Google cheekily rickrolls visitors of the Play Store page for Pixel Launcher

by Milen Yanachkov / Mar 20, 2017, 8:44 AM

Google just loves rickrolling. Since as early as 2011, the Big G has been trolling users with Rick Astley's 1987 earworm “Never Gonna Give You Up” in various creative ways. People who joined YouTube's HTML5 experiment back in 2011 and tried to download a video by clicking “Save as...” were treated to the song. Then, some years later, users poking around the code of the YouTube Android app were baited by links promising interesting insight into the app's future, only to become the subjects of a cold-blooded rickroll.

And now, in 2017, it seems like Google's fascination with the ancient meme has still not died. What's the latest prank, you may ask? Well, it is on the Play Store page for Google's new Pixel Launcher. In one of the screenshots, to be exact.

Eagle-eyed Reddit user imx3110 has noticed that in one of the screenshots for Pixel Launcher, one that showcases Google's persistent search bar, displays 5 searches that form the name of Astley's infamous single.

Thanks, Google! Now we have no choice but to look for this “Easter egg” in all your new products!

The screenshot in question

via Reddit

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11 Comments

1. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Google has nothing better to do with their time other than cheap laugh like this.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 9:08 AM 0

2. tuminatr

Posts: 1121; Member since: Feb 23, 2009

lol nope

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 9:09 AM 0

4. Podrick

Posts: 1285; Member since: Aug 19, 2015

No sense of humor as usual.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 9:59 AM 8

8. tedkord

Posts: 17320; Member since: Jun 17, 2009

It's difficult to have one through all the pain, jealousy and hatred.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 12:16 PM 1

11. Mxyzptlk unregistered

Still butthurt about the Note 7 I see.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 5:07 PM 0

10. Mxyzptlk unregistered

The joke wasn't funny.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 5:06 PM 0

5. maple_mak

Posts: 953; Member since: Dec 18, 2013

Did you butthurt, Mr. Bias?

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 10:14 AM 1

6. tedkord

They're just killing time waiting for the competition to catch up a bit.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 11:08 AM 1

7. omnitech

Posts: 1131; Member since: Sep 28, 2016

It's training and fun at the time. Win win. Google employee gets coding Easter egg experience and gets the needed down time to clear his head.

posted on Mar 20, 2017, 11:42 AM 0

3. RajRicardo

Posts: 490; Member since: Feb 28, 2014

I flashed Pixel Experience + LineageOS on my OnePlus. It's buttery smooth and I saved $750 plus I get to use all the pixel apps and Google Assistant. Who's Laughing Now? LOL!!!