 https://t.co/T7ZueopsW9pic.twitter.com/U5TKMMr7Mr — Rent the Runway (@RenttheRunway) March 29, 2018
Roku: These new socks look to replace the remote. “The longtime battle between snack and remote comes to an end with an innovation for Roku device, the company said in a news release introducing the “Roku Happy Streaming Socks.”
ShopRite: Last week, Reese's swapped chicken eggs inside supermarket cartons with their own Reese’s Peanut Butter Crème Eggs to surprise food shoppers.
SodaStream: The company is teaming with Bed Bath & Beyond for a fake commercial for SodaSoak, which adds bubbles to your bath water. Learn more at www.getsodasoak.com.
Bubbles make for a party in your glass, but what about your bath?! See how @RezaFarahan and #TheMountain transformed their tubs into bubs with #SodaSoakpic.twitter.com/07WTiICqQ7 — SodaStream USA (@SodaStreamUSA) March 28, 2018
Sprint: In a news release, the company announced the Sprint Magic Ball, the world's first portable all-wireless small cell disguised as a soccer ball will be rolling out across the U.S. Sunday. “First available for soccer and expanding to other sports this year, Sprint Magic Ball kicks Sprint's network plans into high gear,” the release states. “Wherever it rolls, soars or is juggled, nearby Sprint customers will have blazing fast speeds to stream videos, surf the web and use their favorite apps.” Sprint gives the prank away at the end of the release: “While Sprint does have a long history of technological innovations, Sprint Magic Ball is, well…full of hot air.”
Today, we’re kicking our network plan into high gear with the introduction of the revolutionary new @Sprint#MagicBall ⚽📶. https://t.co/Tw9CqbPKwFpic.twitter.com/8hf4YJXzHU — MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) March 30, 2018
Swanson Health: These sound like vitamins many would want to take. The company announced in a news release the upcoming launch of its "Real Fried Food" supplement line. “This first-of-its-kind fried food supplement line includes a French Fry Multivitamin, Chicken Nugget Probiotic and Cheeseburger Omegas,” according to the release. “These cutting-edge products deliver against increasing interest in lifelong happiness and align with an evolving need to “treat yo’ self.””
COMING SOON: Say YOLO to Real Fried Nutrition for the Whole Family. Learn more about our latest innovation: https://t.co/0MWqqAfIaN
Watch https://t.co/fYWqRkQOYy on Sunday for the official launch! #RealFriedFoodpic.twitter.com/H9lkUZrpkT — Swanson Health (@SwansonHealth) March 30, 2018
T-Mobile: The company unveiled the world’s first Smartshoephone: T-Mobile Sidekicks. The shoes are “fully tricked out for speed on the fastest LTE network ever and optimized for unlimited data with T-Mobile ONE,” according to a news release. The release also unveiled the tech shoes are a joke but that a non-tech version actually can be pre-ordered at www.bemagenta.com before April 15.
Tripping.com: In a blog post, the travel website claims to be a member of The Flat Earth Society and has come up with a list of the “10 best places to visit that prove the earth is flat.”
Wayfair: On April 1, the company is introducing the “world’s first digitally-controlled interactive wallpaper, enabling homeowners to completely transform the look and scent of a room in a matter of seconds,” according to a news release. “From bold florals to understated prints to trendy patterns, the new Scentsible Wallpaper collection makes it easy for design enthusiasts to instantly and remotely change the pattern of their wallpaper to match their mood, the weather or any occasion.” Learn more at www.wayfair.com.
White Castle: The hamburger fast-food chain announced in a news release it’s innovating to become the “first quick service restaurant to enter the fitness and supplement market.” Starting April 1, “those seeking gains in their protein intake can access the highly-concentrated, 100% White Castle Whey Protein Powder in stores nationwide.” Each serving includes “includes 27 sliders scientifically granulated into 189 grams of pure Whey Protein, perfect for those who are training to be the next heavyweight champion, or simply looking to maximize their muscle mass for the summer season.”
CLOSE Wondering what tricks you can play at the office for April Fools' Day? Krystin Goodwin (@krystingoodwin) has a few hilarious and harmless gags you can try on your resilient coworkers! Buzz60
USA Today reporter Zlati Meyer and digital producer Jessica Presinzano of the Bergen (N.J.) Record contributed to this report.
Kelly Tyko is a consumer columnist and retail reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Read her Bargainista tips at TCPalm.com/Bargainista and follow her on Twitter @KellyTyko. Sign up for her weekly newsletter at www.tcpalm.com/featured-newsletter/bargainistabest.
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It is a once in a generation opportunity for parents to play April Fool’s pranks on their children on Easter Sunday morning. Here are our top tips
Parents rejoice! For the first time since 1956, Easter Sunday and April Fool’s Day take place on the same day – meaning it’s a once in a lifetime chance to play corny and obvious Easter-themed pranks on your children. Here are some suggestions:
A treasure hunt with a twist
A fantastic Easter Sunday tradition is to do a treasure hunt where the Easter Bunny has left eggs around your house, and each egg has a small written clue or riddle directing the children to where they can find the next one. But this year, instead of hiding chocolate eggs, why not leave some carrots in their place. On the third or fourth clue you can make it appear as if the Easter Bunny has left a note apologising for eating all the chocolate, but saying they hope you enjoy this left-behind lunch.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Sunday is a golden opportunity for parents to wind up their children - and then just blame these guys. Photograph: Michael Walter/PA
An Easter basket with a difference
Prepare an Easter basket for the children, and either wrap it up or cover it up so the contents can’t be seen. Have a card from the Easter Bunny next to it which they can open first, with a message that the Easter Bunny wants them to have an extra special Easter this year and so has prepared a special gift for them. But rather than chocolate or sweets, what you’ve put in the basket is incredibly dull stuff that kids will be completely unimpressed by - new toothpaste, some socks, a packet of batteries.
Surprise them with grapes
This one is a bit fiddly, but promises huge rewards. Buy a packet of mini eggs with foil wrappers. Unwrap them carefully, and (optionally) eat the chocolate yourself. Wrap grapes up in the place of the chocolate. Put the grapes back in the packet and wait for hilarity to ensue.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest With a little bit of effort, grapes can be cunningly disguised as mini Easter eggs. Photograph: molka/Getty Images/iStockphoto
A sticky situation
You’ll need to prepare this in advance, but buy some of the plastic eggs that contain toys. Unwrap them, open them, and then carefully glue them shut and re-wrap them. You don’t have to be too tidy – your children are going to be thinking about getting to the toy, and are not going to be suspicious. Sit back and enjoy them trying and failing to open the eggs.
The invisible Easter egg hunt
This is an excellent plan if you have a garden. Tell the children there is an Easter egg hunt in the garden. Put the children in the garden. Close the back door. Let them spend ages searching fruitlessly for Easter eggs that you haven’t actually hidden. After you’ve enjoyed a rare 10 minutes of peace and quiet indoors, while they get increasingly bemused and frustrated, go into the garden claiming to have found a note from the Easter Bunny. The note reads “April Fool”.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Imagine the peace and quiet you could enjoy on Easter Sunday morning by sending your kids out on a quest to find some Easter eggs that simply aren’t there. Photograph: National Trust/Rex
The ultimate Easter Sunday April Fool’s prank
If you really want to get Easter started with some tears and tantrums, why not just tell your children the truth about the Easter Bunny? And Father Christmas while you are at it...
Sunday, April 1 is officially April Fools’ Day 2018. This year the “holiday” for tricksters falls on a particularly sacred day, as Christians worldwide are celebrating Easter. One would think that would put a damper on April Fools’ Day pranks, but far from it. Brands have been secretly rolling out gags over the past week. Check out the list below to see if you or anyone who know has already fallen for any. Keep this article open in a new tab, because we’re updating it in real time for April Fools’ Day 2018 to make sure you don’t fall for any tricks that individuals and companies are pulling. The April Fools’ Day pranks highlighted in the unranked list below are, in TIME’s opinion, the most believable ones out there — news, products, and services that sound like they totally exist today or that sound like they will probably exist in the near future.
Dress rental company Rent the Runway’s announcement that it now offers dog clothes.
Dating site eHarmony’s FUREVER LOVE service to help pets find companions that are good playmates and actual mates.
eHarmony
Two salons offering matching haircuts for pet owners and their pets the same matching haircuts started by Petco and a separate partnership between Wag and Glamsquad.
The latest innovation in wearable tech is not Brooks’ smart running shoe MILES (Motivational Intelligence Light Encouragement System), a running shoe that can play music, update your average time per mile.
Cars customized based on customers’ genes through a new partnership between Lexus and genetics company 23andMe, so that, for example, cars with special window tinting will be made for freckled drivers.
Jägermeister (famous for Jäger bombs)’s lip balm called Jäger balm.
Porch Piracy Protection offered by Man Crates, an insurance policy that makes sure packages don’t get stolen off your porches.
ThinkGeek‘s new line of products from Star Trek Klingon Language Fridge Magnets to a Bluetooth-enabled Pet Rock.
Smithfield’s new Bacon Crisps, a sweetened corn cereal with real pieces of bacon.
Duolingo’s beer line Brewolingo to help ease the nerves of speaking a second language in public.
The latest in farm-to-table trends: rabbit-foraged herbs sold by Fresh Direct.
