Photo credit: Martin Lafrance/Flickr

The awaited launch of Google Offline was made yesterday which will enable users to access versions of Google's cloud-based Gmail, Calendar and Docs apps while offline.

When applications such as your email, shared documents and calendar are all stored online, there is always an absolute dependency to be connected to the Internet. Google is lessening this dependence by making this range of services available offline.

Google Offline, which is available as a Google Chrome appli`cation, will allow customers to access and view their stored material even when they are not online. As such, you can still read all your emails, organise them, create drafts, access your calendar and view centrally stored documents without needing an Internet connection.

This development from Google will help increase the practicality of its cloud computing services. Google Offline, an HTML5-powered app, also operates a very clean and attractive interface making it easy to use as well as allowing the user to work with even greater efficiency. It combines all of the benefits of a cloud-based system without the dependence on an Internet connection.

On its blog, Google said: “The great things about web apps is that you can access all of your information on the go, and we've introduced ways to use Google Apps on a variety of devices like mobile phones and tablets. But it's inevitable that you'll occasionally find yourself in situations when you don't have an Internet connection, like planes, trains and carpools.”

Further developments that will enable the user to edit documents offline are also in the pipeline. With Microsoft Office already offering an offline options for its suite of applications, this is a clear attempt by Google to level the playing field with its old adversary.