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...