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.

By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, software, Google, Palm, WebKit, mobile phones