Once again thanks to Microsoft and Google, everyone has a front row sit to watch Santa going around the world this December 24th. Like in previous years, Microsoft is working with NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) to deliver an advanced Santa Tracker experience.
NORAD Track Santa
While the NORAD website hasn’t changed a lot since last year, Microsoft has added a number of features, especially, for those running Windows 10. Using Microsoft Edge, children around the world will be able to access a holiday-themed coloring book that they can color using the web browser drawing capability, as known as web notes. The company says: “The Microsoft Edge experience is new to the site, and gives kids opportunities to color in a maze, Christmas tree, presents, a wreath, reindeer, bells, snowflakes, snowmen and a sleigh.” Whether you’re in your phone or computer, Cortana will be providing important information about Santa’s current location during his trip. Of course, the same Cortana functionality will work with any Windows 10 devices, and iPhone or Android phones through the Cortana app.
The Maps app for Windows 10 gets updated to remind parents to search for Santa’s coordinates, auto-suggesting “Where is Santa” in the search history.
“The NORAD Tracks Santa apps for iOS, Android and Windows 10 are also available, and they have all the same features and functionality as the Web experience, including the tracking starting Christmas Eve.” The Maps app powered by Bing Maps will also be providing specific links to learn more about how different countries celebrate this time of year. “Once Santa’s journey starts on Dec. 24, kids will see hundreds of points on the home page globe that give them more details about many more cities.” You can visit the NORAD official website at http://www.noradsanta.org/.
Google Track Santa
Google as in previous years is also offering its own Santa tracker. Google Santa Tracker can be accessed through its official web page at https://santatracker.google.com/, but there is also an app you can install on any Android device. The company says: “Santa and the elves’ are back for 2015 with a new game, a redesigned village, updates for Android Wear and you can follow Santa’s journey on Android TV.” Similar to NORAD, Google Santa Tracker offers similar features to track Santa with Google Maps technology, a countdown to Christmas, and Santa’s Village features a hub with a lot of activities for children, including games, coloring magazine, educational and fun Holiday-themed YouTube videos, and a map with information on how different countries celebrate the Holiday.
Keep in mind that while the Google Santa Tracker app is only available for Android devices, anyone can track Santa and get access to all the activities using any modern web browser on Windows, iOS, and Android devices at https://santatracker.google.com/.
Both Santa tracking systems can be accessed before the big day, but access to see Santa’s location won’t be available until December 24th.
Download NORAD Santa Tracker from Windows Store (desktop) Download NORAD Santa Tracker from Windows Store (mobile) Download NORAD Santa Tracker from iTunes Download NORAD Santa Tracker from Google Play Download Google Santa Tracker from Google Play
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