Google Pulls The Plug On Gears

via TechCrunchBack in 2007 Google put out Gears, a way for Browsers to interact with a computer in ways that were otherwise impossible. For example, Google Gears heralded the offline use of GMail. Well, in 2010, many of these features can be duplicated, or even improved, through other means like HTML5. As of this week, Google is killing off Google Gears for Safari with Firefox and IE still supported, but sure to follow close behind. Google realizes that even though many modern browsers support much of the functionality of Gears, there isn't yet a smooth way to transition from Gears to modern implements, but they assure us that it's soon to come. Developers working in Gears, it might be time for you to think about other platforms.

Firefox Mobile Now Available On Maemo

After plenty of talk about it, Firefox Mobile is now a reality. It's only available for Nokia's Maemo platform from the get-go, but support for other platforms is on the way. It's built to function like its big brother for the desktop all the way down to add-on availability, which is a truly stirring proposition, and I'm sorry to say, one that has never crossed my mind. Firefox Mobile is also sporting all the latest and greatest in mobile browser tech like full HTML5 support and some great platform-agnostic usability features that make Safari on the iPhone and Dolphin Browser on Android look a little clunky. Plus, with support for Weave, mobile and desktop data can by synced down to the bookmark.

Given how much time they've spent on this release, and the fact that they're still taking their time to get it right, I'm looking forward to the Android release. Meanwhile, if you're on a Nokia N900 or N810, you can head here to get your download on. Either way, head to Mozilla and check out the video for a full run-down.