I hope Google thinks beyond the browser, Chrome or another. Using Adobe AIR or anything that can give me and others a lightweight, multi-platform application that can access our cloud data (and our preferred user settings).

I wonder if Prism will give you what you want.

Maybe not, if you’re thinking how TweetDeck provides features you don’t get using Twitter online. Those new features have to come from somewhere/one. But then again, maybe there are Firefox extensions for Gmail, etc., that you’ll add to a Prism version of Gmail that you keep out of your browser in general.

I think Google agrees with you. From what I can tell, the are building Chrome not so much to be a browser, but to (ultimately) be an operating system of sorts. Apparently (and I may very well be wrong), each tab is a separate system process – meaning a crash of one tab won’t affect others. With technologies like Google Gears and HTML 5 (offline storage), Google probably hopes they will soon have enough of a software stack to replace Windows, especially at the very low end (netbooks). So yes, I imagine there will be a desktop GMail client. It just might not be a Windows-based one ;-

I definitely do see your points, and I also like the clarifications from other commenters here.

I found your example of Twhirl (and similar AIR apps) interesting and a bit problematic, though. I can’t imagine this being a native limitation of the AIR platform, but in all the apps I’ve tried, I have to re-enter all my settings on my two desktops and laptop separately. For instance, I initially tried out Tweetdeck, but quickly balked when I realized that I’d have to specify friend-groups separately on each computer… and on an ongoing basis, too.

Could apps like this sync settings (and read/unread status and such) to the cloud? Sure. But then you’re once again depending upon a central server, with all the connection/privacy/other baggage that entails.

Sorry if your serious about doing stuff online some one who’s doing business who doesn’t set up and use a proper email address is a sign of a dilettante or as Dogbert would put it a Luser or a “Sub” in oldskool Telco terms.

Use a Gmail address as away for you to access your mail remotely or as a throw away address is ok but as your only address the sign of a rank amateur.

Btw if you think this sounds arrogant its not like I quote my phone/telex numbers in X.400 form 1 variant 3 anymore

Try using Postbox (http://www.postbox-inc.com/) if you want an experience that is similar to Gmail’s web interface

However, what struck me is the “datum” that those who worry about Google tracking them would no longer have a concern using a client version email. I fail to see that. I think there still is quite a bit to worry about still.

I also don’t find Chrome as strikingly impressive as Matt states often. I use it for speed purposes sometimes. Generally however, I stick with Firefox and I also use IE8 for some purposes. Each have their advantages.