http://www.playfuls.com/news_03797_AOL_Beats_Google_at_Free_E_mail_Space_5_GB_from_September.html

5 GB Email. What is AOL up to? Getting rid of the best email service.

There are services which offer more space than Gmail. However Gmail works because they took great concepts like Threading, Searching etc.

Like IMB Commercial "The Guy who invented Sliced Bread didn't invent Slicing or Bread. He broad 2 great inventions together"

Google did exactly that with Gmail.

If AOL can do that, without the billion banner ads. They'll be ok.