We are addicted to the Internet and checking out mail, but being constantly online is hard to do, despite of all on-the-go wireless connections, either because of a bad connection, or simply because of lack of coverage.

 

Gmail Labs has come up with yet another way of filling the gap between Internet-related activities and offline functionality, with a new experimental feature that allows users to access their Gmail account from their normal browser, even while being offline.

 

The steps are simple, all users need to do is enable the Offline Gmail feature from the Settings -> Labs tab, save the changes, and reload browser. To start the set up process, users will then need to click on the Offline button on the upper right corner of the account, next to their username, and download Gears.

 

Google explained that once the feature is turned on, Gears will download a local cache of the mail which synchronizes with the Gmail servers as long as the user is connected to the network. While in offline mode, Gmail starts using the data stored on the user’s computer instead of that across the network.

 

What this basically means is that from now on, users will be able to read messages and do whatever they normally do while connected to the Internet, even send messages. When the Internet connection becomes available again, the messages that have been automatically stored in the outbox will be sent.

 

However, users have been warned that this is still an experimental feature, and they might still be in for little surprises, however feedback is always appreciated.