Gadgets, Computer Tricks For April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day has gone high tech. Cnet.com has a few gadgets to help play tricks on your friends and family. Some items include: TV-B-Gone, USB missile launcher, "Annoy-A-Tron," Shocking Computer Mouse. Scott Stein from Cnet.com also explained these products and shared with us some computer pranks anyone can do.

TV-B-Gone, $19.99, tvbgone.com
• TV-B-Gone® remotes will work on all types of remotely controllable TVs, no matter what type of screen they use. It won't work on computer monitors, digital signs, or older TVs that are not remotely controllable.
• The maximum distance that TVs will respond is 20–50 feet (6–15 meters)
• Batteries included
• Two models: North American and Asian model and then a European model

USB missile launcher, $39.99, ThinkGeek.com
• Cubicle warfare: fires three foam darts
• USB Missile Launcher, Moves Left, Right, Up, Down, Pre-recorded Sound Effects,
• Shoots more than 10 Feet at an extremely fast rate, Includes CD, user guide, quick start guide and online support
• Built-in laser missile aiming system will allow you to aim and fire your weapons with close to pinpoint accuracy

“Annoy-A-Tron, $12.99, ThinkGeek.com
• A very small device that you can plant somewhere and it makes 6 different sounds at various intervals
• Sound options include: 15kHz (Teen Buzz tone- young folks can hear it, older folks cannot!), Cricket chirping, IM Doorbell, Grating Electronic noise, Typical Electronic Beep
• Takes one batter and will run for over 4 weeks on a single battery.
• Includes two magnets for great hiding ability

Shocking Computer Mouse, $12.99, MagicGeek.com
• Replace regular mouse with this lookalike that shocks your victim
• Harmless—does not injure

A few computer gags:
• Edit Microsoft Word settings. In addition to defaulting all text to “shimmer” or “ants marching” (Format > Font > Text Effects), you can customize the autocorrect options to mock your hapless victim. Perhaps seeing each usage of “I” or his name replaced with “Mr. Poopy Pants” would be good for a chuckle. (Tools > Autocorrect Options > check “Replace Text as You Type” > insert desired words in “Replace” and “With” boxes.)

• Make an optical mouse go haywire. This one’s easy but oh-so-rewarding: Just tape a small piece of tape (color the nonstick side with a Sharpie) over the laser sensor. Presto!

• Change the language settings. You can do this on Google, in Windows Vista, or in Microsoft Office, among other programs. Hilarity ensues as your coworker struggles to translate Turkish.