Google will now provide developers with Google Gears, an open source project, which brings offline capabilities to web applications, making it a stronger platform for deploying all types of applications, and enabling a better user experience
The new technology addresses a major user concern: availability of data and applications, when internet is undependable or slow. Application developers use the web for email, CRM or photos editing purposes. Enhancements that make the browser environment more powerful are important for the above uses.
Google Gears builds on the web's existing programming model by introducing new JavaScript APIs for sophisticated data storage, application caching, and multi-threading features. With these APIs, developers can bring offline capabilities to their most complex web applications. It works with all major browsers on all major platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
"With Google Gears we're tackling a key limitation of the browser in order to make it a stronger platform for deploying all types of applications," said Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google.
Google is offering Google Gears as a free; fully open source technology in order to help every web application, not just Google applications. The company will be working closely with all members of the web community to converge upon a standard, so developers have one consistent API for offline functionality.
"The Gears API will also be available in Apollo, which enables web applications to run on the desktop, providing developers with consistent offline and local database solutions," said Kevin Lynch, senior vice president and chief software architect of Adobe.
The new browser is now available for testing.
