Evolution of an Easter Egg
Editor’s Note: Mateo leads our Android development team. Mateo is also our resident comedian. Naturally then, Mateo enjoys himself a good Easter Egg. Below are details of a few he’s laid.
Version 2.0
If you have a GPS lock and you long-click on the Record button, two things happen: the phone vibrates S-T-R-A-V-A in morse code, and a toast with some random encouragement displays.
Verdict: Way too abstract, how would anybody stumble across this? I suspect only those who read the source code. Also, I’m not sure anyone can detect vibrating morse code. I did code this on my first day at Strava…
Version 2.1
I made some minor tweaks: toast layout now semi-transparent, and I added some activity specific text (since we released a separate Run app in 2.1).
Verdict: No-op
Version 2.2
There was an limited version of social hidden in this release. If you name an activity “Talking Rain” you’re presented with the option of enabling Social Preview (Talking Rain is an inside Strava joke – we used to drink this stuff like water, which it is: more expensive Costco water).
Verdict: Too close to our actual product road map – not sure if PM team would be pleased. I don’t think anyone discovered this – who names a ride Talking Rain?
Version 3.0
I removed both of the above Easter Eggs to make room for something new. Unfortunately with 3.0 release and the holidays, all of my idle time was consumed.
Verdict: All work, no fun.
Version 3.1
If you’re premium and you name an activity “Talking Rain” you may quick Kudo any activity by long-clicking on it from the Feed. This will likely become a real feature once we make some tweaks on the back-end.
Verdict: A small, non-offensive egg.
