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Facebook expected to launch 'Gmail rival' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Facebook is expected to launch a new messaging system seen as a challenge to Google's Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. | Facebook is expected to launch a new messaging system seen as a challenge to Google's Gmail, Yahoo and Hotmail. |
The giant social network - which boasts more than 500 million users worldwide - will host a special event in San Francisco on Monday. | The giant social network - which boasts more than 500 million users worldwide - will host a special event in San Francisco on Monday. |
Unconfirmed reports suggest Facebook could announce its own e-mail address - @facebook.com - or even a fully-fledged web-based e-mail system. | Unconfirmed reports suggest Facebook could announce its own e-mail address - @facebook.com - or even a fully-fledged web-based e-mail system. |
Google-Facebook rivalry has increased recently amid a series of disputes. | Google-Facebook rivalry has increased recently amid a series of disputes. |
Google has banned Facebook from importing its users' e-mail contacts, a move it says it made because Facebook refused to allow the export of contact and friend data from within user profiles. | Google has banned Facebook from importing its users' e-mail contacts, a move it says it made because Facebook refused to allow the export of contact and friend data from within user profiles. |
In reply, Facebook enabled a workaround that let users save their Google contacts to their computers before importing them into Facebook. | In reply, Facebook enabled a workaround that let users save their Google contacts to their computers before importing them into Facebook. |
'Treasure trove' | 'Treasure trove' |
According to a report on popular technology blog Techcrunch, Facebook's new venture - codenamed Project Titan - is being dubbed a "Gmail killer". | According to a report on popular technology blog Techcrunch, Facebook's new venture - codenamed Project Titan - is being dubbed a "Gmail killer". |
The blog suggests Facebook is preparing to unveil a fully-fledged e-mail service for the web. | The blog suggests Facebook is preparing to unveil a fully-fledged e-mail service for the web. |
It also suggests that Facebook's wealth of information on users - from event planning, to their likes and even the frequency with which they interact with other users - could be used to make the e-mail service an irresistible proposition. | It also suggests that Facebook's wealth of information on users - from event planning, to their likes and even the frequency with which they interact with other users - could be used to make the e-mail service an irresistible proposition. |
But little is known for sure, and it is also possible that the new system could be a revamped messaging service only available for Facebook users. | But little is known for sure, and it is also possible that the new system could be a revamped messaging service only available for Facebook users. |
Facebook has made no comment on the report, and will brief the press in San Francisco on Monday at 1000 (1800 GMT). | Facebook has made no comment on the report, and will brief the press in San Francisco on Monday at 1000 (1800 GMT). |
Facebook's huge user base is seen as a potential treasure trove of information, especially for advertisers. | Facebook's huge user base is seen as a potential treasure trove of information, especially for advertisers. |
Analysts say the social networking firm, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, is becoming an increasingly powerful rival to Google because of the loyalty of its user base. | Analysts say the social networking firm, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, is becoming an increasingly powerful rival to Google because of the loyalty of its user base. |
Facebook users willingly provide reams of private and personal information, as well as interacting constantly with friends, applications and organisations through the Facebook platform. | Facebook users willingly provide reams of private and personal information, as well as interacting constantly with friends, applications and organisations through the Facebook platform. |
Jesus Diaz of technology blog Gizmodo said that while Google had the most to be concerned about, other e-mail providers would also be worried. | Jesus Diaz of technology blog Gizmodo said that while Google had the most to be concerned about, other e-mail providers would also be worried. |
"If I were Google, Yahoo or Hotmail, I'd be very nervous," he told the BBC. | "If I were Google, Yahoo or Hotmail, I'd be very nervous," he told the BBC. |
"Facebook Mail could be a killer, not only because of its potential instant size but because of its natural advantage at making mail more useful." | "Facebook Mail could be a killer, not only because of its potential instant size but because of its natural advantage at making mail more useful." |
While it has struck a deal with Microsoft to allow user data to power its Bing search engine, it has made no such arrangement with rival Google. | While it has struck a deal with Microsoft to allow user data to power its Bing search engine, it has made no such arrangement with rival Google. |
Google insists it believes in open-sharing of information, and stopped Facebook mining Gmail for contact information because Facebook itself was keeping contact information private. | Google insists it believes in open-sharing of information, and stopped Facebook mining Gmail for contact information because Facebook itself was keeping contact information private. |
The companies have also become bitter rivals offline as well as online, with Facebook's reportedly offering Google engineers lucrative deals to defect across Silicon Valley. | The companies have also become bitter rivals offline as well as online, with Facebook's reportedly offering Google engineers lucrative deals to defect across Silicon Valley. |
Last week, Google awarded staff a 10% pay rise and will pay employees more of their total package through salaries instead of bonuses. | Last week, Google awarded staff a 10% pay rise and will pay employees more of their total package through salaries instead of bonuses. |
Analysts said this move was partly influenced by a desire to hold onto staff being wooed by Facebook. | Analysts said this move was partly influenced by a desire to hold onto staff being wooed by Facebook. |