Is now the time for a real Gmail competitor?

I'm not talking about Facebook mail (a little too social for work-related email).

I've always been a mega-fan of google. Everything they touch turns to gold. Thats what I said two years ago (a little like apple right now). But now we have google wave, google buzz, and I dont forget things like Jaiku.

Google is no longer infallible. And I think I'm not the only one who no longer believes google is the only one capable of a fast-light-weight everyday online email service.

But we need something big. From someone big. Or an exciting startup thats offering something comparable but with a slight edge.

Is now the time? Google is faltering. Our hope and faith in the company is not what it once was, is there a startup out there (or should there be?) that can take on gmail?