July 17, 2008

Gmail and Google Calendar to Add Offline Support

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."

Screenshot licensed as Creative Commons by NOTICIAS-TIC.

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.
at

47 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 6:57 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AndrewJuly 17, 2008 at 7:41 AM

    So can SyncML keep my GMail contacts in sync with Address Book.app?

    ReplyDelete
  3. erichJuly 17, 2008 at 8:14 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 8:36 AM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Office EatingJuly 17, 2008 at 9:08 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 9:31 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 9:40 AM

    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).

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 9:51 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ariel Di StefanoJuly 17, 2008 at 9:56 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 17, 2008 at 4:33 PM

    When will they sync Gmail & Google Notebook?

    ReplyDelete
  11. MaxJuly 18, 2008 at 2:54 AM

    They need to introduce syncML for google calendar as well.... I think it's very important

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJuly 18, 2008 at 3:00 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  13. lmjabreuJuly 18, 2008 at 3:27 AM

    "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.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJuly 18, 2008 at 3:48 AM

    If it's free - then I am not complaining.

    Google is taking over the world.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJuly 18, 2008 at 4:20 AM

    this is the killer app...offline gmail would be so sweet, there would be no need for any other email client/service!

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousJuly 18, 2008 at 4:26 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousJuly 18, 2008 at 1:06 PM

    @Andrew: Address Book has a built-in feature that allows you to keep your Gmail contacts in sync with Apple Address Book.

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousAugust 5, 2008 at 4:24 AM

    What do you mean?

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousAugust 8, 2008 at 2:36 PM

    OMG - this is exactly what we need - gmail offline!! I can't wait...

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousAugust 26, 2008 at 9:49 AM

    6 weeks...

    We are almost there, aren't we?

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousAugust 27, 2008 at 11:15 PM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  22. Office EatingSeptember 8, 2008 at 1:46 PM

    So where is my Gmail offline?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Patty LeslieSeptember 18, 2008 at 11:10 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2008 at 6:55 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  25. KarthikeyanSeptember 21, 2008 at 7:26 PM

    what happened to the syncml support for contacts and calender?? i am waiting to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousOctober 13, 2008 at 8:02 AM

    Vaporware?

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousOctober 22, 2008 at 10:19 AM

    whatever happened to SyncML for Google Contacts?

    ReplyDelete
  28. KarthikeyanOctober 27, 2008 at 2:26 PM

    they introduced new default labels for Contacts but SyncML is still not coming.... I am waiting

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousNovember 10, 2008 at 7:47 PM

    Coooooooooooooooooooooooool

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anthony RabunNovember 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM

    six weeks? I.don't.think.so. These are major hurdles to institutional acceptance

    ReplyDelete
  31. Nathan SnyderDecember 10, 2008 at 1:06 PM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousDecember 19, 2008 at 12:24 PM

    OK, I assume it is still not here...

    ReplyDelete
  33. UnknownJanuary 2, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  34. UnknownJanuary 4, 2009 at 5:10 AM

    This is sorely needed, esp. for e-mail... how long more to wait?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Former Donut JunkieJanuary 20, 2009 at 2:08 PM

    I also anxiously await offline Gmail, Docs and Calendar. Tried using Calgoo but not real happy with that either.

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    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??

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2009 at 5:41 PM

    This is fantastic news! Wow, sometimes I forget how important offline is (until i lose power). Good lookin' out gmail team - Glenn Friesen

    ReplyDelete
  38. Diego García-HuidobroJanuary 28, 2009 at 9:09 AM

    It would be very usefull. I'm still waitng for a real sync solution between Gmail, Blackberry and PC.

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    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/

    ReplyDelete
  40. SpecialJanuary 28, 2009 at 10:06 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Paul RasmussenJanuary 29, 2009 at 5:44 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2009 at 9:46 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  43. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2009 at 12:48 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  44. laileyJuly 10, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    it is a very wonderful information for every one.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?

    ReplyDelete
  45. seoarheyOctober 15, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    Offline it is very good feature of Gmail. Gmail is definately best e-mail!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Denis EfanovJanuary 3, 2010 at 5:01 PM

    This is very good news! I use Gmail offline. Sometimes it is very useful with WiFi internet.

    ReplyDelete
  47. DmitriyJanuary 11, 2010 at 2:46 AM

    Thanks for the good news!!! Gmail is the best!

    ReplyDelete

New comments are not allowed.