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Google expands offline calendar to more users

Google Calendar is a Web app, but it now can work even when there's no network access for a broader class of people.

Stephen Shankland Former Principal Writer
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
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Stephen Shankland
Offline Calendar installation
Clicking the Offline Beta link gets the installation started. Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET

When Google announced that Google Calendar users could read events even while not connected to a network, the feature was only for organizations using Google Apps for their Internet domains. Now the offline calendar feature can be used more broadly, though.

The feature is available by clicking the "Offline Beta" link in the upper right side of the page. Clicking on it walks the user through an installation and initial synchronization process.

As with offline Gmail, the service uses Google's Gears software to store a copy of the calendar data on a person's computer so it can accessed while the network is down. Unlike the Gmail version, new items can't be created or modified while offline.

Offline Gmail is available only in some English-speaking countries; it wasn't immediately clear how widespread offline Gmail Calendar access is.

(Via Google Operating System.)

Google explains what offline Google Calendar enables during the installation.
Google explains what offline Google Calendar enables during the installation. Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Google Calendar's offline features relies on Google's open-source Gears software.
Google Calendar's offline features relies on Google's open-source Gears software. Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET
Once installed, Google Calendar synchronizes its locally stored data with that on the Web site.
Once installed, Google Calendar synchronizes its locally stored data with that on the Web site. Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET