A report, citing highly placed sources, says that Google has developed an offline version of Gmail that is likely to be made available within this year.
Like Google Reader which lets you work offline using Google Gears, GMail users will be able to interact with their GMail account even when they don't have an active Internet connection.
This news, that Google is developing GMail Offline, is reported by a prominent Indian newspaper though the Google spokeswoman in India officially denied such a thing.
While it's a definite possibility that Google is working to enable Gmail for Offline access via Google Gears, there are some bits that I will take with a grain of salt.
For instance, the report says that you would have to download a GMail software client for that would automatically synchronize with the Gmail server. Why? Google Gears works inside a web browser and do not require any additional software. Or is Google developing a standalone desktop client for GMail like Outlook. Both the cases look slightly doubtful.
Last month, another newspaper in India reported, citing sources close to Google, that the Google Phone will hit the global market in two weeks time but there has been no development so far. In fact, analysts are denying that Google will release a GPhone since it doesn't fit their business model.
GMail Tip: Powerful GMail Search Commands
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/09/google-developing-gmail-offline-version.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Hi Amit
I have a problem with the installation of Google gears. I am a student of IIT Bombay and I work behind the IIT proxy. I downloaded the google gears client but when I try to install it, it gives me the message - "Installer download failed. Proxy authentication is required". However, it gives me no option to enter the proxy authentication or change the proxy settings in the setup client.
Please advise.
Ramesh
IIT Bombay
Written on 14/9/07 2:11 PM
GPhone is not entirely a fiction Amit, many reports have cited this and recently Ryan from Engadget confirmed that in the GigaOM show.
Written on 16/9/07 10:10 AM
It well be great if gmail can be accessed offline , so we can backup our mail
thank you
ammar al-khatib
baghdad
Written on 19/9/07 4:41 PM
Bit late on the topic. But one thing not detailed in summary is that GoogleGears with GMail would save Google heaps of money. What will likely happen is that "in-process" drafts will be saved locally then drafts and emails will reside locally and at GMail servers. This is ideal world, since browsing around messages and drafting, which is pretty ASAX intensive (especially drafting) would no longer need GoogleBandwidth or servers. Communication between Gears and Gmail would happen when messages are sent/calendar items updated/etc.
Save money, speed up performance, enhance user flexibility, it is a win, win, win! This how you avoid being Evil! Giving everyone what they want and save money at the same time.
oh4real
Written on 8/10/07 12:37 AM