[appel]

I'll never understand companies making genuine product announcements on April 1st, the most famous example of this has to be Gmail. I mean, really? You just have to do it on this day? Couldn't just do it yesterday or tomorrow, or any of the 364 other days in the year?

[ViktorRay]

The gmail one is a classic though. It was an excellent way to bring awareness. It seems to have worked out for them too

[amelius]

Well, the "beta" tag turned out to be a joke.

[bilsbie]

On the other hand it could be a great way to float wild product ideas and see if there’s interest.

I’m surprised no companies try that.

[bingbingbing777]

You can do that directly with customers without doing a public announcement and potentially confusing people. It's a bad idea.

[Hoasi]

Companies coming up with outlandish claims on April 1st can look fun or enticing, and that's great PR. Otherwise, when a company does it because it's April 1st or worse, the CEO is the only one who thinks it's fun...it's just cringe.