Google demos iPhone offline Gmail, Palm Pre Maps
updated 10:00 pm EST, Wed February 18, 2009
Offline Gmail and Pre Maps
Google held an event at Mobile World Congress to demo several of its latest technologies, including Maps for the Palm Pre and offline Gmail for the iPhone. The Maps webapp is coded completely in HTML5 and uses the integrated WebKit engine instead of working as a native app, while retaining the same functionality, according to Pre Community. The interface supports multitouch input and offers the standard features of the desktop-browser variant.
Google's Vic Gondotra presented the demo and mentioned that he considers the Pre "arguably one of my favorite devices." The WebOS platform is coded in CSS, HTML and JavaScript to attract a large variety of developers. HTML5 could provide an easy way to bring one project to multiple devices without the need to re-code the app for each individual platform. The Android browser and Mobile Safari also use the same WebKit engine.
Gundotra also demonstrated a webapp for the iPhone 3G that provides offline functionality for Gmail, according to iPhonebuzz. Users can access all of their messages while outside of cellular networks or in airplane mode. The app uses AppCache and Database to keep a local backup of the software and user data. Messages can be labeled while offline and a floating toolbar tracks e-mail browsing.
The Gmail variant also takes advantage of HTML5 coding, expanding its reach beyond just the iPhone. Gundotra also previewed the app on the HTC Magic, a device running the Android operating system.
Wow!
02/18, 10:58pm reply
Off-line GMail! Without this incredible development, people with an iPhone would be stuck using Mail.app on the iPhone to read your GMail.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Ha ha
02/18, 11:22pm reply
Your sarcasm is warranted but many people don't like setting up mail accounts and just being able to visit a web site and then its stored on your phone is awesome!
I just would like to see this for their other apps like docs, calendar, tasks, notes, and reader!
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
Re: ha ha
02/19, 07:04am reply
Yes, because the effort to set up a gmail account on an iPhone/Touch is just so difficult. I mean, you have to type in your email address AND your password.
And you're not going to a web site. This is a separate app you need to install and configure. Just like, I don't know, the Mail app!
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Hold on
02/19, 09:49am reply
I have an iPhone 3G and like "testudo" say I had my google account configured. So I'm not using Safari to check e-mail.
But if you haven't network, some of the mail content can't be read.
So with google mail offline option, you will have the mail, truly downloaded in your device, for you check them at any time with network or without it.
IxOsX
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Joined: Feb 2009
Re: Hold on
02/19, 09:55am reply
What content can't be read?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Re: testudo
02/19, 10:43am reply
Ok!
You where partial right and I was partial wrong. Indeed without network we still can read the emails. I Just test it now on flight mode.
The only thing you can do it is to download the attachments, if not alread downloaded, for the obvious reasons. So I must believe that the Google Client download everything(??) for you consult without network. If not, you are absolutely right.
Cheers!
IxOsX
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Joined: Feb 2009
PalmPre Google Maps
02/21, 02:36pm reply
A really neat trick would be if Google Maps on the Pre could locate a Palm retail store! How on Earth is Palm planning to launch their revolutionary, amazing s*** new device? In small, mediocre, totally unsexy and un-revolutionary Sprint stores with paper Palm posters hanging in a window? That definitely aint gonna cut it!
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999