As we become more dependent upon web based applications like Gmail, Google Reader, and WordPress, the reality of not having access while offline becomes a bigger concern. People aren’t using these applications just for entertainment anymore. For many, it’s a part of their job. While Gmail isn’t included, the other two have offline versions thanks to Google Gears.
While that’s been a great solution for Firefox users, there are a few people that actually prefer Safari. We loyal Safari users may soon join those lucky Gears users. Google Reading can be done without internet. Writing angry blog entries about the guy that just ran into your car during your commute is within your reach. I’m getting the shivers.
Google has started to share an early beta of Google Gears for Safari. Before you let your itchy download finger clickity click, this is not meant for consumption yet. It can hose you. It can hose your browser. It can hose your online data when you sync.
- This is BETA, it is not an official release, it might break your browser. Chances are it will break your browser. Please proceed with caution.
- Please do not forward the download, since it’s still in beta, we would like to make sure we patch up any issues before we officially release it.
Ah, beta means “not ready for public use yet”. Excuse me while I go use Gmail to warn the person I just told. Wait. Gmail is in beta. My head hurts. If you’re desperate to try it out, you’ve been warned.
[via Gears Users via Ars Technica]
Don't forget, you can have clientside databases with HTML5 that's already loaded in Safari:
http://webkit.org/blog/126/webkit-does-html5-client-side-database-storage/
I believe that's on the iPhone as well, great standard alternative.
They should call it "alpha" since Google itself redefined "beta."