Why Tech Takes April Fools' Day So Seriously

Tech journalists hate April Fools' Day. Not because we don't like a good joke — heck, who doesn't? — but because we're basically recycling PR stunts on behalf of the companies we cover.

Just keeping track of Google on April 1 is a full-time occupation. By my count, the company had 14 pranks this year. (Does that mean there will be 15 next year?) But Google's hardly alone. Microsoft, Twitter, LinkedIn, Nokia, Samsung, Kickstarter, Roku and Tumblr, just to name a few, have tried their hands at goofs this April Fools'

For Google, the tomfoolery dates back to 2000, when it introduced MentalPlex, a feature that let you summon a search by staring at a GIF. The company also introduced goofy error messages (sample: "Error 006: Query is unclear. Try again after removing hat, glasses and shoes.") Read more...