When Microsoft updated their YouTube app for Windows Phone last week, users rejoiced as the public tiff between Google and Microsoft had seemingly come to an end. However, a closer look revealed that not everything was as good as it seemed in the Google-Microsoft realm: the updated app offered no advertising and allowed for the downloading of YouTube videos, two major breaches of YouTube API. For those wondering why Microsoft would violate the ToS in such an explicit way, four words can sum up the entire ordeal. It was a trap, the kind of which amphibious space creatures yell about all the time.
After ordering a cease-and-desist of the application this afternoon, Google found itself in an imbroglio with Microsoft. Google requested that Microsoft “immediately withdraw this application from the Windows Phone Store and disable existing downloads of the application by Wednesday, May 22, 2013.” Microsoft then countered with this statement, referencing CEO Larry Page’s comments earlier today about cooperation and positivity in the technology industry.
“We’d be more than happy to include advertising but need Google to provide us access to the necessary APIs. In light of Larry Page’s comments today calling for more interoperability and less negativity, we look forward to solving this matter together for our mutual ”
Thus, Microsoft has effectively lured Google into further Windows Phone development and cooperation, a risky strategic move that could potentially pay off. Google has avoided developing for Windows Phone in the past, but this counter could lead to further interest for the platform and the arrival of Google apps.
In the growing strategic games and competition between Google and Microsoft, onlookers may wonder when the user will be placed first. But the games are only beginning, and that time doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon.
