Google's recent jump into social networking with Buzz has been viewed by many as a direct attack on Facebook. First reported by TechCrunch's Michael Arrington, rumors are now all over the internet about Facebook striking back by preparing to launch a fully featured email system. Known internally at Project Titan, the email system is unofficially being called the "Gmail Killer".
Fully featured email means that the over 400 Million Facebook users will have an email system already set up that can be used across the internet. The system is said to have full POP/IMAP support, which means that users will be able to configure it with outside e-mail clients, like Microsoft Outlook. Allegedly the email address will simply be each users Facebook vanity url with @facebook.com.
The number one advantage of Facebook having email is how much will be possible under one website. This can be an attraction for the people who are still holding out on social networking. Now members will be able to communicate with non members directly from their Facebook account, and these email addresses will be noticed by others.
This will also lead to more opportunities for advertising on the Facebook system, if Facebook is to post the same ads in their emails that appear on the site. The potential of this email system becoming people's primary personal account, combined with the amount of views these ads would have, can be a lot of money for Facebook.
According to BBC News, with 150 Million users, Gmail is the world's third most popular email system, only behind Yahoo and Microsoft.
Now if Facebook can create a quality search engine, there might not be a need for Google at all. For now though, it is nothing but rumors.