Google always has good April Fools jokes and this year is no exception....
More info here. Classic. Who needs a Web Office after all...
But wait there's more, Google has also 'launched' Project teaspoon. A.K.A. TiSP, which stands for "Toilet Internet Service Provider". It's described:
"Introducing Google TiSP (BETA), our new FREE in-home wireless broadband service. Sign up today and we'll send you your TiSP self-installation kit, which includes setup guide, fiber-optic cable, spindle, wireless router and installation CD."
Thanks Nitin for the tip on TiSP and Emre for Gmail Paper..
It's going to be a loooong day :-)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Google Launches Gmail Paper & In-Home Wireless Broadband Service.
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Et oui, Google aussi participe aux blagues du 1er avril avec deux nouveaux services Gmail Paper et Google TiSP. Gmail Paper se présente comme une nouvelle fonctionnalité dans Gmail. Cela vous permet de demander à Google d'imprimer vos mail et de Read More
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Hey, April fool from Google!
Posted by: vhanded | April 1, 2007 12:41 AMAlthough it is obvious... ->
Posted by: RBA | April 1, 2007 1:13 AMhttp://mail.google.com/mail/help/paper/policies.html
I love the press release "Dark porcelain" project.
Posted by: Mark Gardner | April 1, 2007 4:08 AMIf you need help see google groups: http://groups.google.com/group/google-tisp/
From the FAQ:
It's good for you. Your FREE TiSP service includes a Google Toolbar-based analysis of your dietary habits and genetic predispositions, along with recommendations for healthier living.
Gmail was itself a spoof on April Fools. I remember that April Fools and thought to myself... well, that could be possible, and I'd love to see Google try an email service of their own...why couldn't they after so many had already achieved it? Even Bill Gates was quoted saying something like "Google are in their Honeymoon phase, but the longest Honeymoon I have ever seen".
An insider friend informed me that Google's 2008 Arpil Fools will be a Beta version of Google TV - a free 24 hour trial of DirectTV service over the Web powered by SlingMedia using a Google-skinned version of SlingPlayer. The most revolutionary part of it all is that DirectTV programs and commercials will be analyzed by Google servers (human labor, I believe) in real-time where within 10 to 15 seconds a sidebar will appear in the SlingPlayer with Google Sponsored Listings (Adwords) that are related to the TV commercials and programs being watched. After Google TV's 24hr ticking clock expires (only when running), users will be given the option to purchase DirectTV programming packages at much lower prices than traditional DirectTV. They will be able to choose any time zone they want by Zip Code or US region. They'll even be given the option to add additional services, like TiVo, with 80GB to 200GB DVR Recorders for $8-15 a month to record their favorite TV programming. These services will all be handled in-house by Google Operations. Each subscriber will have their own DirectTV box connected to a Slingbox (and optional TiVo DVR box) all inside a Google facility, connected to Google's lighting-speed servers.
This will initially be a partnership that involves Google, DirectTV, SlingMedia, and TiVo. But eventually other companies will get involved and additional services will be added to Google TV like Netflix and Blockbuster, and DirectTV competitors like Dish Network, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable. Google will make most of its profits from the Adwords sidebar shown in real-time that provide Sponsored Listings related to the TV programs and commercials being watched by the user. DirectTV will obviously profit from increased user subscriptions and also benefit from the lower costs of setting up large satellites in Google facilities (instead of millions of households). SlingMedia will benefit from the high volume of industrial bare-bones slingboxes sold and software licensed to Google (of course at cheaper, volume pricing). TiVo and it's partners will also benefit from subscriptions and DVR recorder sales. All will benefit from the free press buzzing around this new undertaking. Surprisingly, Yahoo! Video and MSN Video along with YouTube and Google Video will also get added to the Beta software as video sharing services between users. Itunes, Napster, and other music services may also be in the mix as sidebar options whenever a song is played in a TV commercial or program. Google TV will integrate television and Internet services in a revolutionary way. But all in all, it will essentially be offering a remote Slingbox service online, although it will not look that way to its users. Ironically, Google TV's logo will have a "powered by SlingMedia" logo below it. But SlingMedia will be ready to handle the demands of enhanced video compression and streaming, due to its years of research and development on the Slingbox. Google TV will quickly expand to provide live television programming from other countries by setting up Google TV facilities in Europe and Asia. Subscribers will initially consist of techies, business travelers, and American ex-pats who want access to live US television programming. But not surprisingly, the highest number of subscribers will come from Asian countries like as India and China. In the long term, more Americans will also transition to television online as they move frequently to new residences. Though Google TV will start out as an April Fools spoof, it's actual Beta launch may be in the very near future.
Posted by: DVD Simple | April 1, 2007 5:44 AMbastards!!!!!they should be sued for emotional distress!!!!
Posted by: nadia | April 1, 2007 5:54 AMlol... this is a good one..
had me fooled and i looked over 30 mins to find it....
Posted by: Abhay | April 1, 2007 8:13 AMgood one Google!! Cheers....
At first I thought this might explain Google's recent purchases of mobile dark fiber. Afterall, they would need the fiber to support all the bandwidth for the high speed internet connection they are offering. But then I looked at the date!
Karl,
Posted by: Karl | April 1, 2007 3:09 PMHigh Speed Internet Access and Broadband Provider
who knew google had such a kick-ass sense of humor????
Posted by: patty belston | April 2, 2007 1:33 AMLOVED IT!!!
Yes they sure have fooled me REALLY GOOD! Once it cames out and introduced the Gmail Paper, I thought this is very cool features that Gmail only has to offer than all other free web-based email such as Yahoo! or Hotmail. I immediately look for that "Gmail Paper" features right away and took all day to make me think... is my browser acting up because the features didnt show up?? or must be something wrong with Gmail (glitch). Next thing, I decided to search on Yahoo! Search to find Gmail Paper information and turned out it was April's Fool! Very good one, Google! Very friggin good one! Class Action lawsuit, anyone?
Posted by: Josh Childress | April 2, 2007 2:48 AMI didn'g give it a much thought, though I was little skeptical when they said that they would be printing picture attachments in glossy paper and there is no limit to it. Good one.. I like it.
Posted by: TanZ | April 2, 2007 4:12 PMMay be a joke for the American's but its a great business model for remote villages of developing countries. Guess what.. There is actually a service similar to gmail-paper in use by remote villages in India.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/113/next-world-class.html
Posted by: Ravi | April 4, 2007 11:31 AMSeriously, seriously, I was totally fooled by google this morning when I went to Gmail's page to check my mail.
I wonder how many of you were fooled by Google about this paper mail feature - they can print your emails/attachments unlimitedly for free and ship to you for free too! I went into my gmail account and was desperately looking for that so-called "paper mail" button.. I didn't find it of course, and yet it still didn't ring the bell. I continued to search in the help section and saw a whole bunch of fools like me wondering where the damn button was, although I still hadn't got it until someone said it outloud and clear "happy april fool's day!" Darn it!
Well, although google's print-for-free service is just a joke, I do want to recommend a website that can truly turn your softcopy into hardcopy and mail for free. Definitely not a joke.
http://www.freepostit.com/pages/1/index.htm
Posted by: Emily | April 10, 2007 11:28 AMman google is AWESOME
Posted by: monkeyluffy | April 10, 2007 11:23 PMman google is AWESOME
Posted by: monkeyluffy | April 10, 2007 11:23 PM