Google’s quest to reach the billion or so people in the world who still can’t connect to the Internet has produced several novel wireless technologies to make up for slow or poor networks.

One big idea coming later this year will allow Google Maps to work offline, according to a Google executive in remarks made Thursday. Once a map is downloaded over a slower wireless connection, it can be stored and still function in many of the ways it would with a network connection — a user would still be able to find locations on the stored map, including reviews of stores and their opening hours.

“Google is committed to making our products work well for the next billion” people wanting Internet connections, said Jen Fitzpatrick, vice president of product management for Google Maps during the Google I/O keynote on Thursday. She didn’t offer many details on Google Maps running offline, but described the idea at a high level.

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