Comments on: Not Hot: Offline Web Applications

By: The Broken Link » I like AIR

The Broken Link » I like AIR — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:30:39 +0000

[...] Adobe AIR and Google Gears search trends [via Zemanta] [...]

By: The New New Browser Wars - GigaOM

The New New Browser Wars - GigaOM — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:59:40 +0000

[...] hybrid platforms that have launched or are about to be launched, I’ve decided that even if last year they were overhyped, this year we’re going to see real adoption and applications. But that presents an [...]

By: Adobe AIR & Its Hybrid App Dreams - GigaOM

Adobe AIR & Its Hybrid App Dreams - GigaOM — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:14:46 +0000

[...] December 2007, Anne Zelenka reminded us that despite all the hoopla, the initial attempts at hybrid apps didn’t prove to be all that [...]

By: nickev

nickev — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:59:04 +0000

The bottom line is that still major players like Google are working on desktop application. That’s the ultimate proof that an all online world is still way in the future.
Another nice example is this profile aggregator i use called 8hands, which is the nicest desktop tool and I would never even consider using it if it was web based.
In addition to all that, you can never forget programs that work on files from the HD which will take tons of time to make internet available in a HD speed.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:02:05 +0000

Daniel

i think you are right about missing something but when you get the service working on non-IE and non-Windows platforms, it be legitimate to include it in this discussion. For now it is a beta project. and a limited beta project at that.

By: Daniel Arthursson

Daniel Arthursson — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:32:46 +0000

You certainly missed XIOS/3, Xcerion's cloud OS, which makes all XML applications written for it also continue to work offline (even though the Cloud OS is delivered as a service over the Internet). Using the offline capabilities requires no installation or download of the user or developer. The cloud OS boots through the net, but seamlessly continuous to work offline.

This is the only SaaS that bridges the gap between the online and offline world without requiring desktop modifications or plugins from end users or extra development efforts of the application developers.

Applications written for the cloud OS becomes comparable in user experience to traditional desktop applications, but still haves all the benefits of being Internet applications.

How does it work? The cloud OS starts an XML Virtual Machine within the browser that runs and executes the applications locally (within the browser). Any data change creates local transactions in the OS transaction manager, which gets synchronized as soon as the OS gets a network connection again.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:44:05 +0000

The reason for the lack of growth or interest for offline RIA is because most companys are still figuring out how to get buziness value out of more consumer oriented technologies like wikis and blogs. Very few companies, and even less CIOs, are ready to take migrate true business applications to the Web. When they do however, probably within 6 to 12 months, they’ll need offline support. The Web is way too powerful of a computing platform not to leverage for business, but at the same time what happens to the poor service tech or salesperson sitting at a customers kitchen table with no Internet access. Adobe AIR, Google GEARS, and Nexaweb are just a few of the companies that seem to have started to offers solutions. Once good case study is Aflac Japan. You can read it here: (link)

By: nexuslex

nexuslex — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:48:03 +0000

Offline? No way !

By: 14 de diciembre de 2007

14 de diciembre de 2007 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:45:06 +0000

[...] Nos estamos llenando de aplicaciones web offline [...]

By: Joseph Pally

Joseph Pally — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:48:57 +0000

I have to agree with @jccodez: on the new look, Anna. The old one was much easier to read and like. Just minor suggestions that you could consider.

The column width in the new look is too wide (hence harder to read).
The rounded fuzzy rectangles in your old site for posts and comments seemed to contain the content visually - nicely.

I think your old site was one of the best to read. I honestly think the new look is not as good. In fact, I visit GigaOm maybe 3 times now, vs. 7 per week before. If it is thinner columns maybe I will red it 5 times per week, :-).

Please do not take my opinion negatively.

By: Joseph Pally

Joseph Pally — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:34:17 +0000

Internet access still isn’t ubiquitous - but it is just a matter of time.

Google Gears is a very minor and largely ineffective solution to a larger problem. It is just a stop-gap solution.

Offline apps are effective so far because they offer large set of features, advanced functionality (scripting, APIs, etc.), advanced graphics, structure, and data interchange. Adding collaboration to them is a piece of cake. MS Office can collaborate with anyone if MS just turns their MSN Messenger technology properly. They just have not done it yet - but it is extremely easy to do.

The biggest problem in offline (and online) apps is not collaboration. It is the segmentation of data and functions. Most folks have been taught that they should use a word-processor to create a document, presentation software to create slides, and spreadsheet to do serious math. This has created a culture that seeks .doc, .xls and .ppt files to convey their ideas. The online mimics have been similarly fragmented.

http://web3next.blogspot.com/2007/11/blending-of-data-and-omni-functionality.html - discusses Omni-Functionality - delivered over the web. We are not in the 1990s with Windows 98 anymore. We are on a web that has more space, horsepower, connectivity, information and storage than any individual's PC.

Seamless web is on.

By: William

William — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:56:20 +0000

Alan,

"AIR is a cross-OS runtime environment for building Rich Internet Applications. The keyword is Internet hence ruling out offline."

Having developed several AIR applications, I have to say I disagree. It IS most certainly a tool for bringing web apps to the desktop

By: John Dowdell

John Dowdell — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:13:17 +0000

Desktop apps are quite a bit more than the ability to work while unconnected.

The ability to share data with other local apps is big... desktop notifications are as ripe an area as occasional connectivity... local file access is, of course, a significant reason to go beyond the browser model's necessities.

Trend lines might be more useful after general delivery to the real world.

jd/adobe

By: Francois

Francois — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:41:29 +0000

You raise very good points in your post. Concerning the online/offline capability, what is crucial is not to be always connected, but to always have access to the data, whether connected or not. If I loose the network connection during a conference, if I am sitting in a plane, if I am in an hotel with a very slow connection, I want access to my data, I want to be as productive as if I had my office’s or home’s connection. The switch from online to offline should be transparent for the user. Data should just synchronize while online and being localized for offline use.
The other point you raise is about “hybrid web/desktop application not gaining momentum”. I think this is because every single application is looked at individually. Making a web app working locally is not just about localizing the data and the application, but it should integrate a better user experience. This has been done successfully for a few applications like the Time Reader, eBay desktop… The hybrid application should also integrate all web benefits like social experience. And mail + messenger cannot replace the web social platforms.
To conclude, I am not sure people are happy, but they found different ways to work around it. They adapt to the situation. And this will remain until the “hybrid” experience is brought to the next level.

By: Anne Zelenka

Anne Zelenka — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:11:15 +0000

@Clay: I didn’t claim to be doing exhaustive research. I’ve noticed there’s a lot less talk of RIAs and hybrid web/desktop and offline web apps this December compared to last. I’ve noticed that Google isn’t doing much with offline. I’ve noticed that announcements of offline access didn’t get all that much attention. The Google Trends graph is just one way to check into that. Compare that to the Facebook trend (up — up — up) and you’ll see a huge difference.

You say current apps aren’t compelling… is there one you think would be? My not-so-exhaustive research was aimed at hearing what GigaOM readers are wishing for in terms of offline web access.

@Alan: Adobe AIR lets you repurpose web stuff — Flash and HTML — to the desktop. Is that an “offline web app”? Sure could be, depending on your definition of such. These terms, including RIA, don’t have some god-given meaning.

@jccodez: kryptonite on your eyes? I like the new look, what about it bothers you?

By: Jens

Jens — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:46:57 +0000

The only worthwhile offline web app I have seen so far is the Beatport.com AIR-based downloader.