Will Google replace email with chat apps?

Google has tried replacing email multiple times (Wave, Buzz, Allo, Hangouts pivots) without success. Email's interoperability across providers, organizations, and use cases makes it irreplaceable for many communication needs. Chat apps serve different purposes.

Email's unique value: works across any provider, creates searchable records, handles asynchronous communication well, supports long-form content, integrates with business workflows, and reaches anyone with an address. Chat apps require mutual platform adoption.

Likely future: email and messaging coexist for different use cases. Marketing, transactional communication, and formal business correspondence remain email-native. Quick team communication moves to chat. Neither eliminates the other.