One of the greatest April Fools’ Day pranks of all time – spaghetti trees
On April Fools’ Day the internet is widely known as place for pranks and tomfoolery. March 31 each year, everyone from the mighty powers of Google to the bedroom-based individual are all scheming their plot against the unknowing surfer. This year was no exception as numerous plots were implemented. But is it any wonder that the internet breeds so many jesters? Creative talent, one great idea and the potential of reaching a world wide audience it is the perfect medium. From big to small and good to bad here I’ll list a few April Fools’ pranks that caught my eye this weekend.
Google is no stranger to the April Fool fun. Their most memorable prank, in my opinion, is the PigeonRank page from 2002 and Google Romance last year. This year they went for Google TiSP which is a free broadband service delivered straight through your home’s toilet. Nice! The Gmail team went for a new feature for the email service called Gmail Paper which allows anyone using Google’s free email service to request a free paper copy of any document in their inbox which will be delivered by Google via snail mail for free.
Michael Arrington of TechCrunch announced he had bought dotcom deadpool website, FuckedCompany. FC was a website started in the 90s to cover failing technology companies in the dotcom boom period. In his own words, Arrington, who usually reports on start up companies, said:
“That tabloid-style journalism tends to generate a lot of eyeballs and, subsequently, advertiser dollars. This is something we just can’t compete with. By acquiring FC, we can go more negative faster than anyone else out there, when and if we need to.”
Check out the comments. All 243 of them!
Who would consider having their child tattooed?! This is from some radio station in the states where they ran a promo of the business on the station and created the website www.tattooyoutoddler.com. Take a look at the comments. Some people were actually considering it.
ArtsWOM claims political commentator, Iain Dale, is giving up the politics thing altogether and moving into art including painting, writing and poetry. Dale, of course, denies it.
Probably the most unbelievable story this April Fools’ is one from The Register which claimed Apple and Google were partnering to build the “ultimate phone”. One that allows you to buy Viagra at the touch of a button.
For more April Fools’ madness check out the 100 April Fools’ Day Hoaxes Of All Time.
X-posted to The Interactive
Stephen is a communications consultant based out of the UK. You can connect with him on Twitter or check out his LinkedIn profile. | Email Stephen
Stumble it
Digg it
Deli.icio.us
Tweet this
