Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), has officially announced the upcoming launch of Xmail, sparking speculation about its potential to compete with Google’s Gmail service. Musk’s confirmation swiftly followed widespread internet rumors suggesting Gmail’s imminent shutdown.
The validation emerged in response to a tweet from Nathan McGrady, a senior member of X’s Security Engineering team, inquiring about Xmail’s launch date. Musk promptly replied, confirming the impending service and setting the stage for a potential significant shift in the email service landscape.
Amid mounting concerns about Gmail’s future, triggered by a viral post on X announcing the alleged shutdown of Google’s email service, the tech community buzzed with anticipation. The post, featuring a screenshot of an email titled ‘Google is sunsetting Gmail,’ fueled panic and speculation about Gmail’s fate.
The purported email stated that Gmail would cease operations on August 1, 2024, discontinuing support for sending, receiving, or storing emails. Despite the attention the post received, skepticism arose regarding its authenticity, as many questioned its legitimacy without an official announcement from Google.
Google swiftly addressed the speculations on the X platform, reassuring users that Gmail is not shutting down and is “here to stay.” The company clarified recent modifications to Gmail’s default view, transitioning from ‘basic HTML’ to a more vibrant interface in January 2024.
Despite Google’s confirmation, rumors about Gmail’s fate intensified discussions on alternative email services, with some expressing interest in trying out Xmail as a viable option. One user on social media also voiced distrust towards Gmail and a willingness to explore alternatives in light of the speculation.
In another development, Elon Musk, also the CEO of SpaceX, recently advocated for humanity to expand beyond Earth. He emphasized the importance of establishing a moon base and cities on Mars, expressing disappointment that half a century has passed since the last Moon landing. Musk underscored the historical significance of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission, the first time humans set foot on the lunar surface.
Reflecting on the achievement of Apollo 11, Musk noted the rapid progress from the first flight to the Moon landing in just 66 years. However, he highlighted the lack of subsequent lunar attempts over the past 50 years, emphasizing his belief that this should not mark the pinnacle of human civilization.
