A Google A Day, announced Monday on Google's blog, is a puzzle that asks crossword-style questions in a way that defies a simple Google search. For instance, one question asks, “Two future presidents signed me. Two didn’t because they were abroad. Despite my importance, modern viewers seem to think I have a glaring spelling error. What is it?” The cryptic nature of the questions addresses the fact that it's laughably easy to cheat on straight-ahead trivia games thanks to the ubiquity of Google via PCs and mobile devices.
In addition to appearing on A Google A Day, the questions will appear weekdays above the crossword in The New York Times. The next day, the newspaper will run the answers. The puzzle will begin running in The Times Tuesday.
To prevent spoilers, Google is also introducing a special version of Google that excludes real-time updates and other aids to solving the puzzle.
The effort is the latest brand extension for Google, which, through its various Google Doodles and initiatives like its wedding planning site, has sought to become more ingrained with consumers’ lifestyles while maintaining a sense of fun.