Google Reader Easter Egg

Google Reader Easter Egg



Some software developers like to add a hidden feature or algorithm inside their program which will only be executed when certain sequences of keys been pressed or actions been performed. These informal tricks inside an application is called easter egg. For example, easter eggs in Firefox 3, Windows XP easter egg, Windows Vista easter eggs and notepad easter egges.

For users using Google Reader, a RSS Feed subscription reader service by Google, here’s an hidden easter egg surprise from Google. Just go to Google Reader, and then press the following keys in exact sequence, and surprise awaits you:

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A

After pressing the keyboard sequences, a ninja commando will appear on the left pane, with background turns to blue. To make the easter egg effect disappears, just repeat the keys sequence above once more time.


Google Reader Easter Egg





Well, if you feel that the keys pressing sequence is too familiar, you are right. It’s actually the cheat code for Contra, which is referenced in the song Anyone Else But You by the Moldy Peaches and featured on the Juno soundtrack.

Up up down down left right left right B A start
Just because we use cheats doesn’t mean we’re not smart
I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you

As such, the number of unread items will also be changed to 30, because after entering this cheat code in Contra video game, players or gamers will have 30 lives too.