Windows Phone YouTube App Re-Launched Following Google Appeasement
In the middle of May, Microsoft received a nastygram from Google demanding that it pull its YouTube for Windows Phone app within one week due to certain issues with the app, namely the lack of advertisements and ability to download certain videos. Late that month, an agreement was struck betwixt the two companies, and today the app has been re-launched, adding advertisements into the mix.
The issues with the YouTube app for Windows Phone started with accusations from Microsoft's VP Dave Heiner back in January claiming that Google was intentionally harming Microsoft by preventing Windows Phone from having the same type of full-blow app that Android and iOS users had. "... We [at Microsoft] learned from YouTube that senior executives at Google told them not to enable a first-class YouTube experience on Windows Phone."
As such, Microsoft went ahead with creating its own YouTube app, allowing users the ability to download videos blocked from mobile viewing and sans advertisements. Google took issue with this and fired off a cease and desist letter, demanding that the app be removed. For its part, Microsoft then retorted with a somewhat passive-aggressive statement that it would be "more than happy" to include ads if Google would provide it with the APIs it needed.
Later that month, however, Microsoft decided to release a tweaked version of the app on Google's deadline rather than pull the app. The update took away the video downloading feature, but still did not include advertisements, something Microsoft said it would add as soon as Google decided to cooperate and provide it with the data it needed to do so.
Now the app has been re-launched, this time with Google's blessing and bringing with it some new features, including video uploading, voice search, and voice activation from the home screen.
Said a spokesperson to the folks over at The Verge: "We've released an updated YouTube app for Windows Phone that provides the great experience our consumers expect while addressing the concerns Google expressed in May, including the addition of ads. Google's support in ensuring that Windows Phone customers have a quality YouTube experience and look forward to continuing the collaboration."
SOURCE: The Verge