On this April Fools' Day in 2025 the line between absurdity and innovation has never been blurrier. From Anova's oven affirmations ("You're not overcooked, you're emotionally complex") to Razer’s Skibidi headset designed to decode Gen Z's in-game lingo, tech pranks continue to reflect our ever-evolving relationship with technology. Skibidit translates phrases thrown out by young gamers such as, "What the sigma? We're getting mobbed," which means, "Your team needs support." And "I think you're cute" becomes "ni hao fine shyt." New voice in ChatGPT also sounded like a teenager you just woke up from a nap. Lots of exaggerated sighs and sarcastic quips.
While we laugh, there's often a subtle truth behind even most absurd jokes – a nod to how technology can shape our lives, for better or worse. Perhaps in a world where we are trying to replace bike rides and walks (e.g., with KICKR EARTH, by Wahoo) and touch grass virtually via Dbrand’s latest skin (a remake of keyboards from 2022), the real punchline is that the future is here, and it's a little more ridiculous than we ever imagined.
We heard about gaming chairs, now meet Elgato’s Streaming Desks. It's actually a control panel with 1,262 customizable keys, for streamers and content creators who need every shortcut imaginable. Probably with plenty of "any keys", as well, The absurdity of turning an entire desk into a giant, impractical Stream Deck—complete with a premium walnut finish—hits the sweet spot of tech humor: it’s ridiculous yet just plausible enough to make you double-check the date. The over-the-top nature of it, paired with Elgato’s reputation for streaming gear, probably had people chuckling and wishing it were real (or not).
Artificial Peripheral intelligence (or API) by @deviparikh and @yutori_ai marks new era of agentic computer use. Your levitating mouse powered with AI will do all the work for you.
On the wearables front, UK's mattress company, the Odd Company has unveiled the “City Napper,” a £350 portable mattress designed for commuters who struggle to leave their beds in the morning. This “wearable mattress” comes with a wraparound headrest and quilted poncho, pitched as the ultimate commuting companion for napping on public transit. It provides neck support and warmth while keeping germs at bay – perfect for catching extra sleep on the go. It’s impractical in the best way—imagine someone waddling onto a subway wrapped in a mattress—and nails the wearable tech trend of solving first-world problems with over-engineered flair. Whether you're facing rain or shine, the Babybel Wax Sleeping Bagwill (from nostalgic snack cheese brand Babybel) will add more comfort and warmth, much like a cheese toastie - keeping you snug and toasty no matter the weather.
Another wearable-adjacent prank was Nothing’s “Ear (3.5mm),” a pair of wired earbuds with a comically long 50-meter cable, mocking the wireless trend while pretending to cater to audiophiles who miss the old days.
Protein Works has launched Doms Proteinon, an alcohol-free protein-packed version of Dom Pérignon champagne. Terry’s Chocolate is revolutionizing oral care with their “Chocolate Mint Toothpaste” combining dental hygiene with popular chocolate mint flavor. Aldi stores across Scotland have launched “Taps Aff,” a 100% natural alcohol alternative made from beloved Scottish tap water, one of the things Scots are so proud of! Sports drink company Bodyarmor launched a Sports Performance Shampoo packed with electrolytes and vitamins. Heck Food, renowned for its gluten-free sausages, burgers, and more, introduced Matcha Chipolatas. Gluten free, high protein lean chicken sausages spiced with Matcha Green tea. Wellness and sausages – a Match-a made in heaven?
April Fool's Day tech jokes have evolved significantly over the years. Initially, they often revolved around futuristic ideas that seemed absurd at the time but later inspired real innovations. Examples include Google's "MentalPlex" search by thought (2000), a predecessor of Google's Assistant and "Google Pigeon Internet" (2000), later launched as Google's Project Loon. Apple AirPods Pro with "EarFit"(2020) turned into AirPods Pro (2nd generation) released next year. These pranks hinted at creative concepts rooted in technology, reflecting optimism and imagination about technological possibilities. They were also used as a way to gauge people's enthusiasm about new ideas. Later, jokes started to focus on absurdity or satire rather than inspiring dreams of the future. For instance, Miz Mooz's Selfie Shoes with built-in cameras that automatically take selfies every time you take a step(2015) exaggerated society's obsession with selfies. Uber Kittens" (2017), a service where you could have kittens delivered to you by Uber for a few minutes of cuddling, was both heartwarming and completely absurd.
The rapid pace of technological advancements has made it harder to surprise audiences with futuristic concepts. People are now so accustomed to groundbreaking innovations that the impact of such jokes has diminished. Additionally, companies may steer clear of elaborate pranks due to concerns about misinformation or backlash. For instance, Google halted its April Fool's Day jokes in 2020, citing the global pandemic and a shift in focus toward more serious matters. As a result, humor has shifted increasingly toward absurdity and satire, reflecting current societal trends rather than aspirational visions of the future.
Yet, despite these shifts, there are still some genuinely creative ideas that come out of April Fools' Day pranks. At their best, these jokes remain not only enjoyable but also thought-provoking, offering a playful glimpse into what could be possible—or absurd—tomorrow. The tradition of humor through technology continues to evolve, keeping us laughing and questioning the world around us.
