Google kicked things off a day early this year with a supposed port of Google Maps to the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. Here's an overview of April Fools' weekend shenanigans.
(Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)
Fakery on the internet? You've got to be kidding.
No, no; it's true. Especially on April Fools' Day, when the world wide web and mischievous geeks all over the planet celebrate leg-pulls and pushovers.
This year, Google kicked things off a day early with a supposed port of Google Maps to Nintendo's 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. What follows is a rundown of other 2012 Fools' Day shenanigans, in case you foolishly missed them. (We've tossed in a few related stories for good measure, too — although we only included a few of Google's, because they had eleventy billion.)
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(Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)
Google Maps 8-bit for NES
Google got things rolling for April Fools' 2012 with a fake 8-bit port of Google Maps to the Nintendo Entertainment System. A bogus promo video set the tone, and a link on the Google Maps page let people try out a simulation.
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(Credit: Google)
Google Tap
QWERTY keyboards are just too much effort. With Google Tap for Gmail smartphone apps, you can simplify it down to just two, using Morse code. "This makes it ideal for situations where you need to discreetly send emails, such as when you're on a date or in a meeting with your boss," said the blog post by Reed Morse.
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(Credit: Google)
Google Racing
In this partnership with auto racing giant NASCAR, Google has created the world's first self-driving race car. "We think the most important thing computers can do in the next decade is to drive cars — and that the most important thing Google Racing can do in the next decade is drive them, if possible, more quickly than anyone else. Or anything else."
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(Credit: Google)
Google Roo
Forget cars: kangaroos are where it's at. Now, special headpieces allow you to view the Australian outback through the eyes of our most iconic native fauna.
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(Credit: Michelle Starr/CNET)
Rovio's Pigs Defence
Angry Birds has been Rovio's sole project for years now — but new property Pigs Defence will change everything.
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(Credit: CNET UK)
Pirate Bay submarines
According to our sister site CNET UK, The Pirate Bay is getting literal — by hosting its servers offshore in submarines.
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(Credit: ZDNet Australia)
Huawei to buy Sydney landmarks
Reports from our sister site ZDNet Australia, "Following the Federal Government's decision to ban Huawei from tendering for National Broadband Network contracts, it looks as if the Chinese giant may have decided to retaliate by attempting to snap up two of Sydney's most iconic landmarks" — the Sydney Tower and the Harbour Bridge.
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(Credit: Roku)
Roku Shake Remote
Now you can exercise and watch telly at the same time, using the Roku Shake Remote. Says the web page, "Unleash your inner Zoolander and shake your way to a really, really good-looking body with the 'Stiller' mode. If it's '80s aerobics you're looking for, grab your leg warmers and downshift to the 'Fonda' mode. Or, for the ultimate Navy SEAL-certified workout, channel Hollywood's favourite enormous blond muscle-bound Euro bad guy with the 'Lundgren' mode. You'll get ripped and develop a killer Euro accent too!"
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(Credit: Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)
Conan O'Brien buys Mashable
Media mogul Conan O'Brien announced that he had acquired the tech blog Mashable and ousted site founder and CEO Pete Cashmore. O'Brien explained that the move was motivated by a desire to correct the "atrocious" job Mashable does in covering tech news.
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(Credit: Kodak)
Kodak kitten printer
No more boring photographs! Now, using LIVEprint technology, Kodak allows you to print actual real live kittens!
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(Credit: A Blog to Read)
PetStraps
Remember your beloved pet stylishly with PetStraps. It lovingly takes strips of your companion's skin and makes them into a classy, one-of-a-kind leather strap for your watch.
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(Credit: XKCD)
XKCD's crazily convoluted prank
XKCD pulled out a doozy this year. Depending on what browser you were using, what site you were referred from, where you were in the world and what internet service provider you use, you saw a different comic when you visited the home page. The full rundown is here.
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(Credit: ThinkGeek)
Minecraft Marshmallow Creeps
Combine an addiction to Minecraft with a sweet tooth and what do you get? These adorably delicious Minecraft-themed marshmallow treats! Says ThinkGeek, "As you know, the first batch of CREEPS came coated with a fine layer of sulphur. While totally authentic, the taste was ... Well, let's just say it was an acquired taste. As a result of your feedback, we've replaced the sulphur coating with coarse grain sugar. The effect is delicious and tasty, but also less explosivey. We'll leave it to you to decide whether this was a good trade off."
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(Credit: ThinkGeek)
Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos for iPad
Board games are so passé. If it's worth playing, it's worth playing on the iPad — which is why ThinkGeek has announced this genius peripheral for playing Hungry Hungry Hippos on the capacitive screen.
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(Credit: Blizzard)
Zergotchi
Relive the Tamagotchi craze all over again, and keep your Battle.net account safe in one fell swoop ... StarCraft style! Says Blizzard, "Combining a Battle.net authenticator and a virtual pet into one seamless design, the Zergotchi will not only be an endless source of fun, but will also make sure your account stays as secure and safe as ever." Yes, OK: we want one.
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(Credit: Blizzard)
Fledgling heroes: Blizzard novels for a new generation
Lore is a massive part of Blizzard, and includes games, comics and novels. Now there is a new line for tweens: Blizzard Heroes. "Starting this year, our new Fledgling Heroes series of young adult novels, aimed at our growing tween and teen audience, will give you a chance to watch iconic Blizzard characters fall in love, overdo it with concealer and tackle that most dangerous of raids: the emergency house party."
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(Credit: Blizzard)
StarCraft: Supply Depot 2
A StarCraft adventure on our smartphones? With ... actually, we can't really tell what it's supposed to be about...
- Endless hours of gaming including repeat playthroughs and Endurance Mode!
- Deep, rewarding gameplay—multilevel play control allows you to both raise and lower Supply Depot!
- Riveting backstory set in the StarCraft game universe!
- Get up close and personal with an iconic StarCraft hero!
- Multiple endings, each influenced by your choices and colour-coded for your convenience! (Further epic endings planned for post release as downloadable content)
- Tens of hundreds of thousands of unlockable hats!
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(Credit: Blizzard)
Zergling typing
Education just got cool. "Skzzzt! Brnnchh! W'rkncacnter! Learn these and many other important zerg vocabulary words while also dramatically improving your words per minute and keystroke accuracy."
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(Credit: Toshiba)
Toshiba Shapes
Forget boring old rectangular tablets. Why not an oval? Or a rhombus? Or even a lovely heart?
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(Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)
World's smallest ultrabook: the Vaio Q
You want thin, light and ultraportable? Sony's got your back, with an ultrabook you can slide into your wallet, pocket or make-up case.
Did we miss a trick? Let us know about it in the comments below!
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