Google Blocking Maps.Google.com from working on Windows Phone

Posted by: Clinton Jeff Posted date: January 05, 2013 In: News, Windows Phone

If Google blocking Microsoft’s access to YouTube, and stopping EAS support wasnt enough, Windows Phone users now cant even use Google Maps.

Not that there is an official Google Maps client out for Windows Phone, since Google made it clear they werent making any apps for the platform. Instead, if you visit Maps.Google.com on Internet Explorer on Windows Phone, it redirects you to Google.com/m instead, which is the mobile home page of Google Search. D’oh.

Speculation is that this might be purposefully done, because if you change the user agent on IE on WP to anything else, it works just fine. Then again it might also just be a random bug with Google’s detection of mobile browsers too, but hey it’s always fun to go with the more drama-filled rumor, heh.

In the meanwhile, you still have Nokia’s awesome Here Maps on all Windows Phone 8 devices which does a great job.

Google issued a statement over it today, though:

[quote_simple]The mobile web version of Google Maps is optimized for WebKit browsers such as Chrome and Safari. However, since Internet Explorer is not a WebKit browser, Windows Phone devices are not able to access Google Maps for the mobile web.[/quote_simple]

Which doesnt explain why Google Maps worked fine on IE Mobile before. Microsoft responded saying:

[quote_simple]Internet Explorer in Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 use the same rendering engine.[/quote_simple]

Grab the popcorn folks, cause it looks like 2013 is going to be all about Google vs Microsoft.

via

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About The Author

Clinton Jeff

Clinton is currently based in New Delhi, India and is executive editor for UnleashThePhones. He is responsible for all editorial decisions, and covers all forms of Mobile and mobile-related accessories. Cj is addicted to caffeine, social media, and technology. Always up for a good conversation, you can reach him through the contact form, his website, on Google Plus , Instagram or on Facebook or Twitter: Follow @clintonjeff

Number of Entries : 10082

http://www.facebook.com/people/Mika-Peltokorpi/100001600711231 Mika Peltokorpi

Google search, google finance and now google maps. Google seems to be the same strategy as with Symbian. Technically possible to use, but there is no willingless to allow or they render the UX beyond awfull.
If Nokia goes bonkers, Navteq could be interesting acquision target for Google. Just do evil.
Jay

No need google maps in WP8. Nokia maps and other location services are good enough. Google seems like taking WP8 a threat! which is obvious.
Lumia

Who needs Google Maps?Nokia has best maps!!Ty
Peace of crap

Typical from google. Last year google made some changes, which prevents me from logging in to my google account using the browser in my Nokia C5 phone. It used to work fine before.