Google embraces the Force

Light or dark: Your Google apps will change in subtle ways to show your chosen side.

Google has partnered with Disney to let you choose a side to celebrate the upcoming seventh Star Wars film, The Force Awakens.

Join The Awaken the Force Within experience by visiting google.com/starwars and picking the dark or light side – the Google apps on your devices will then transform based on your chosen side.

Some transformations will be more obvious than others, so Google wants you to keep exploring if you don’t immediately see a change.

Here's The Awaken the Force Within experience by product:

Gmail
A light side (blue) or dark side (red) lightsaber will replace the standard loading bar. Your Gmail inbox background will also transform and display light or dark side images.

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 also replace the standard Maps home & work (briefcase) icons.

Chrome Themes
A custom Chrome extension will change the background image every time you open a new tab. More gorgeous than a binary sunset on Tatooine.

YouTube
Light or dark side lightsaber will transform your seeker bar, loading bar and volume control.

Google Calendar
Key movie milestones will be 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 will 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!).

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. 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.

Google says it’s just the beginning. Between now and the film release, it expects to launch additional experiences including virtual reality on Google Cardboard and a Chrome Experiment.