These are the best 2016 April Fools tech pranks on the Web

For only $49.99, you can swing across to Monoprice and pick up the latest revolution in cable connections -- the USB-D. This industry-standard cable removes the need for Firewire connections, microUSBs and others for charging your devices -- instead, the USB-D caters for all of your devices and is faster than today's cables, reaching 10YTB in transfer speeds.

Source

Every tech company needs to diversify to stay strong in today's markets and it appears the paranormal has caught the eye of Sony.

The Proton Pack, the result of 30 years' hard work, is a handheld device which captures the unknown through a superconducting synchrotron, which accelerates injected protons from a hydrogen plasma cell. The tracker also makes use of a liquid helium reservoir, beam-steering technology, and eliminates spectral noise feedback loops by grounding itself to a user's spine.

Source

An April Fools' prank which went awry, Google's Mic tool was released today as a means to send a final email in an annoying thread (just think about the 'reply all' chats at work), have the last word with an embedded image that makes your feelings clear -- and then never hear from them again, no matter who responds.

The prank was a bit glitchy and after complaints across Twitter and product forums -- some from business users of which April Fools' has turned into a disaster due to the button -- Google removed the feature.

Source

Hoverboards caused a stir last Christmas, not only as one of the most sought-after toys, but also for being a terrible fire risk (at least, with cheap models and knock-offs).

If you still have your hoverboard stashed, however, you could always look at investing in the smother bag -- a foil bag developed by iFixit to put out catastrophic fires on the go.

Source

Deemed a "breakthrough" in the automotive industry, the Lexus V-LCRO seat system uses velcro panelling to "hold the driver in the correct position through the most aggressive manoeuvres."

Naturally, drivers will have to wear tailored clothing with the other half of the velcro strips attached -- but perhaps it's worth it to feel so close to your machine.

Source

This might look just like a simple pillow, but in reality, it is so much more.

The $99 Duolingo Pillow is set to shake the very foundations of the language learning industry, and will no doubt destroy books, mobile apps and software created for learning Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese.

Want to learn one of these languages? Just rest your head, and thanks to the pillow's inbuilt technology which will fiddle with your cerebral cortex, you will be fluent by the time the sun rises.

Source

Google has gone beyond the digital realms beginning to surface with today's VR technology, and instead, has introduced the only headset on the market for "actual reality."

The Cardboard Plastic VR headset lets you see reality -- your way. 360-degree angles, 20/20 resolution (depending on your eyesight) and available in six colors, what more could you ask for? After all, as Google says, "what is more real than real?"

Source

Today, customers of T-Mobile can enjoy #BingeOnUp -- a campaign to lure more customers to the fold by enticing them with a way to catch up on TV shows and stream content while remaining productive. The catch? You'll need to wear the chunky, logo-emblazoned headstand for your mobile device for the best binging experience.

Source

Taking 'try before you buy' to the next level, OpenTable has released a free app which lets you test out a restaurant's wares before booking a table.

Swipe through, find an establishment you're interested in, and give your screen a lick to sample the food. If you're not happy, just carry on the search and keep licking. Once you've found one suitable for your palate, book and enjoy the full menu later.

Source

For the bargain price of $249.99, you can be the proud owner of ThinkGeek's VR Sensory Immersion Generator, a VR accessory which brings your Oculus Rift, Samsung VR or Google Cardboard headset to the next level.

Chuck on your headset, hand the generator to a friend and they can add touch, smell and taste to your game. I just hope your friend is trustworthy.

Source

Keyboard users who prefer the physical to touchscreen may enjoy Google Japan's flick keyboard, a chunky accessory in which users flick keys, based on a 5-way mechanism, to type out their emails.

Customizable and rather cool, you can take back control of your keystrokes, whether you use it for letters, numbers or emojis. A shame it's a prank.

Source

Google might be working on an autonomous vehicle, but the tech giant has obviously dropped the ball.

Steaming ahead, Leisure Vans has just released a fully autonomous RV. All you need to do is download an accompanying iPad app, plug in your coordinates, and enjoy the scenery while your vehicle gets you there.

Source

Audio technology has come a long way in the last decade -- but for true surround sound, Moshi's SpatiaFlight levitating speakers are set to rock the industry. Not only do the speakers float alongside you through levitating technology, but you can take them with you wherever you go and they will not fall behind thanks to travel speeds of up to 30mph.

Source

If you're worried about technology and robots taking your job in the future, you should be -- especially if you work in the humble bookstore.

Perhaps as a means to cut down labor costs, bookseller Foyle has developed a helpful hologram which replaces assistants and answers any questions you may have thanks to a stored memory equivalent to 100 human booksellers.

Source

The younger generation is probably more familiar with emojis, so why not use them to entice new drivers over to Honda? The automaker's latest idea, the emoji license plates, replace typical letters and numbers with a range of characters certain to make a statement.

Source

There's little more annoying in life than when you are walking down a sidewalk and are bumped into by a person who is glued to their phone.

So why not give these people, enraptured by their smartphones, a cue when they are about to smash into something?

Firebox's i-Dodge could be the key. The smartphone case will give users ample notice before a collision -- so there is now no excuse.

Source

Over at Google Australia, the tech giant is working on a seamless solution for a plague in our daily lives -- the missing sock.

These socks are fitted with LTE beacons that light up and sing a song if you lose one of them, thanks to an accompanying app which will track down the missing perpetrator.

Source