April Fools’ Day, a time for people to try to prank everybody even though everybody knows that it’s April Fools’ Day and nobody is falling for these dumb gags. However that won’t stop companies from trying to get some free press out of it.
In the past couple years corporate America has seen the marketing possibilities of creating fake products and sharing them on social media. This year is no exception.
If done correctly, like the Entourage-themed Johnnie Walker, the PR stunts can go viral giving the company free exposure (e.g., this article).
While most are very forgettable, there are some that are somewhat funny. Here is a roundup of all of the April Fools’ Day prank products so you don’t share the faux doodad on Facebook that you thought was a real thing.
Selfie Shoes
Selfie sticks are banned at Coachella and Lollapalooza, but don’t fret there’s a new way to snap a selfie while looking like a complete narcissistic asswipe. Introducing Selfie Shoes! That’s right, you can now get the right angle for that perfect selfie thanks to Miz Mooz.
The company explains how easy the Selfie Shoes are, “Just insert your phone into the port at the front of either your right or left shoe, raise it to the perfect angle and click the internal button with a tap of your toe to take the photo.”
Sadly, based on our vapid society, I actually believed this was a real product.
Game Of Thrones Clue
WHY IS THIS AN APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PRANK!?!? I’d play the shit out of a Game of Thrones-themed Clue board game. Whodunit? Fucking Cersei Lannister killed her brother with poisoned wine at Casterly Rock, that’s who-fucking-dunit.
Game of Thrones Hodor Travel Buddy
Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor. Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor. Hodor, Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor.
Grouber
Groupon debuts Grouber, a rideshare service that has cats drive the cars.
“Our drivers are spayed, neutered and have no reason to curl up in your lap and make it awkward. Trust us, these cats are cool. And every Grouber experience should be a paws-itive one.”
You have cat to be kitten me.
Petbox
Keep your precious pets pampered and entertained by renting the latest movies and games such as Gone Squirrel and Horrible Possums 2.
Samsung Galaxy Edge Blade
Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge has caused so much of a stir that they have focused their attention to another area, the kitchen. The Galaxy BLADE Edge is a hybrid phone/knife that features “a razor-sharp diamond edge, tough enough to cut through a lobster tail and sharp enough to slice though tender heirloom tomatoes.” They definitely stole that design from Apple.
Audi Autonomous Office Chairs
A motorized office chair with a calendar so it automatically takes you to your office meetings? AND it has facial recognition technology so you can avoid your boss? Yeah, I need to expense some of these for the office immediately.