On Friday, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk issued a warning to Google, indicating that his platform X (formerly Twitter) would soon offer an alternative to Gmail.
Responding to a query on X about the possibility of launching an email service, Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, confirmed that the service is in the works. Nate McGrady, a member of X’s Engineering and Security team, had inquired about the launch date for XMail.
Musk’s simple response, “Coming,” ignited speculation within the tech industry, especially as Google faced rumors of phasing out Gmail, fueled by a manipulated image circulating on social media platforms.
In response to Musk’s announcement, one follower declared their intention to switch to Xmail, expressing a loss of trust in Gmail. Another user likened their use of Gmail to how they currently utilize Hotmail, suggesting it’s primarily for junk.
Earlier in the day, a purported email from Google surfaced on X, suggesting the imminent “sunsetting” of Gmail in August 2024. Google swiftly debunked the image, affirming that “Gmail is here to stay.” However, the company did confirm plans to shut down the basic HTML view this year, transitioning users to the service’s “Standard” view.
