When Firefox 3.0 is released later this year,
the open-source browser is likely to contain a host of new features, including
offline support for web applications (Google's Gmail, Google Calendar, etc)
and new bookmark and search features. According to engineering VP Mike
Schroepfer, Mozilla is aiming for an integration between the browser and web
apps that is "as smooth-running as a desktop application." The Mozilla project
has already integrated Firefox 3.0 with Zimbra, an open-source e-mail, instant
messaging, and VoIP app, but Schroepfer envisions users being able to write
e-mails in Google or Hotmail while offline-as long as Mozilla receives support
from Google or Microsoft, that is. Firefox 3.0 is currently scheduled to come
out some time in the second half of this year.
Hmmm, interesting. The only reason I'd ever be off-line is if my internet is down. And then I'm going to be spending my free time getting my internet back up and running, so that I don't have to work off-line. But pretty useful for laptops mostly I guess...