i think gmail is best service becoz its is fast as well as more relaible, but what u think that its wil launch its own messenger or we had to use gmail id's through http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/on msn, i think if gmail gives its messenger than atleast me and my friend will chooose gmail for email. You shud have seen the maktoob az well, its has its own messenger too Maktoob Link if u haven't seen this site yet, have a look at it, it is also in 1GB account race and have many options...hope u like it