Google, Microsoft launch Santa trackers

Tracking Santa Clause once again has received its annual digital upgrade as Microsoft and NORAD begin tracking Santa along with Google, on its own just-launched Santa Tracker website.

Google’s site this year offers a customized maps interface that shows where Santa is now, how far away that is from you, how many gifts have been delivered so far, and more. It even offers a Christmas-themed game called “Code Boogie” that teaches kids the basics of programming, along with other several other activities.

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In the game, kids can make an elf dance by dragging and dropping basic dance moves like “point left” or “point right” onto the screen. The game offers two modes of play – one where kids match the teacher’s moves, and the other where kids can design their own dance by using elements like jump, split, hip shake and more to “program” their elf’s dance.

Also available via the Santa Tracker site are online games like “Present Drop;” an educational section to learn about Christmas traditions around the world; a tool that lets you translate then listen to holiday words and phrases like “Santa Claus,” “Season’s Greetings,” or even “Ho Ho Ho,” in other languages; a Google Maps interface that’s been customized to include a Santa icon; plus a whole village of other activities to explore.

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