Private / Direct Messaging Coming To Steemit

Hello followers.
I have looked all over the site for information on this subject; private messagings / direct messages. There is a private message option on steemit.chat
Tho assuming your name is not taken on steemit.chat (your steemit.com account is not linked to steemit.chat)
There are only 2 other ways to contact each other.

1. We can comment on others blogs.

2. We can transfer steem or steem dollars to other users to leave a memo. Minimum amount to send a memo is .001, i believe.

Is private messaging or direct messaging in the road map for the future of steemit.com ?

Would private messaging / direct messaging be a transaction that costs the senders a very small amount per message?

I assume there is this function in the works. I would hope so. This function would hurt other social media sites so much. ie: fb reddit ect
Especially if there was a way to upload vlogs to steemit and avoid youtube. I will leave that for another blog.

So? Experts, amatuers and all others with comments tell me if you know or think private messaging will be coming!?

Thank you
Kevin