NeoBytes :) is an occasional feature that takes a step back from the big headlines, to take a look at what else is happening in the vast, scary expanse of the tech world - often with a cynical eye, always with a dose of humour.
Microsoft has been pretty busy in recent weeks and months with its Scroogled campaign, trying to get consumers to take notice of Google"s "evil" practices - from privacy issues in Gmail to allegedly skewing search results in favour of advertisers. There are no signs of the campaign slowing either, with Microsoft recently unveiling a new range of Scroogled-branded clothing and accessories.
But, alas, there"s only so far a multinational corporation that answers to its shareholders - and industry regulators - can take things without finding itself in hot water. Luckily, the good people of CollegeHumor.com are not bound by such considerations, leaving them free to create a parody video that takes things to a whole new level.
"Here at Google," the voice-over begins, "we"ve been trying pretty hard to get you to use Google+. We"ve even gone so far as to make you sign up for Google+ to comment on YouTube. But a lot of you still don"t seem to want to play ball. That"s why we"re proud to introduce Google BlackMail."
The video goes on to explain that BlackMail is "a free new service that works like this: either you sign up for Google+, or we release all the private information we know about you!"
With some pretty colourful language thrown in, the video elaborates on some of the examples of your disturbing web searches that your friends and family will soon find out about if you don"t get into the Google+ groove - even if you"ve been using Chrome"s "Incognito" mode, which the vid says "was a straight-up lie".
The chances of Microsoft ever releasing such an ad are, of course, tragically remote. Still, at least you can don your Scroogled baseball cap, drink from your Scroogled mug, sit back, relax and enjoy the NSFW video: