Google makes Docs available offline

Google's online document applications have moved into the offline world, as the web giant acknowledges that work must continue even if internet access isn't available.

"There are still gaps in access - times you wish you could reach your web applications but can't, because your connection is unreliable or unavailable," the firm said in a statement.

Over the next few weeks, Google Docs will roll out tools to let users edit and save their online documents while working offline. Users can work on their documents - initially just word files, but eventually spreadsheets or presentations - and any changes are automatically synced up to the online site when the computer is reconnected.

On the official Google Docs blog, Philip Tucker, Doc's Software Engineer, explained how it worked. "As long as I have an Internet connection, every change I make is saved to the cloud," he wrote. "When I lose my connection, I sacrifice some features, but I can still access my documents.... Everything I need is saved locally. And I do everything through my web browser, even when I'm offline...when my connection comes back, my documents sync up again with the server."

He added: "It's all pretty seamless: I don't have to remember to save my documents locally before packing my laptop for a trip. I don't have to remember to save my changes as soon as I get back online. And I don't have to switch applications based on network connectivity."

Google said the system works using the open-source Gears browser plugin, which is also used by Google's RSS reader.

The launch initially covers Google Doc's consumer users, but will eventually extend to Google Apps, which includes email and calendar applications. Anyone wanting to try using Apps offline now, can opt in using the admin control panel, the firm said.

Google posted the following video on its blog to show how the system will work:

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