Gmail Can Now Be Used Without an Internet Connection

Having no Internet connection doesn't mean you have to be completely without email (sorry, people who like to get away from it all). If you're a Gmail user, Google has just announced that you can use Gmail while offline, thanks to a new feature in Labs.

Once you enable offline Gmail, Google Gears downloads a cache of your mail; then, when you have a crappy connection or none at all, Gmail can switch to offline mode. Send and receive messages (they get put in your outbox and then are sent when Gmail detects a connection) and use other Gmail features as if you're online.

It's not going to get you online when you're in a remote jungle, but it sounds great for times when you keep losing your connection and are getting frustrated. Check under Labs if you want to try it out (although it's not yet available for everyone, so be patient).