Google Launches Santa Tracker Website, Android App, Chrome Extension

Google on December 1 launched its Santa Tracker that is an interactive website including a number of games, coding courses, and more. The website also works as a countdown until Christmas Eve (December 24).

"Starting today, the elves are back on the clock in the North Pole-and throughout the month of December, you can join the elves as they unlock a new project or game each day in preparation for Santa's annual journey around the world," announced Sandy Russell, Santa Launch Strategist in Google's blog.

The website leads users to Santa's Village, which features number of games including skydiving, reindeer racing alongside some interactive animations. The website also lets users gain knowledge on different holiday traditions and gives them Javascript courses.

Google has also launched a dedicated Santa Tracker app for Android and a Chrome browser extension, which will offer users 'surprises' throughout the month. The Google Santa Tracker app, like the Web interface, shows a countdown timer until the eve of Christmas, along with Santa's scheduled travelling path worldwide and his exact location at the moment. It also features a number of games and comes with Android Wear integration.

Microsoft last year, teamed with North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) to create a Santa Tracker powered by the organization's global radar system and technology such as Bing Maps and Windows software.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website currently also features a countdown timer along with number of options to view movies, music and play games. Notably, the Santa program began in 1955 when a typo in a local newspaper advertisement had children calling the hotline of NORAD's predecessor, asking to talk to Santa.

Written with agency inputs.