Skip to main content

Starting on Wednesday, Google wants to help you celebrate the Lunar New Year

google lunar new year 2017 width 1000
Image used with permission by copyright holder
New Year celebrations may be over for the west and other followers of the Gregorian calendar, but for billions of others on the other side of the world, the party has yet to begin. Here to help is Google, which created a new microsite in honor of the Year of the Rooster. “With global interest in the Lunar Calendar growing every year, we wanted to bring people together by celebrating six Lunar New Year traditions from around the world at https://g.co/lunarnewyear over the next few weeks,” Google wrote in a blog post.

From Wednesday to Monday, Google will be unlocking one new page a day to help you prepare for the end of the Year of the Monkey, and the beginning of the Year of the Rooster. On Wednesday, you’re asked to “Dust the house for a fresh new beginning,” and clicking on the “Play now” button takes you to a fun little video of, what else, a rooster cleaning a house.

Over the course of the next few days, however, you will be able to “pick out your favorite reunion dishes and learn the meaning behind each one, work together with your friends to perform a digital dragon dance, draw your own New Year couplets to share with loved ones, cast a “Lo Hei” blessing by virtually shredding food (far less messy), and finally launch your own sky lantern high into cyberspace to bring the Lunar New Year celebrations to a close.” You can also share each day’s lesson on social media, be it Twitter, Facebook, or Google Plus.

Google is staying relatively tight-lipped about what else we have to look forward to before the Lunar New Year is upon us, as they “don’t want to ruin the surprise.” But if you’re looking for another New Year to celebrate, this may be your strategy.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: Everything you need to know
Pixel 3 and 3 XL are now out of support

Since their release in October 2018, the Google Pixel 3 and the Google Pixel 3 XL offered some significant upgrades over their predecessors, while still clearly belonging to the Pixel family. Read our full reviews of the Google Pixel 3 XL and Pixel 3 for all the details.

On top of the usual processor upgrade, both Pixels sport a dual-lens, front-facing camera designed to elevate your selfie game to the next level, some additional software smarts to get the best from the single-lens main camera, and support for Qi wireless charging. Google's design has also been refined compared to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Here's everything you need to know about the Pixel 3 and 3 XL and their most recent update now that they've reached the end of their life cycle.
Updates
The Pixel 3 and 3 XL have reached their end of life
As Google promised, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL received three years of software and security updates, taking them from Android 9 through Android 12. Google confirmed to Digital Trends that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL received their last security update in October 2021. As witg the Pixel and Pixel 2, there will be one more "wrap up" update in the first quarter of 2022.
Google Pixel 3

Read more
Google Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 5: Should you upgrade?
The back of the Pixel 6 in Seafoam color.

The Google Pixel 6 has been revealed at the Pixel Fall Launch, along with its larger sibling, the Pixel 6 Pro. These new phones debut an entirely new Google-made processor, the Google Tensor, which is claimed to supercharge the A.I. capabilities of the phone, as well as sport a unique design featuring the new "camera bar" visor-shaped module on the back of the phone. The Pixel 6 is the cheaper of the two, costing just $599, and despite losing the 120Hz display and third camera lens of the Pixel 6 Pro, it looks set to be a serious bargain.

Pixel-heads are likely salivating at the chance to grab the new Google phone, but what if you're already using a Pixel 5? Is it worth upgrading from last year's Pixel to this year's? The Pixel 5 is still a strong contender this year, so is the Pixel 6 good enough to justify the extra cost? We took a look to find out.
Specs

Read more
Google Pixel 6 vs. Apple iPhone 13: Is Google’s new flagship an Apple eater?
iPhone 13 display from the front.

If you're a smartphone lover, Silicon Valley is spoiling you more than a little this year. Not only has Apple recently released the all-around excellent iPhone 13, but Google has just released the Pixel 6, its best phone yet. We dive into how the Pixel 6 vs. iPhone 13 fare against each other in a head-to-head comparison. While Pixels have always been very good Androids, the sixth-generation model finds Google really pushing things to the limit, adding every feature it can to ensure it's capable of competing with the very best flagships. This means it comes with a powerful dual-lens camera array, a big 4,614mAh battery, a speedy Google-made processor, and a gorgeous AMOLED display that supports a 90Hz refresh rate.

Of course, as good as the Pixel 6 is, the iPhone 13 is certainly no slouch. Building on the already impressive specs of the iPhone 12, it adds a longer-life battery, improved camera sensors, the new A15 Bionic chip, and increased internal storage. In other words, it's certainly the best non-Pro (or non-Pro Max) iPhone you can buy today. Does this mean it's better overall than the Pixel 6? Read on to find out.
Specs

Read more