Google's new product, called Google Gears, allows their existing range of products to still work even if internet connection is absent. Services like e-mail, calendars, news readers, or even word processing or spreadsheets are going to be included. Google News Reader is the first to be included in Google Gears. Once word processor or spreadsheet are included, it could change how people currently work. Microsoft is threatened.
http://googlereader.blogspot.com/2007/05/oh-sam-i-am-can-i-read-it-on-tram.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2139334,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121
