Google set the tone nicely for this year's April Fools by announcing the closure of YouTube alongside a new "Treasure Mode" for its popular Maps service, but the Big G isn't the only company feeling a little mischievous this Easter Monday. Many other big names, from Twitter to Samsung, have joined in the camaraderie, and here, we take a look at some of the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious of today's spoofs.
Facebook's 'new home on Android' announcement on April 4th could, if the latest reports are to be believed, take the form of a home screen dedicated to the social network. The WallStreetJournal has learned that next week's event will give us an overview of the home screen which will apparently "display content from users' Facebook accounts on a smartphone's home screen." More details after the jump.
Facebook is the world’s most favored and popular social network for a reason; the web application-plus-social platform has evolved so much over time, that if you were to put its earlier editions next to the current shape and look of the website, you would barely be able to make any connection (except maybe the familiar blues). From the photo sharing experience to availability (and playability) of the games, the groups and assorted communications, the improved messaging interface and the integrated video calling, along with almost everything else, has improved by leaps and bounds over time. However, that doesn’t imply that all areas of Facebook are an absolute delight, and one of the worse examples comes in the form of Facebook Chat.
Facebook is already the biggest social network on the planet, but that doesn't mean it has everything its own way. For every user that actively updates their feeds with new content for their friends to read, there must be many, many more that simply visit Facebook in order to keep up with what their old school pals are doing.
Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal reflects fondly on a time when he used to pester former Apple CEO Steve Jobs to allow him an early look at the iPhone. As one of the most famous names in sporting history, Shaq was accustomed to companies falling over each other to have him endorse and use their products for promotional purposes, but despite calling Jobs every other day, the late, great Apple co-founder refused to budge. In a rather heartwarming tale of conversation between two legends in their own right, Jobs had to contend with an almost daily barrage of "Stevey baby, it's Shaqy, can I get one of those iPhones?"
In this Digital Age, we're certainly using paper a great deal less than we used to. Whether reading, writing or corresponding, the ease in which one can send an e-mail, purchase and read a new book or create a document is something often taken for granted, but as one French company has correctly pointed out, there are still plenty of uses for paper in our day-to-day lives. Humorously portrayed in an advertisement, a husband constantly taunts his bemused partner by enjoying a more efficient, digital life than his altogether more traditional other half; but soon comes a cropper in a certain situation where a tablet simply cannot be of any use.
Everyone is very quick to accuse Facebook of trying to take over the world, but Twitter has thus far gone somewhat under the radar. Often thought of as Facebook's poor relation, Twitter is also looking to make itself indispensable to its users by branching out from simply offering a way to share 140-characters worth of text.
Google has just announced that Andy Rubin, chief of the search company's Android mobile platform, is stepping down from his role, with Chrome and Apps Vice President Sundar Pichai taking his place. Rubin has been at the helm of Android since the company acquired it way back in 2005, and has helped it become one the most widely-used mobile OS in the world. Pichai will take the reigns at Android, but will also continue his role as VP of Chrome and Apps for the foreseeable future.
Facebook is not only central to the world of modern technology in general, but also a significant part of the lives of its one billion (and counting) user base. One of the key elements of the world's foremost social networking service is the famed News Feed, and Mark Zuckerberg's team has just sent out invites to various members of the press inviting them to an upcoming special event, in which many significant changes to the News Feed will be showcased. The event will take place on March 7th at Facebook's Menlo Park headquarters, and although specific details remain under wraps for the time being, the very fact Mark Zuckerberg's company has opted to host the event at its HQ suggests whatever is announced will be of great significance.
Angry Birds has been a huge success story of the modern mobile platform, and the franchise has branched out considerably since starting out as a simple game for iOS. As I write this, I am surrounded by several Angry Birds plush toys, but products have ranged from phone cases, to speaker docks, to books. The natural progression would probably be a movie, but with that particular venture scheduled to be happening in years to come, fans will have to make do with a new Web cartoon series, which premieres on March 16th and 17th.
