Google has just come out with a free service called Google Paper (still in Beta), which allows you to “Archive” any email you want, and have Google mail it to you in an envelope.

An overview of some neat features:

- One click mail option
- Mail will arrive within 2-4 business days
- Attachments will also be printed and sent (excluding mp3s)
- Photos will be printed on high-quality glossy paper

I can tell you already, this is a major event in internet history.  This will bridge the gap for the non-internet literate folks out there who want to keep in touch with the internet crowd.

Some ideas for use:

1) Make your own library for your home
2) Keep confirmation/receipt emails on a hard copy
3) Keep photo albums of your loved ones
4) Use it as a free printer by sending yourself attachments when you can order in advance.

Additionally, this will pose quite a threat to the growing line of printers which print out emails automatically.

How can Google afford to offer this?  Advertising, of course.  The ads will appear on the page alongside your content.  It will be interesting to see how Google charges advertisers for these types of ads, since the usually “pay-per-click” model won’t work on this medium.

I intend to make use of this feature immediately to have free photo prints sent, as well as long articles and even out-of-copyright books - all for free.

Now this all sounded great, right?  Too bad this is just Google’s April Fool’s joke…(I honestly wish it weren’t)  Here is a list of many of Google’s hoaxes.