Facebook gets into email?

Rumour has it that Facebook is developing it’s very own Web-based email system. The system is dubbed “Project Titan” and if successful, will prove to be a rival for Google and Yahoo. Facebook us currently celebrating it’s 6th birthday, and has recently passed the 400 million user mark.

This new development is said to be an enhancement to Facebook’s current messaging system, which it has – to the joy of many – been steadily improved over the past few years.

Do we need another email address though? I’m not sure about you, but I have about 5 already. I have also become quite used to the current messaging system – which is confined to Facebook users, and offers quite a convenient option for communication. Folders would be a good addition though.

The Los Angeles Times says:

With Facebook gravitating to the center of the online world for hundreds of millions, it is well positioned for such a move. Facebook users already stay in touch and share links and photos with friends on the social networking site, making it a logical place to e-mail and chat. Time spent on Facebook soared to 27.6 billion minutes in December, up from 17.8 billion minutes in October, according to data from ComScore.

Facebook is all about communication, whereas Yahoo aggregates content and Google focuses on search. Yet both Internet giants have legions of faithful e-mail users and deep stakes in the messaging market. The proof for Facebook will be in the execution.

So it would make sense that Facebook tap the creator of the popular Gmail to lead its effort that TechCrunch reports has been dubbed internally “Project Titan” and that some employees have unofficially dubbed “Gmail killer.”

Facebook’s Paul Buchheit, a former Google engineer, denies working on an email product.

Should Facebook really be delving into these waters? Or should they be focused on improving their social networking platform?

Photo credit: biscotte