The next big revision of HTML, HTML5, is on the horizon, promising a whole host of new conveniences, including offline support for popular Web applications–something you’re already familiar with if you’re using the Google Gears browser add-on.

In a statement to the L.A. Times via email, a Google spokesperson confirmed that Google is shifting its focus away from Gears toward HTML5, and encourages developers to do so, too. This means that while they’re looking forward to a time when users can enjoy an offline-supported Web experience courtesy of HTML5, they’re “letting the sun set on its Gears project.”

Part of the shift in focus pertains to Google’s Chrome browser. While Google Chrome for PC includes Gears, the Mac version (which should be released any day now) won’t support the program. Apparently, there were technical issues that would make using Gears in Chrome for Mac problematic, especially since Gears isn’t compatible with the Snow Leopard operating system.

The following is the original statement from Google, as well as a subsequent assertion made after the L.A. Times published their story:

“We are excited that much of the technology in Gears, including offline support and geolocation APIs, are being incorporated into the HTML5 spec as an open standard supported across browsers, and see that as the logical next step for developers looking to include these features in their websites.”

“We’re continuing to support Gears so that nothing breaks for sites that use it. But we expect developers to use HTML5 for these features moving forward as it’s a standards-based approach that will be available across all browsers.”

Bottom line: Google Gears will continue to work for existing PC users, but Mac users running Snow Leopard may not get offline support for Web applications until HTML5 makes it debut. The article does point out, however, that Apple software developer David Hyatt is also an editor on the HTML5 specification, so there is an expectation that HTML5 could be made available to Mac browsers before the new language is even finalized.

Image from justinsomnia on Flickr

Tags: apple, David Hyatt, google gears, HTML5, LA Times, mac, pc

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Google to Retire Gears in Favor of HTML5