In 2004, Google made waves in the tech world with the launch of Gmail, a revolutionary email service that quickly gained popularity. The announcement of Gmail on April Fools’ Day initially led many to believe it was just another one of Google’s famous pranks. However, the features of Gmail, including increased storage space and Google’s innovative search technology, soon proved that it was no joke.
Marissa Mayer, a former Google executive, played a key role in the development of Gmail, emphasizing the importance of storage, search capabilities, and speed. At the time of its launch, Google had limited capacity to support new Gmail users, leading to a surge in interest and invitations to open accounts selling for as much as $250 on eBay.
To meet the growing demand, Google expanded its data centers and finally opened up Gmail to the public in 2007. However, Google’s sense of humor was still very much alive, as the company announced a fake service called “Gmail Paper” on April Fool’s Day in 2007. This joke service supposedly allowed users to receive printed copies of their emails in the mail, much to the amusement of many.
Despite the initial skepticism and limited availability, Gmail quickly became a household name and a dominant force in the world of email services. Its innovative features and user-friendly interface set it apart from the competition, solidifying its place as one of Google’s most successful products.
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