US – The latest promotion for the highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens comes from Google, who collaborated with Disney to give fans the choice to join either the light and dark sides of The Force.
In one of the more extensive promotion we’ver seen for the new movie, the “Awaken the Force Within” campaign customizes the design and some functions of Google apps and services based on your chosen side – from customized skins, light saber seeker bars on YouTube to alien languages on Google Translate.
It’s a tribute more than anything else, admits Clay Bavor, VP of Product Management, in Google’s official blog. “It probably isn’t a surprise that there are tons of Star Wars fans like me here at Google.”
“So when we first heard about Episode VII, we started thinking about what a Google tribute to these epic stories might look like: “Wouldn’t it be cool if there was some sort of Star Wars thingy in Search? The Millennium Falcon in Cardboard would be sweet! What if Google Translate could decipher galactic languages?”… and on, and on, and on. As this list of ideas grew, so too did the band of passionate engineers and product folks who wanted to build them.”
Below is a cheat list of transformations to look out for. Bavor assures that more Star Wars treats between now and opening night on December 18, including virtual reality on Google Cardboard and easter eggs from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. A separate blog post from Disney confirms that the VR component will launch around December 2 and included serialized content connected to the opening of the upcoming film.
Gmail
A light side (blue) or dark side (red) lightsaber will replace the standard loading bar.
Your Gmail inbox background will transform and display light or dark side images, reflecting your chosen side.
Maps
Set your course for the Hoth system… or maybe somewhere closer to home? Navigate to your destination with the help of a TIE fighter or X-wing.
Pegman, that little orange guy that tells you where you are in Google Maps, takes on a new form as a First Order Stormtrooper or Resistance Pilot.
Light or dark side icons will replace the standard Maps home & work (briefcase) icons.
Chrome Themes
Beautiful Chrome browser background imagery via a custom Chrome extension, greeting you with a new image every time you open a new tab. More gorgeous than a binary sunset on Tatooine.
YouTube
Light or dark side lightsaber transforms your seeker bar, loading bar and volume control.
Google Calendar
Not so long from now, in a galaxy not so far away…. Key movie milestones added to your calendar, tailored to your chosen side.
Chromecast Backdrop Collection
An epic collection of current and legacy Star Wars images for the biggest screen in your home when your Chromecast is on ambient mode.
Google Now
Now cards automatically appear in your feed with “this day in Star Wars history” fun facts.
Additional Experiences rolling out:
Waze
The best app for making the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs!
Drive with C-3PO as your audio guide to find R2-D2 and BB-8 (definitely the droids you’re looking for!). Be rewarded with Star Wars-themed road goodies.
Android Wear Watch Face
When it comes to what’s on your wrist, channel you inner-Lando and extend the Star Wars experience to your Android Wear watch. Featuring an interactive watch face, get the time, date, weather, and daily Star Wars factoids right on your wrist. (Requires the Star Wars app, available on Google Play)
Translate
Like having your very own protocol droid fluent in over (in the case of Google Translate) 90 forms of communication, a certain galactic language is now available so you can communicate across the galaxy.
