Link: http://mashable.com/2010/02/08/google-gmail-social-event/

I don't know if this is in retaliation for the rumored "Facebook to install webmail" thing but I'd say it's probably a safe bet.

Do we all need to update our status in email? Come on.

We learned earlier today that Google is launching a social status update feature in Gmail. While details are sparse, The Wall Street Journal reports that it is a new Gmail module that could integrate status updates as well as content from YouTube, Picasa and potentially other social sources. WSJ is unclear as to when it will launch, though.