Here we go again. It's April Fools' Day, and like every year, Google is doing its best to outdo itself. This is the first year the company is doing so under its new Alphabet parent company, so we'll see if that has any impact. But if the jokes are anything like in previous years, we'll see jokes ranging from ridiculously lame to very clever, spanning the simple blog post to the elaborate gag.
Google's various divisions always create more practical and impractical jokes than any other tech firm, and it's simply hard to keep track of them all. As a result, we're back with our usual annual roundup.
Google Japanese Input Physical Flick Version
Google Japan announced Furikku, a physical keyboard you flick. Think of it as the hardware version of the Japanese input software for Android. And of course, the circuit board and firmware are open source.
Gmail Mic Drop
That's not the only new addition to Gmail. Mic Drop lets you have the last word on any email. If you reply using the new "Send + Mic Drop" button, everyone will receive your message, and then you won't see any responses afterwards. It's like a "reply and mute" feature.
Update: The Mic Drop "feature" caused "more headaches than laughs," so Google turned it off. Users put GIFs into critical emails and were understandably upset with Google.
Google Cardboard Plastic
Virtual reality is so yesterday. Today is all about actual reality. Google Cardboard was one thing, but Google Cardboard Plastic is even better. "What's realer than real?"
This actual reality headset beats all virtual reality headset because it has 4D integrated perspective, 360° spatially accurate sound, 20/20 resolution, advanced haptics for realistic touch sensations, has no wires, no batteries, and is lightweight and waterproof.
YouTube SnoopaVision
YouTube has added another great feature to all its videos. SnoopaVision consists of three key features: State of the art 360 technology, immersive theatrical viewing experience, and Snoop Dogg. Oh, and don't worry if it's a little wonky -- it's in beta.
Parachutes by Google Express
Sure, drones are probably the future of delivery. But they're not ready yet. You know what technology is ready? Parachutes.
Chrome Chromebook
The Chrome Chromebook is shiny -- really shiny. It features tungsten space-grade chrome engineering with revolutionary new microchrome technology, a highly reflective chrome alloy case with two layers of automotive clear-coat for infinite reflections, a platinum white backlit LED keyboard that bounces light off a minimum of seven surfaces before striking the eye, a microfiber sleeve that helps retain that just-unboxed glow, radiant 4k lumen reflective properties, unheard-of pixel density, and a CLED (Chrome Light-Emitting Diode) screen.
Compressing everything
Google X has had another brilliant idea: miniaturizing all physical objects. This will dramatically increase global portability, reduce the carbon footprint of everything, and generally fix the world's problems.
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.