Google has announced a browser extension aimed at enabling Javascript-based Web applications to work better when a device is offline. Google Gears for Windows Mobile works with Internet Explorer, requires minor changes to programs written in AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML), and already boasts third-party word processing and finance applications, Google says.
Mobile devices are often disconnected from the network, and, even when they are connected, latencies can make web applications sluggish, Google points out. Google Gears attempts to lessen these problems by caching data for offline use. As a result, some web applications may keep working "transparently" as a device connects and disconnects, the company claims.
According to Google, Google Gears makes new APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) available to Javascript code. Porting existing Javascript applications to the Google Gears API requires only minor modifications, the company claims. When Javascript applications call on the Google Gear API, the user is prompted to install the Google Gears extension and restart their browser. After that, the application can run on- or off-line, Google claims.
The core modules provided by Google Gears for programmers are:
LocalServer, which caches application pages for offline access
Database, a version of the open-source SQLite 3 database, for storing and accessing application data on the user's device
WorkerPool, which brings threading to JavaScript, allowing applications to run code in the background without blocking a main page's script execution
Charles Wiles, a product manager for the Google Mobile team, said "Google Gears almost makes widget platforms obsolete, since it allows developers to write [relatively] standard AJAX applications and have them run anywhere."
An introduction to Google Gears with product manager Charles Wiles Source: Google (click to play)
Planned for Apple's iPhone and the Linux-based Android platform, the open-source browser extension came to Windows Mobile first because "the plugin framework on Internet Explorer is actually quite good," Wiles added. Google Gears also supports standard desktop OSes that include Windows XP, Windows Vista, OS X, and Linux. Compatible with Firefox, it also works with Internet Explorer 6.0 on the Windows platforms.
Third-party applications
Also announced today were two third-party applications for Google Gears, a word processor called Zoho Writer, and a personal finance application called Buxfer. Zoho Writer, seen being installed below, was previously compatible with desktop browsers, and is designed to provide online document sharing and editing.
Zoho Writer provides offline document viewing (Click to enlarge)
With the new Windows Mobile version of Zoho Writer, documents can now be viewed offline. Editing offline will be provided in a forthcoming release, according to Zoho.
A demonstration of Zoho Writer on Windows Mobile Source: Zoho (click to play)
Buxfer (below) is a personal finance application that provides access to bank account balance and transactions. In online mode, it allows synchronizing accounts and adding transactions from a smartphone. In offline mode, it does not allow this, but still provides access to account balances, recent transactions, and analysis charts, according to the company.
Buxfer keeps track of financial information even offline (Click to enlarge)
Further information
Google Gears can be downloaded from the Google website, here. A companion website for developers is also available, here.
Zoho Writer can be downloaded from the company's website, here. Buxfer is available from the company's website, here.
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