On Thursday April 17 we played around looking for digital Easter Eggs – little jokes hidden in programs and websites by programmers. Here are a few we actually found – and some we found out about later!
Google Search:
- “do a barrel roll”: Typing this into the search bar causes the entire Google page to rotate.
- “askew”: Searching for “askew” will produce an image of the search screen that looks askew.
- “flip a coin”: This command will display a coin flip animation.
- “the answer to the ultimate question of life the universe and everything calculator”: Google Calculator will display “42,” a reference to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. This sometimes works!
- “anagram”: Google Search will generate an anagram of “anagram”
- “Google in 1998” shows the Google search page as it appeared in 1998
- “Squid Game” displays an animated brown invitation card near the bottom of the search results screen. When you tap it, a handful of contestants line up at the bottom of the screen across from a cartoon version of the series’ unnerving animatronic doll, Young-hee, for a game of red light, green light. The game is simple: you order your contestants to move forward when Young-hee’s head is turned away, and to stop before she turns around. If you get all six contestants across the finish line, you’ll be rewarded with a graphic of a piggy bank. If Young-hee catches any of them moving, they’ll walk off screen. (When the same thing happens in the show, of course, contestants caught moving are killed.) The game is simple, but it’s a fun way to waste a minute or two, particularly if you’re into the show already. Be warned that the phrase Young-hee sings while her head is turned (“Mugunghwa-kkochi pieot-seumnida”) will be stuck in your head all day, though. https://www.androidpolice.com/thread/squid-game-search-easter-egg/
Firefox: - In the address bar type about:Mozilla. This reveals an apocalyptic quotation from the fictional Book of Mozilla.
- In the address bar type about:robots . You will see a message from the robots.
- In the address bar type about:credits. This shows a scrolling list of volunteer developers over the years who’ve made Firefox possible.
Android: - Android version: Tapping repeatedly on the Android version number in the “About Device” section of Settings can unlock a secret game.
Google Maps: Search for “Random TARDIS in the middle of London” This will take you to the Earl’s court police box . The “Street view” is the inside of the Tardis
Other Platforms: - Siri (iOS): Asking Siri “Siri, am I stupid?” can elicit a sarcastic response.
- Alexa (Amazon): Saying “Alexa, who you gonna call?” can trigger a funny response.
Google Earth: From the menu bar across the top, select Tools / Flight Simulator – and you’ll have the opportunity to fly a fighter jet or four seater prop plane over your chosen bit of the world. There’s support for a joystick too.
Chris Betterton-Jones – Knowledege Junkie