Thankfully for tech bloggers the Anglo Saxon world over, this year April Fools Day aka All Fools Day fell on a Sunday. That didn’t stop PR folk waking from a fitful, hungover sleep, dragging their laptops into bed and sending out a “funny” press release, which is why you should probably still watch out today.
But above the dross stands — as it does every year — ThinkGeek. In the past, we have seen such April Fool wonders as the Taun Taun sleeping bag for kids, the iCade iPad arcade cabinet and the 8-bit tie. This year, ThinkGeek went to town with a whole range of fake gear. Here we take a look at the best.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JUowrnlMSPc
It seems so obvious now we’ve seen it, but it took the twisted minds of the crazy boffins at ThinkGeek to make it “real.” The fictional Ackbar will play the Cantina song and say “It’s a trap!” This is one singing fish plaque I would actually buy.
Barbie™ Digital Fashion Styling Head for iPad
This is utter genius, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became a real product like many other ThinkGeek April Fool gags. It’s a Barbie™ iPad app and a Barbie™ dock. Using a lipstick-shaped stylus you pain Barbie™’s makeup onto her youthful face.
Like I said, genius. But it’s worth reading ThinkGeek’s product blurb, too, as it goes completely over the top with TM™ marks:
Every look you create for Barbie™ is saved instantly to the private and secure Barbie™ CloudCastle™ Network using the free Barbie™ DreamSync™ Fashion Styling App.
Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos for iPad
Ok, here’s one that’s actually Apple-related: The Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos for iPad. The iPad stands in for the playing board and rolling marbles, and the surrounding dock supplies those hungry, hungry hippos. Through the magic of imagination (and probably capacitive hippo incisors), you can slap their tails and have them gobble up the virtual glass balls.
It gets better. There is already a faux sequel planned: “Hungry Hungry Hippos: Space.”
Star Trek Inflatable Captain’s Chair
Last, but far from least, is the Star Trek Inflatable Captain’s Chair. Built for kids and small adult lifeforms up to 120 pounds (54 kilos), the chair will let your child boldly go where no child has gone before (yes, the vegetable aisle at the local supermarket).
Unbearably cute, it is printed with buttons and lights. I would have loved this as a kid. As it was I use one of our armchairs with a couple of tupperware boxes on the arms.
April Fool?
It turns out that one of these products is actually real, and can be ordered today. Can you guess which?
