Why is Gmail still in Beta?
 

Why is it still in beta. Hasn't it been over a year now?

Why does Gmail/Google want your mobile number? To sign up for a Gmail account they want your mobile number so they can text you the invite code. Why do you think this is?

"Get your invitation code

To sign up, enter your mobile phone number below. We'll send you a text message with an invitation code to create your account. If you've already received a code, skip to step two! "

www.gmail.com

it is a secret society

I would guess that they want to test several cell phones..

All of Google is in Beta. Pretty much all of their products are "beta"... one of the issues of being a company full of geeks, you have great ideas, but nobody ever wants to say "it's done".

it gives them an excuse to keep gather info on people :)