April Fools' Day is the one day of the year when you can let loose with those pranks you've been saving up for housemates, family members and colleagues.
It's also the day when businesses and companies let down their collective hair, have a 'thought shower' and come up with the most ludicrous press releases known to man.
The resulting affect on the world's news pages is not unlike taking a highly serious and educational tome, and then drawing an inappropriate object on the inside of the first page; it's obviously childish and yet you still find yourself laughing on the tube.
In this spirit we've collected the funniest and the most cringeworthy April Fools' Day stories in the world of technology:
Naked Banking
Barclaycard Anything is well, literally just that. The company has announced plans to turn absolutely anything into a contactless card, which is not without a complete sense of irony as the tech industry is already hoping to turn your bracelet, watch and phone into a payment device. Still, we respect that they're looking out for the naturists.
CERN Confirms The Existence Of 'The Force'
We all knew it was true didn't we. Let us not pretend any longer. There isn't a single Star Wars fan that hasn't stared longingly at a red traffic light and thought: "I wonder if I could....no, course not, don't be silly", and then promptly waves their hand.
An official spokesperson for CERN said, "The Force is what gives a particle physicist his powers, It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us; and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”
Google Goes Backwards
Type it in and be amazed.
Twitter Holiday
It's mid-summer and almost everyone you know is on holiday. It's sickening because while they're all: 'OMG free drinks by the pool! #lovinglife', you're stuck at work wondering whether to have Pret or Eat for lunch.
It's not fair, which is why Park Inn by Radisson has unveiled E-Scapes: a virtual holiday via your social media.
For a fraction of the price of a real holiday, Radisson will take over your social media accounts and hashtag your friends into a jealous rage as they give across the impression that you're sunning it in the Caribbean on a private yacht. It's the best of both worlds, surely.
MS-DOS Returns
It's MS-DOS, but for your modern day smartphone. If nothing else, we like this prank for its nostalgic value. Good work Microsoft.