Google takes April Fool's Day very seriously. Each year they introduce a new prank, and some years they introduce a few non-pranks, like Gmail. This year, it's "Virgle," an imaginary joint venture with Virgin founder Richard Branson to make a permanent colony on Mars.

They've even released a fake press release, claiming that "... ensuring the survival of the human race by helping it colonize a new planet is both a moral good in and of itself and also the most likely method of ensuring the survival of our best – okay, fine, only -- base of web search volume and advertising inventory.”

It would be even funnier with a reciprocal fake press release from Virgin, but so far, I'm not seeing one. Wait, here it is! Meanwhile, I'll fill out my application to colonize Mars.

Update: It looks like there's another joke up today. You can now send your Gmail back in time with Gmail Custom Time. Brilliant! I'm going to go write all my late emails now.

• Google April Fool's Day Jokes and Pranks
• What's So Great About Gmail?