UPDATE:Has Google blocked Windows Phone users from its maps.google.com site? While it might appear that way, it now seems that Internet Explorer never did support the site. But that still begs the question, why? And while no recent changes were made to block Windows Phone users from the Google Maps web site, the latter has worked on WebKit enabled browsers, not Internet Explorer. If no changes were made, and Google has blocked Windows Phone users from using its applications like YouTube, it still could be due to hard feelings between the two companies. So instead of saying that Google blocked Windows Phone from maps.google.com, perhaps the more accurate way to portray what happened is to say that Google is not supporting Windows Phone for its apps.
In the old days, Google Maps had an app for Windows Mobile
Google already has been preventing Windows Phone users from having the ability to experience the apps that Google has to offer Android and iOS users. Take YouTube. The video streaming site has a native app available for iOS and Android devices while those using Windows Phone must turn to a third party app like MetroTube or use the mobile YouTube website.
Google now has ratcheted things up to the next level by blocking Windows Phone 7.8 and Windows Phone 8 users from using the browser on their phone to access maps.google.com. Even if your phone is set up in desktop mode, those trying to go to the maps.google.com web site will be redirected to Google's mobile search page. What is weird is that over in the U.K., maps.google.co.uk still works.
As tough as the Microsoft-Google rivalry is, the Apple-Samsung one might be even more venomous. Still, we wonder if Google has shoot itself in the foot by not allowing an entire platform to access its work.
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: