The potential problem with web-based email startups is that good AJAX email experience requires fast response times. Google can afford multiple data centers wit

The potential problem with web-based email startups is that good AJAX email experience requires fast response times. Google can afford multiple data centers with thousands of servers powering gMail making sure UI response is nearly instantaneous. A little company with $3-4 million in the bank will most likely feel sluggish. A good example is Plaxo. I like them a lot, always have been. But I simply cannot use it because their UI makes me feel I'm on a dialup.