Gmail, the Web mail service operated by search engine Google, could be gearing up for its official launch, as people using the service have found recently that the number of invitations they can send out has increased from four to 50.

Gmail, which was launched in April 2004 and is still officially in a testing phase, is not open to the general public. At first, Google let only select family and friends open accounts at Gmail. But it has slowly opened up membership more broadly to friends of those already holding accounts. This latest development could indicate that either Google is hoping to significantly expand its user base for further testing or that the company is gearing up for a full launch.

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Comments
on Feb 07, 2005
I just received my 50 invites... geez, I could barely get rid of 6!!
on Feb 07, 2005
It would make sense. The idea of having invites is just a form of viral marketing, the idea of causing a spreading hype over a product. As the hype of Gmail peaks, or at least reaches a predetermined status by google, it would make sense that they would open it up to everyone with the idea of producing a surge of sign-ups.