(Game has ended) Get those spirit fingers ready, because we’re turning up the tempo for Google’s 26th Birthday with a limited-time Google Birthday game - Tap Tempo.^{^} Whether you’ve got zero musical talent or you’re a seasoned pro, it's all about finding your groove and getting into the zone.

How to play:
Tap along in time with the playful Google icons that fall down the screen, hit the colourful keys in time for maximum points. Accuracy is everything! One wrong tap and you might miss a beat. Try game modes like "Double Trouble" and "Triple the Fun" to score more. And keep an eye out for a hidden easter egg that can boost your score with extra bonus points 🤫.

How to win (Contest period has closed):
Be one of the top 50 eligible high scorers to win 15% off discount codes which could be used on top of our upcoming Google Store Birthday deals. Submit your high score and email address by September 22,2024 11:59pm AET. Winners will receive the discount codevia email by September 26, 2024 11:59 pm AET (non-winners will not be notified).^{^}. The game will still be available after the contest, so keep the competitive spirit going.

Get tapping, aim for the top, and don’t forget to challenge your friends to see who’s the ultimate rhythm master! Terms and conditions apply.

26 years ago, the world witnessed the birth of Google, a company that would go on to redefine how we access information and interact with technology. One of Google's core philosophies has been its commitment to open-source development. By providing developers with free and accessible tools, Google has fostered a global community of innovators, driving advancements in software, AI, and security. So, as much as we celebrate this milestone to acknowledge the incredible impact that Google’s innovations have had on the world, we’re celebrating you, the users of these products and services, for being on this journey with us.

2005: Cracking the code of open-source. Google Summer of Code (GSoC) kicked off with a bang, inviting university students to dive into the open-source world. It’s more than just coding—it’s about discovering new talent and giving the open-source community a big boost.

2008: A game-changer year with Android’s release as an open-source operating system, quickly rising to become one of the world’s most popular mobile OS.² Google also launched Chromium, the open-source project that laid the groundwork for the Chrome browser.

2015: The secret sauce behind Gemini AI- Google’s helpful AI assistant, is built on the foundation of TensorFlow, an open-source gem that ignited a lively community of developers and researchers, buzzing with shared knowledge, tutorials, and groundbreaking ideas…. Did you know your Spotify music recommendations were created by leveraging TensorFlow?

2016: A playground for developers. The first Google Pixel made waves in smartphone design, and with it came the Pixel Kernel. This open-source kernel allowed developers to tinker and innovate, benefiting the entire Android ecosystem.

It’s clear that Google’s bold move of championing open source resources has created a ripple effect in the tech world, supporting the tech community in developing better tools and solutions.

Fast forward to today, and Google’s 26 years of expertise have been packed into the making of the Google Pixel series, making it a powerhouse of everything you could ever need in a phone. Since Pixel’s debut in 2016 in an already crowded smartphone market, it’s been holding its own. With features that are more supercharged than a triple-shot espresso, lightning-fast performance, and Gemini, an AI experience that’s like having a mini tech genie in your pocket - all thanks to the open-source magic we mentioned earlier using TensorFlow.

Check out how Gemini AI has been trained to provide relatable responses that are very human and chatty- bringing a whole new meaning to Search²:

2016 – The Pixel is born: From day one, it was clear this device was special. The Pixel made its debut, bringing to the world a new Android experience.

2018 – The Pixel 3 Series Takes the Night: Suddenly, taking photos in the dark is a piece of cake—it’s like having superpowers with Night Sight! And to top it off, wireless charging makes its debut. 

2021 - Pixel 6’s bold move: The Pixel 6 series introduced the Google Tensor processor, making the camera sharper. With Tensor on board, even your selfie game gets a high-definition makeover!

2024 – The future unfolds: Meet the Pixel 9 series! The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold with its full immersive experience. We caught up with the Pixel design team to find out their vision behind the Google Pixel 9 Pro Phones.