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Google Brings Gmail Offline

Offline and 'flaky' modes rolled out to win over business users

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2009 5:51 AM CST

(Newser) – Google has rolled out an offline service for Gmail in a bid to woo business users, CNET reports. The system lets users read, write, and search emails in their browsers even when they’re not connected to the Internet. Messages are sent and retrieved again once network access is restored. A "flaky connection mode" synchronizes mail with the server during intermittent access.

"This is a feature we've heard loud and clear the enterprise wants," said Gmail's product manager. Google also plans to offer offline calendar access in the near future. Analysts say the new offline mode, while seemingly at odds with Google's web-based computing ideals, will make Gmail more attractive to business customers—although the lingering beta tag is seen as a big turnoff.

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Gmail has rolled out an offline feature designed to let users read, write, and search Gmail messages even while not connected to the network. (©adria.richards)

Gmail's "flaky connection" mode aims to make life easier for users with intermittent network connections. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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We think the browser is the ideal platform for deploying all kinds of applications. But people are traditionally limited by the speed and connectivity of the Internet. We want to fill in those gaps.
- Gmail product manager Todd Jackson

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Google Brings Gmail Offline