Reviews, News and Opinion with a Canadian Perspective

Promotions for the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens have been relentless. Google is joining in on the fun with new features that’ll be showing up in a wide variety of Google’s services. Not only do popular Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and Chrome get revamped, there will also be more easter eggs and other new features that will show up ahead of the movie’s premiere next month—including seeing the Millennium Falcon in all its virtual reality glory.

What can you expect from the “Awaken the Force Within” collaboration? Here’s a list of what Google and Disney have come up so far:

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.

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.