“We’ve been testing Gmail Motion with Googlers over the last few months and have been really excited about the feedback we’ve been hearing,” says McDonald. “We’ve also done some internal tests to measure productivity improvements and found an average 14% increase in email composition speed and 12% reduction in average time in inbox. With Gmail Motion, Googlers were able to get more done and get in and out of their inboxes more quickly.”

Here are Google’s hard numbers on Gmail Motion:

Google even goes so far as to say that you need the latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox 3.5+ and a built-in webcam to use Gmail Motion. It doesn’t even work with Internet Explorer apparently.

Google puts a lot of time and thought into its April Fools jokes. While some may just post a funny article or something, this company goes all out. They make product pages, opt-in mechanisms, statistical graphs, diagrams, videos, and all.

For Gmail Motion in particular, Google has even gone so far as to draft up a printable motion guide (pdf) for Gmail actions and common phrases.

Then theres’ Google Docs Motion.

Google has always been a bit quirky, and some think the upcoming CEO change back to co-founder Larry Page will help preserve that.

“To use Gmail Motion, you’ll need a computer with a built-in webcam,” explains Gmail Product Manager Paul McDonald. “Once you enable Gmail Motion from the Settings page, Gmail will enable your webcam when you sign in and automatically recognize any one of the detected movements via a spatial tracking algorithm. We designed the movements to be easy and intuitive to perform and consulted with top experts in kinestetics and body movement in devising them.”

The video at the top explains how our bodies haven’t evolved to sit and go through the motions of regular email reading. Here’s what an expert has to say about it:

Google Docs Motion is similar. You can opt-in to try Gmail Motion here.

Also from Google:

Blimp Ads

Celebrating 100 Years of YouTube

Improving finger dexterity for faster web browsing with Chrome

Michael Arrington at TechCrunch posted his own Google-related April Fools joke called, “Google Inadvertently Classifies Google Places As A ‘Content Farm’ And Removes From Search Index.” Here’s a choice excerpt from that:

The Google webspam team has made extraordinary efforts to explain that they are completely independent of other parts of Google. The fact that most content farms generate the large majority of their revenue from Google Adsense ads placed around their content has been a problem for Google. Cutts has been unequivocal on Google’s policy: “Google absolutely takes action on sites that violate our quality guidelines regardless of whether they have ads powered by Google” he said back in January on the official Google blog.

That has angered Google revenue chiefNikesh Arora, who has reportedly lashed out at the webspam team privately at various sales events for targeting some of Google’s most valuable partners. Tellingly, Arora recently returned back from a two week jaunt in the Caribbean with Demand Media CEORichard Rosenblatt, reported TMZ, where the two spent time on Rosenblatt’s new $40 million megayacht pictured left and called (I’m not kidding), The Adsense. Demand Media, worth around $2 billion, generates approximately 100% of its revenues from low quality content wrapped in Google Adsense ads…

Here are a couple tweets from Rosenblatt:

Another from Alex Jones, listed on Demand Media’s “Demanders” Twitter list:

And one from Matt Cutts:

And Nikesh Arora:

5. The FX Mature (The Aurors) Harry Potter TV Show

Site: IGN.com

Why it’s on the list: While the video is obviously fake, IGN should be commended for really going the extra yard to provide some April Fools shenanigans. For the past couple of years, IGN has released video based pranks and “The Aurors” ranks as one of their best. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll especially appreciate it.

4. SlashTweaks is the Mad Libs of the Internet

Site: Slashdot

Why it’s on the list: The most obvious online April Fools prank is to simply make up a story and publish it for people to either be fooled by or call out. Slashdot deserves a nod for letting the April 1st proceedings be interactive. Most of the stories presented on Slashdot today have a few keywords which allow users to change them to their liking. Although this will only be available today, it certainly provides an interesting idea which might work in some capacity.

3. Toshiba’s 3D Monocle

Site: Toshiba.com

Why it’s on the list: Like IGN’s prank, Toshiba really stepped up and put some dedication into their idea by creating a video. Unlike IGN, this isn’t a content provider but an electronics company who relies on innovation to sell products. Which is what makes their idea so great; they integrated the fake tech directly into their site.

They created a legitimate looking landing page which has this “Important Consumer Notice” – Refrain from using two Toshiba Spectacle 3D devices simultaneously in each eye. Doing so may cause each device to render the corresponding 3D image in 3D yet again, resulting in an uncomfortable and infinite loop.

2. The Gmail Motion Beta

Why it’s on the list: Google took all the ideas used in the three listed, besides SlashTweaks, and forged them into a super prank. They didn’t just create a video, they made three videos for Google Motion. Like Toshiba, Google integrated the prank link directly into one of their most used platforms, Gmail.

They didn’t stop there, Google utilized fake science to explain the reasoning behind Google Motion. I also have to give the idea its due because it’s the only prank to fake me out. In my defense, I didn’t read anything on the page, and went straight to the download link. Stupid call to action buttons.

1. Facebook Partners With Zynga to Launch ‘Relationships’

Site: Techcrunch

Why it’s on the list: This might be a controversial pick, because I imagine many people would select Google Motion over this TechCrunch story. Hear me out. One of the key ingredients to pulling off a successful April Fools prank is plausibility. Of all the pranks I’ve seen on the internet today, this is one which could potentially happen on some level in the future.

Although it has shades of being possible, TechCrunch went a bit too far which was probably on purpose so people really didn’t get in a stir over the fake news. They announced that Facebook and Zynga would be partnering up for a ‘Relationships’ product. The idea is pretty interesting. Users would be able to track people they are potentially interested in dating, and could engage in social games to help break the ice and get to know one another.

The first couple of paragraphs in the story really draw readers into something which might be believable. However, the deeper you read, the more ridiculous the features sound. For instance, the picture I posted above would allow users to post what base they got to with a date. I won’t spoil some of the other jokes, but needless to say it becomes even more extreme the further you read on.

Due to the drawing in of readers, and providing an article title which sounds believable, TechCrunch gets the award for best April Fools joke in 2011.

Honorable Mention: GoDaddy.com CEO defends his elephant killing shenani…oh wait, that really happened.

What April Fools jokes have you seen that deserve recognition for their dedication, plausibility, and final punch line?

First, the most noticeable one: Google has changed its name to Topeka, in honor of Topeka, Kansas recently announcing it would change its name to Google, to get in on Google’s experimental ultra-high-speed broadband project.

"We didn’t reach this decision lightly; after all, we had a fair amount of brand equity tied up in our old name," says Topeka CEO Eric Schmidt. "But the more we surfed around (the former) Topeka’s municipal website, the more kinship we felt with this fine city at the edge of the Great Plains."

He also says the initiative "will have no bearing on which municipalities are chosen to participate" in the broadband project.

Google announced a new mobile search feature called, "Where am I?". Go to Google.com on your phone and search "where am I" it will tell you your location. When I checked, I was in Mordor, Middle Earth.

"Note that in this alpha release, we are finding that our results can be slightly off," says Google software engineer John Eric Hoffman. "However, accuracy should improve with greater usage. So if at first the answer is not what you’d expect, please continue to try it over the next couple of days and ask your friends to do the same."

Google launched Google Romance, which let’s you "pin all your romantic hopes on Google." 

"When you think about it, love is just another search problem. And we’ve thought about it. A lot," the company says. It offers users the following: uploading your profile, meeting your soulmate, contextual pre-date advertising, meeting for drinks, the main course, unexpected results, contextual dating advice, and contextual courtship.

Google Voice introduced standard voicemail mode with features like:

- Automatic voicemail deletion
- Numeric keypad access
- Beeper interoperability
- Message maximums
- Numeric page

Google Wave introduced Google Wave wave notifications, which features a human coming up to you and waving to you when you have a new wave.

YouTube introduced TEXTp, a way to watch YouTube videos in text-only mode, to save YouTube bandwidth and money.

Google announced you can now upload and store anything in the cloud with Google Docs. "For example, do you ever wish you could CTRL+F your house keys or your TV remote? Store your keys, remotes, rail passes, and other objects you commonly lose with Google Docs, and you’ll never have to worry about finding them again," explains Google Docs Product Marketing Manager Peter Harbison. "Having trouble moving your piano from New York to California? Upload it from your home in New York, then download it once you’re in California. Change your mind and want to share it with your friend in England instead? No problem. With one click you can have your piano delivered to anyone you choose, anywhere in the world."

Google Books announced that it is offering books in 3D:

In the UK, Google has launched a new animal translation app for Android: 

Gmail experienced a vowel outage. Chrome got a new extension:

Taking an earful of inspiration from the HTML5 audio tag, we’ve spent the past few months deep in psychoacoustic models, the Whittaker-Nyquist-Kotelnikov-Shannon sampling theorem, Franssen effects, Shepard-Risset Tones, and 11.1 surround sound research to build a cutting-edge audio-driven user interface for our users, available through a new Chrome extension. With this extension, Chrome will provide audio feedback as you browse to web pages and interact with the browser.

Google no doubt has various other pranks in place in different countries, and possibly others that will be uncovered throughout the day. It’s clear that they’re having a good time with this, and it’s still pretty early in the day. In Mountain View, it’s really early.

Update: Google’s Picasa announced LifeSize photos, Google physicists have discovered an extra dimension in Street View, and the Google Analtyics team is saying that there is only one metric that matters in analytics.

Update 2 : AdSense is now offering Wingdings as a font choice.

What’s your favorite Google April Fools prank? How would you compare these to previous years? Share your thoughts.

In the words of Mr. Bieber himself, “I’ve taken over Funny or Die. It’s mine – I bought it. Anything that’s not Bieber, Dies.” Check out the video below for an introduction from the new site owner (it sort of reminds me of Neil Patrick Harris’ role in Harold and Kumar go to White Castle – I guess it’s just the outlandish dialouge)

To bring the Bieberness into full effect, the site now has a totally Biebed out background featuring his trademark hair as well as several classic viral videos with Justin assuming the starring role…

Bieber After the Dentist (Original Video: David After the Dentist)

Dramatic Bieber (Original Video: Dramatic Chipmunk)

So, what do you think of Bieber or Die? Tell us.

(Before we get comments, we’re aware this is an April Fools Joke)

Obviously, this is Google’s attempt at April Fool’s humor, but boy have they put a lot into it. What would at first glance appear to be a simple joke is actually quite an elaborate one with different Google company blogs contributing, as well as CADIE’s own blog, and YouTube channel. CADIE has even taken over Google on Twitter.

On Google Maps, you can learn about CATIE’s favorite places:

According to Google Mobile, CADIE’s technology has even helped create Google Brain Search for mobile, which helps users recall:

- the name of that guy across the room
- where you put your car key, and…
- why you started dating this woman in the first place

It’s of course supported by the iPhone, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry.

CADIE has a thing for pandas and can be found throughout the Google universe. There is no telling where else CADIE will pop up throughout the rest of the day.

Conficker, also known as Downup, Downadup and Kido, is a computer worm that surfaced in October 2008 and targets the Microsoft Windows operating system. The worm exploits a previously patched vulnerability in the Windows Server service used by Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 Beta, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta. The worm has been unusually difficult for network operators and law enforcement to counter because of its combined use of advanced malware techniques.

CNET prvoides a round-up of Conficker coverage, saying that the virus is expected to hit the web on April 1st, but "experts disagree on how extensive the damage could be."

According to Nielsen, in the last week, buzz has grown so much that it recently eclipsed blogosphere March Madness talk:

Back in February, Microsoft offered a $250,000 reward for info leading to the arrest of the Conficker’s culprits. According to Nielsen, since then, "terms like ‘virus removal’ and ‘virus protection’ have spiked during the work week."

Is the whole thing an elaborate April Fool’s day joke? It doesn’t look that way. "It’s definitely serious," says Symantec’s Kevin Haley (via Boston Herald). A Google search for "conficker" brings back about 3,510,000 results.

Virgle’s goal is simple: the establishment of a permanent human settlement on Mars. Larry Page, Sergey Brin and I feel strongly that contemporary technology is sufficiently advanced to make such an effort both successful and economical, and that it’s high time that humanity moved beyond Earth and began our great, long journey to explore the stars and establish our first lasting foothold on another world.

They even offer a application to become a Virgle pioneer:

Apply to be Virgle Pioneer

Sergey and Larry even pitch the idea on YouTube video here :

They have even started a Google Groups thread on the idea:

Google Groups: Project Virgle

Lastly they layout the 100 year plan here:

The Adventure of Many Lifetimes: The 100 Year Plan

So the question is how many of us will bite? Not me!

Comments

Matt Cutts: The Hack That Wasn’t

I have to admit; I bought it hook, line and sinker. The timing of it seemed a little suspicious, but who’s to say that hackers weren’t trying to play a little April Fools prank of their own? It never crossed my mind that Matt would actually be behind the whole charade. The 302 redirects were wickedly masterful. Imagine what Matt could do if he focused all that energy on fighting spam instead of taking advantage of naïve journalists such as myself.

3D “Googles”: Don’t Hold Your Breath

As much as the idea of exploring the “metaverse” seemed oh so appealing, sniffing this one out as a hoax wasn’t all that difficult. Still, it was a valiant attempt at chicanery by the folks at Pandia, and for that I must give them props. Ian McKellan as the virtual librarian, though? Come on guys, clearly you should’ve chosen someone with more street cred and broader appeal – someone like our next candidate.

Ask Kevin: I Actually Hoped It Was True

It was brilliant. It was witty. It had that wonderful mélange of outlandishness and subtle hope that comprises the best of all April Fools endeavors. It’s the news item that you’re completely sure has no merit, but at the same time wish was true for the sheer comedic value it would represent to the entirety of the human race. And let’s be serious, would you rather be titled CEO of Ask or President of Keeping It Real?

It’s not even a contest.

The videos include, according to the Coding 4 Fun blog:

• The pink princess flames painted onto Dee Dee Walsh’s car
• How John Montgomery ended up working in a human-sized habitrail
• Why Steve Ballmer doesn’t like bouncy balls
• The fate of the Blibbet
• Why all new employees are sent to Building 7
• Grand Theft Go-Cart

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Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.

Visit the InsideGoogle blog.