It seems that this year Google's most popular web applications will work offline. After
Google Reader and
Google Docs, two other services will integrate with Gears.
Andrew Fogg saw a preview of the integration at Google's offices and found that
Gmail and Google Calendar will add offline support in approximately 6 weeks.
In the past months, Google accidentally enabled the option in Google Calendar and some users saw the dialog illustrated below: "To view and edit the next 3 months of your Google Calendar when you're not connected to the Internet, click OK."
Andrew also found out that Google will add SyncML support for Gmail contacts next month. He thinks this is "related to the sync that they worked on with Apple for 3G iPhone".
SyncML is a standard for data synchronization supported by a lot of companies. "SyncML is most commonly thought of as a method to synchronize contact and calendar information between some type of handheld device and a computer (personal, or network-based service), such as between a mobile phone and a personal computer."
Update: Andrew Fogg deleted the tweets referenced in the post, but I have
a screenshot.
Another update (Jan. 2009): Much later than expected,
Gmail gets offline supports.
Labels: Google Gears
said on July 17, 2008 6:57 AM PDT:
This is interesting news.
Goosync added an option to upgrade memberships from yearly to unlimited (meaning works forever) subscriptions lately. I upgraded, but did think that maybe Goosync knew something about Google I didn't.
Now this points further in that direction. If Google is going to offer reliable SyncML in the future, Goosync's business will be in trouble.
Andrew said on July 17, 2008 7:41 AM PDT:
So can SyncML keep my GMail contacts in sync with Address Book.app?
erich13 said on July 17, 2008 8:14 AM PDT:
Saw a post in Twitter (twitter.com/KIntheHouse/statuses/860966189) and came to check it out. "Offline support" caught my attention. I would love offline support of Google Docs and Google Calendar.
Dug said on July 17, 2008 8:36 AM PDT:
My experience of syncml has been mostly that it always works but never works correctly. I've been syncing handsets with my mac for years and have pretty much never had a correct and/or complete sync of my address book...
Finally, been waiting for offline support of Gmail for a while. Hope they'll add support for Google Apps Gmail quickly as that's what my company needs most of all. I have 4 or 5 years worth of emails in my personal Gmail and a good years worth of email in my Google Apps emails. I suspect they'll initially only allow access to a limited amount of your emails. Probably no access to attachments, or emails older than, say, 180 days or whatever.
said on July 17, 2008 9:31 AM PDT:
I suppose Gmail doesn't show ads in offline mode. So as long as you sync every half an hour or so, you can have an ad-free Gmail experience for free?
said on July 17, 2008 9:40 AM PDT:
Well, that is nice to see you add SyncML support for Gmail Contacts, but unless you guys address a more serious issue (1:1 association with contact and email address), Contacts is still a weak contender to other systems. I have lots of contacts where multiple family members (e.g., husband, wife) share same address. Also, companies often have multiple folks using same address (e.g., customerservice@google.com).
said on July 17, 2008 9:51 AM PDT:
Why is it that every time Google release a new feature, someone comes around and complaints about another one. Hey! This is great news. Gmail is not perfect, but it
is getting there.
Guys,
Off line mode is something that lot of users will love.
Out Free MS Outlook integration application KiGoo (www.getkigoo.com) is planed to have it in the near future, also with support for multiple calendars and Google Doc access. All within MS Outlook user interface.
said on July 17, 2008 4:33 PM PDT:
When will they sync Gmail & Google Notebook?
Max said on July 18, 2008 2:54 AM PDT:
They need to introduce syncML for google calendar as well.... I think it's very important
wooger said on July 18, 2008 3:00 AM PDT:
if they add syncML for Gcal as well, then this is a great step forward for google's mobile business. There's something inherently sketchy about having to go to a third party to sync between your web calendar and phone.
Especially as some of the sites that do this for free still ask for you gmail username and password.
lmjabreu said on July 18, 2008 3:27 AM PDT:
"I suppose Gmail doesn't show ads in offline mode. So as long as you sync every half an hour or so, you can have an ad-free Gmail experience for free?"
or you can use FF and adblock or customizegoogle extension.
Joe said on July 18, 2008 3:48 AM PDT:
If it's free - then I am not complaining.
Google is taking over the world.
this is the killer app...offline gmail would be so sweet, there would be no need for any other email client/service!
OggSync said on July 18, 2008 4:26 AM PDT:
Interesting information, thanks for posting it. We are syncing contacts to Outlook and Windows Mobile using the Google Contact Data API, and the contact API has certainly been in flux. The latest changes by Google for "suggested contacts" will really help syncing contacts cleanly as before the Google contacts were always "too much" with Google automatically adding everything.
Derek said on July 18, 2008 1:06 PM PDT:
@Andrew: Address Book has a built-in feature that allows you to keep your Gmail contacts in sync with Apple Address Book.
Macc said on August 5, 2008 4:24 AM PDT:
What do you mean?
said on August 8, 2008 2:36 PM PDT:
OMG - this is exactly what we need - gmail offline!! I can't wait...
said on August 26, 2008 9:49 AM PDT:
6 weeks...
We are almost there, aren't we?
said on August 27, 2008 11:15 PM PDT:
Goosync doesn't seem to add appointments that I make on my phone so hopefully google supports it themselves and this whole thing works. Really surprised this isn't active by now...
So where is my Gmail offline?
I was using an updated version of incredimail. Now for some unknow reason it has put me back on the old version which I really don't like. How do I get it back to the newer version where the little man comes up and delivers my mail. Also the little envelope on the tool bar won't bring up my mail anymore. It is all mixed up.
Please help
Thanks Patty Leslie
jellybeanleslie@gmail.com
said on September 19, 2008 6:55 AM PDT:
What's the latest news on the offline app? After all, it's been two months now... But seriously, does anybody have any news on this issue?
Karthi said on September 21, 2008 7:26 PM PDT:
what happened to the syncml support for contacts and calender?? i am waiting to see it.
said on October 13, 2008 8:02 AM PDT:
Vaporware?
said on October 22, 2008 10:19 AM PDT:
whatever happened to SyncML for Google Contacts?
Karthi said on October 27, 2008 2:26 PM PDT:
they introduced new default labels for Contacts but SyncML is still not coming.... I am waiting
Sek.bot said on November 10, 2008 7:47 PM PDT:
Coooooooooooooooooooooooool
six weeks? I.don't.think.so. These are major hurdles to institutional acceptance
SnyderXC said on December 10, 2008 1:06 PM PDT:
I would like to see these. It will make Gmail/Calendar a Virtual Outlook/Thunderbird! Too bad it takes more than 6 weeks, where did that number come from?
said on December 19, 2008 12:24 PM PDT:
OK, I assume it is still not here...
Matt said on January 2, 2009 1:54 PM PDT:
I guess it is still not available ... really enjoy the off line options for google docs and looking forward to the gmail and calendar options.
Vacilando said on January 4, 2009 5:10 AM PDT:
This is sorely needed, esp. for e-mail... how long more to wait?
I also anxiously await offline Gmail, Docs and Calendar. Tried using Calgoo but not real happy with that either.
said on January 22, 2009 10:35 AM PDT:
hmm... yeah, another Google promise which has been released as said :/
it would be nice to see offline support for Gmail, Gcal and contacts, but... WHEN??
This is fantastic news! Wow, sometimes I forget how important offline is (until i lose power). Good lookin' out gmail team - Glenn Friesen
Diego said on January 28, 2009 9:09 AM PDT:
It would be very usefull. I'm still waitng for a real sync solution between Gmail, Blackberry and PC.
said on January 28, 2009 8:26 PM PDT:
right step from google currently only Microsoft is offering this .
I also found t he same topic on this URL
http://www.zahipedia.com/2009/01/27/gmail-accounts-now-work-in-offline-mode/
This is really great new from google and this is really great features. All we are worried about to put mail in offline.
I am interested to know how this will work out. Please give me the technical help full links about this.
It is a great improvement giving us offline access for the calendar, now all they need to do is give us the ability to link between gmail and the calendar and google might have a competitor for outlook.
said on January 30, 2009 9:46 AM PDT:
Status: Finishing offline installation
Please wait, this may take a few moments...
these few moments are like forever in my case...what should be the usual installation time taken,man?
said on February 12, 2009 12:48 AM PDT:
I had the same issue as Anonymous from 1/30: offline mode stalled at "Finishing offline installation." I fixed it by turning off the "Better Gmail 2" add-on that I had installed for Firefox. Once it's done downloading my mail, I may try turning the add-on back on and see if it works. Does anyone know anything about the compatibility between offline mode and the "Better Gmail 2" add-on?
