ARN

Google goes with HTML5 over Gears

The new Web specification will include many of the offline features Google had in mind for Gears

Google will end Gears, an open-source plug-in project it launched two years ago to allow Web applications to function even when a computer isn't connected to the Internet, according to a statement from the company.

Google said that many of the features it has wrapped into Gears are now being incorporated into HTML5, the latest specification for the Web's mother coding tongue.

Gears was part of Google's vision to make online Web applications behave more like desktop ones. The idea is that a Web application could be used absent an Internet connection and then sync its data when the PC comes online again.

Components of Gears included a local server and database. Applications that used Gears include Google's Docs and Reader as well as Zoho's online office productivity suite.

However, new incompatibilities with Gears have cropped up. Although it works with Microsoft's Windows, Linux and some Apple OS X versions, it doesn't work with OS X version 10.6, also known as Snow Leopard.

Google said it will continue to support Gears so sites that use it don't break. "But we expect developers to use HTML5 for these features moving forward as it's a standards-based approach that will be available across all browsers," the company said.

HTML5 is a work in progress by the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The specification may reach the "candidate recommendation" stage at the W3C by 2012, according to the WHATWG's wiki.

Come socialise with us! Facebook | LinkedIn

More about: Apple, Google, Linux, Microsoft, W3C, World Wide Web Consortium, Zoho
References show all

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Google, google gears, html, html 5, web development
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Aquion , ASI Solutions , Australasian PC Distributors (APCD) , Avnet Technology Solutions , Bluechip Infotech , Brightpoint Australia , Compucon Computers , Dicker Data , Express Data , Express Online , ICT Distribution , Impact Systems Technology , Leader Computers , NewLease , Synnex Australia , Topstar Computer International , XiT Distribution , Xpress I.T.
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/transition-systems-australia/2010-11-15_345_new-wan-optimisation-available
Transition Systems Australia

NEW. WAN Optimisation Available.

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.