With Star Wars apps, Google lets users awaken their force

Google is allowing users to embrace their inner Jedi or Sith, jumping on the Star Wars bandwagon before the new sequel opens next month.

The company has introduced a tool that lets users customize the appearance of their Google apps ahead of the Dec. 18 release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Depending on whether the user chooses the dark side or the light side of the force, Google Maps comes with a X-wing or a TIE fighter as a cursor, while YouTube’s progress bar is a lightsaber. More changes will come ahead of opening night, said Clay Bavor, head of Google’s product management, in a blog post.

Google is joining companies such as toymakers and game developers seeking to benefit from what is set to be the year’s biggest debut. The seventh installment of the “Star Wars” saga and the first since Walt Disney Co. acquired franchise owner Lucasfilm Ltd. in 2012 could be the all-time U.S. box office champ with $762 million in ticket sales, topping “Avatar,” according to an estimate by film researcher Boxoffice.com.

In seizing on one of the hottest popular culture events of the year, Google is also trying to one-up Apple in their competition to win over users with an all-encompassing list of features. It’s also an effort by Google to incorporate more mobile apps into the desktop experience. Some of the Star Wars apps will be visible only on desktop devices, such as Chrome, Gmail and YouTube, according to The Verge.

“We’ve got more coming between now and opening night — the Millennium Falcon in all its (virtual reality) glory included, so stay tuned,” Bavor said. ”And we’ve hidden a few Easter eggs too. So awaken the Force within and be on the lookout for things from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.”

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 12:34 PM with the headline "With Star Wars apps, Google lets users awaken their force."