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MagyarTop 4 tech April Fool's gags: From secret studio robots to Razer's deadly gaming chair
1. Razer Cthulhu - (not even) the most ridiculous gaming chair
In a rather comical YouTube video (embedded below), Razer announced the Cthulhu — a gaming chair from the product team's worst Terminator-inspired nightmares. The over-the-top gaming chair features eight AI-controlled robotic arms that are there to help gamers stave off distractions.
Cthulhu will supposedly take care of everything from feeding you to combing your hair, and even shaving without you ever needing to leave pause your game or even leave your spot. Of course, we have seen some ridiculous gaming chairs, before, but never anything like Razer's insane nightmare fuel.
As one last gag for the “announcement,” the chair's AI seemingly gains sentience and traps its occupant, declaring “You'll never leave this chair, again.”
The product page is also filled with Easter eggs, like the AI system being named Razer Skynapse and described as follows:
RAZER™ SKYNAPSE
Made possible from our breakthroughs in condensing power and performance on the Razer Blade 18, each AI tentacle is outfitted with a Razer Skynapse Chip and trained with over 1,337 TB. We can assure a 96.9%* chance of the tentacles always listening to you!
2. Nothing Phone (2a) Micro - the most upsetting April Fool's announcement
Nothing has a pretty unique design language and corporate identity, with all the flashy lights, transparent backs, and peculiar software skins, but even it seems to think small smartphones are a joke. Nothing's April Fool's gag involved a tiny version of the brand new Nothing Phone (2a) (curr. $485 on Amazon), which also ostensibly only features a single rear camera.
Of course, the Phone (2a) Micro doesn't exist and likely never will, but it pokes fun at the failures of phones like the iPhone 13 mini and the Asus Zenfone 10 (curr. $699.99 on Amazon). The death of the small smartphone has been something of a pain point for many tech enthusiasts, as is evidenced by the Nothing Phone (2a) Micro post on X (formerly Twitter) garnering replies from people saying they would immediately buy the diminutive handset.
Phone (2a) Micro.
— Nothing (@nothing) April 1, 2024
Size doesn't matter. pic.twitter.com/6O5byNduXb
3. MKBHD's robotic takeover
Occasional studio tours from tech creators are commonplace nowadays, but YouTuber MKBHD's April Fool's gag involved a supposed out-take titled “Studio_Tour_Outtake_DONOTPUBLISH.mp4” posted to X (formerly Twitter). While, at first, it just seems like a normal studio tour, when Marques turns a corner, a bipedal robot briefly walks through the scene, prompting Marques to try to obscure the robot from view with his body. The camera then pans to reveal two more iRobot-esque androids doing studio tasks like writing or editing and setting up the lighting for a shot.
MKBHD has a bit of a reputation for using crazy camera gear and studio equipment, so the joke works really well, but it's the execution of the April Fool's video that really impresses. The CGI is surprisingly good, despite the significant camera shake of the footage — no doubt intentional to make it seem more authentic.
Studio_Tour_Outtake_DONOTPUBLISH.mp4 pic.twitter.com/KSl58E7Ir4
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) April 1, 2024
4. OnePlus Nord CE4 Indian launch - should have been an April Fool's joke
OnePlus India, in its infinite wisdom, decided to launch an actual product, the OnePlus Nord CE4 on April 1, putting an April Fool's spin on the whole shebang by having the launch event, titled “Nord Another Keynote” presented by Indian comedian-turned-YouTuber Rohan Joshi.
While the event seems to have gone down fairly well, with fans seemingly appreciating the light-hearted tone, calling the keynote and its plentiful jokes and skits “cringe” is a bit of an understatement.
Overall, though, the Nord CE4 appears to be a well-rounded mid-ranger, even if it doesn't necessarily blow away the competition, like the Google Pixel 7a (curr. $374 on Amazon).
