You've seen the chart: Web email isn't necessarily going away, but social network messaging is on the rise. In the U.K., it's already as popular as email. So what's Yahoo's plan to compete with Facebook and other social networks? Email, of course. Seems that's Google's plan too, according to what both companies told Bits. The idea is that the connection between you and those in your address books and inboxes are just as much a part of your social graph as the people you "friend" on Facebook. But I'm skeptical. Who wants a friend request from Mr. George Annah of Senegal or opheliasbmv4 and other "chicks in your area" who "needu some luvin today" ?

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