Google Maps Pac Man

I know what most of you must be thinking, after just reading this post's title, but Google has just taken April Fool's jokes to a whole new level. One of the most famous arcade games released by Namco, Pac-Man took the American nation by storm. Starting in arcade halls, to home entertainment systems, and most recently to hand-held game devices, the Pac-Man saga stands as one of the most-played franchises in video game history.

At this point in our lives, I think it's safe to assume that everyone knows the many tricks played on April Fool's Day (maybe being horror stories). But the folks at Google decided to take a more productive approach by combining retro gaming and nostalgia with an educational approach to understanding geographical directions (reading maps). Upon connecting to the Google Maps main page, the user is prompted with an option to explore the surrounding area from a virtual perspective. While this added option may not be the best use of time and may present further distractions from completing assigned homework, it allows Google to connect to the community by sharing its admiration for the Pac-Man franchise and once again showing the company's appreciation of its users.

Google Launches YouTube Kids Application

It's amazing to think that YouTube was founded when I was in 5th grade; it sure has been a long time since 2005. But, it has become abundantly clear, in the past nine years, that online streaming media has become a staple in electronic entertainment (alongside television, radio, and the telephone); And YouTube, has always been the one leading the way. Recently at the 2015 Kidscreen Summit in Media, Google Inc. launched a new mobile application aimed specifically at children by providing a broad selection of family-focused, age-appropriate YouTube channels and videos. What was once an on-demand television parental setting, has now become an operational streaming service dedicated to media consumption without the threat of inappropriate content in commercials.

As the company's first official standalone application for children, the unveiling received great reception when it was simultaneously added to the Google Play Store and was made available on all Androids and iOS devices. More specifically, the application selects and manages content in four respective channels: shows, music, learning, and explore. Some of the most popular content offered on the application includes National Geographic Kids, DreamWorksTV and Talking Tom and Friends, as well as episodes and clips from PBS's Sesame Street.

 
As a strictly educational media streaming service, YouTube Kids is completely free to the user and is subsequently funded by age-appropriate advertisements (similar to Hulu's advertisement arrangement). It's great to see Google moving in the educational direction with media consumption and content recommendations. Google believes that the future is in educational streaming media; it's evident that many more educational institutions are making a transition to online homework submission. Streaming video is just the beginning.