Edible Apple

Google has successfully leveraged the popularity of Gmail in a number of different arenas, most notably by requiring Android users to possess Gmail accounts if they want to access the Android marketplace. And though there still remains a significant percentage of folks who use Yahoo! and Hotmail for emailing, there’s no denying that Gmail is on the rise with no true competitor in sight.

Or did we speak too soon.

For as much traffic as Google gets per day, people spend a helluva lot more time using Facebook than they do entering search queries into Google. Looking to capitalize on that, Zuckerberg and co. are reportedly trying to leverage that dynamic into a new Gmail competitor.

Supposedly codenamed Project Titan, TechCrunch reports that Facebook is planning to unveil a new web-based email client at a special Facebook media event this Monday. What can we expect to see? Well how about personal @facebook.com email accounts for starters.

Our understanding is that this is more than just a UI refresh for Facebook’s existing messaging service with POP access tacked on. Rather, Facebook is building a full-fledged webmail client, and while it may only be in early stages come its launch Monday, there’s a huge amount of potential here.

In many ways, Facebook seems to be operating a bit like Apple. They slowly but surely advance their position, and before you know it, competitors are left scratching their heads wondering, “Where the hell did they came from?!”