Google withdraws more services from Windows – now will no longer support ActiveSync

Google is dropping support for ActiveSync for all new accounts, switching to “open” protocols which are not supported on Windows and Windows Phone.

Their announcement reads as follows:

Google Sync was designed to allow access to Google Mail, Calendar and Contacts via the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® protocol. With the recent launch of CardDAV, Google now offers similar access via IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV, making it possible to build a seamless sync experience using open protocols. Starting January 30, 2013, consumers won’t be able to set up new devices using Google Sync; however, existing Google Sync connections will continue to function. Google Sync will continue to be fully supported for Google Apps for Business, Government and Education. Users of those products are unaffected by this announcement.

The synching service will continue to work for existing accounts, but will mean when users connect their new Windows Phone or Windows tablet their Google calendar will be inaccessible, and they will not have a push email experience on IMAP.

IOS, which supports CalDAV and CardDAV will remain unaffected, and Google will continue to offer the service to business users, suggesting Google may be targeting Windows consumers directly.

Do our readers think the cold war between Microsoft and Google has just heated up a few degrees.

Via ZDNET.com