GOOGLE HAS plans to add its mail and calendar applications to the growing list of developments using Google Gears.

This is according to the unofficial Google Operating System blog.

Google Gears allows the (limited) off-line use of web applications, i.e. meaning you may utilise your Gmail and Google Calendar applications without the need for Internet access.

It hasn't come as much of a surprise to some users - in the past few months, Google accidentally enabled the option in Google Calendar and users had repeatedly seen Gears-related information pop-up.

It is expected that the functionality will be available within six
weeks.

Google will add Syncml support for Gmail contacts next month. Andrew Fogg is quoted as saying he believes "related to the sync that they worked on Apple's 3G Iphone".

He continued, "Syncml is most commonly thought of as a method to synchronize contact and calendar information between some type of handheld device and a computer (personal, or network-based service), such as between a mobile phone and a personal computer."

It seems integration with Apple's Iphone (and maybe that of Google's own Android) is a top priority for Google staffers.

On another tack, Google also announced that it's Docs service now comes with lots of pretty templates for you to play with. µ