Microsoft reverts YouTube Windows Phone app back to old Web player release, ends Google’s eight-week block
It looks like the YouTube for Windows Phone saga is finally over: Google has forced Microsoft’s hand, pushing the company to revert the app to its previous all but useless state. Discussions between Microsoft and Google must have broken down, and now Windows Phone users have received the basic YouTube experience they had previously: a Web player.
As pointed out by WPCentral, Microsoft today released version 3.2 of YouTube for Windows Phone. Whether you open the app or tap a YouTube link somewhere in Microsoft’s mobile operating system, it will open YouTube in the browser by directing you to m.youtube.com.
You can download the new version now directly from the Windows Phone Store. If you’re on an older version, we recommend you stick to it for as long as possible.
For those who missed the whole fiasco, here’s a quick rundown. It all started back on May 7, when Microsoft released a completely redesigned YouTube app with native playback and the following features:
- Pin any video, playlist, channel, and search queries to Live Tiles.
- Manage your YouTube profile with your unique My YouTube page.
- Manage your playlists, uploads, and video lists.
- Find channels, videos, and playlists with the quick access search bar.
- Share videos to your social networks, e-mail, and text messages.
- Let your kids watch safe videos in Kid’s Corner and keep their own profile.
The app also included extra features such as being able to download videos from the site, and no ads. On May 15, Google sent Microsoft a cease-and-desist letter regarding its YouTube app, pointing out the company had violated some of YouTube’s terms of service. Google requested that Microsoft either block or pull the YouTube app from the Windows Phone Store by May 22.
On May 22, Microsoft released an updated app with the download functionality removed. Google responded by blocking the app. In August, Microsoft updated its app to enable ads, but Google blocked it again.
Google claimed Microsoft is required to build an HTML5 app, even though the YouTube app for Android and iOS are native apps. It’s not clear if Microsoft is indeed working on such an app, but if it is, it’s certainly not ready yet.
In this ending, both Google and Microsoft have lost, but the real loser is the user.
Top Image Credit: Eric Piermont/Getty Images
