Beware Facebook and Twitter! Google is coming

Internet giant Google is looking to add new social features to its e-mail service, Gmail, in its bid to compete with popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, a media report says.

"Google Inc is taking a swipe at Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc with a new feature that makes it easier for users of Gmail to view media and status updates shared online by their friends," ‘The Wall Street Journal’ said.

Attributing to people familiar with the matter, the report stated that Google could announce the new Gmail features as soon as this week.

The change adds a module to the Gmail screen that would display a stream of updates from individuals a user chooses to connect with, it added. It is a format popularised by Facebook and Twitter.

(With PTI inputs)