The updated app is getting dinged by unhappy users, but that's because Google is blocking the content due to a conflict with Microsoft. August 15, 2013 9:59 AM PDT The latest YouTube app for Windows Phone. (Credit: Microsoft) The new YouTube app for Windows Phone isn't going over too well. Microsoft got into trouble in May over its native YouTube app after Google complained that the app violated its terms of service. After hashing out their difficulties, the two companies were supposed to team up to create a new version based on HTML5. A new version did debut this past Tuesday, but apparently not the one that Google envisioned. Users chiming in at the new app's Windows Phone page are none too happy. Many are complaining that the updated app won't access any content and that it crashes, freezes, and delivers a message that "something went wrong and we don't know what." But the app's quirky behavior may have a simple explanation. Google is blocking its content. Why? The following statement sent to CNET from a YouTube spokesperson lays the blame at Microsoft's door: We're committed to providing users and creators with a great and consistent YouTube experience across devices, and we've been working with Microsoft to build a fully featured YouTube for Windows Phone app, based on HTML5. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead re-released a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service. It has been disabled. We value our broad developer community and therefore ask everyone to adhere to the same guidelines. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the same situation to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. "Google is blocking our updated YouTube app for Windows Phone," the rep said. "We are working with them to resolve the issue." A couple of obvious questions arise from this latest predicament. Why would Microsoft rerelease an app that got them into trouble in the first place? And what happened with the version that Microsoft and Google were supposedly working on together? Read the full CNET Review Windows Phone 8 The bottom line: Windows Phone 8 is absolutely worth using, especially if you enjoy a simpler, bolder interface. However, if you need a robust app selection now, stick with the more fully formed Android and iOS. Read Full Review
The updated app is getting dinged by unhappy users, but that's because Google is blocking the content due to a conflict with Microsoft.
The latest YouTube app for Windows Phone.
(Credit: Microsoft)
The new YouTube app for Windows Phone isn't going over too well.
Microsoft got into trouble in May over its native YouTube app after Google complained that the app violated its terms of service. After hashing out their difficulties, the two companies were supposed to team up to create a new version based on HTML5. A new version did debut this past Tuesday, but apparently not the one that Google envisioned.
Users chiming in at the new app's Windows Phone page are none too happy. Many are complaining that the updated app won't access any content and that it crashes, freezes, and delivers a message that "something went wrong and we don't know what."
But the app's quirky behavior may have a simple explanation. Google is blocking its content. Why?
The following statement sent to CNET from a YouTube spokesperson lays the blame at Microsoft's door:
We're committed to providing users and creators with a great and consistent YouTube experience across devices, and we've been working with Microsoft to build a fully featured YouTube for Windows Phone app, based on HTML5. Unfortunately, Microsoft has not made the browser upgrades necessary to enable a fully-featured YouTube experience, and has instead re-released a YouTube app that violates our Terms of Service. It has been disabled. We value our broad developer community and therefore ask everyone to adhere to the same guidelines.
A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the same situation to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. "Google is blocking our updated YouTube app for Windows Phone," the rep said. "We are working with them to resolve the issue."
A couple of obvious questions arise from this latest predicament. Why would Microsoft rerelease an app that got them into trouble in the first place? And what happened with the version that Microsoft and Google were supposedly working on together?
Windows Phone 8
The bottom line: Windows Phone 8 is absolutely worth using, especially if you enjoy a simpler, bolder interface. However, if you need a robust app selection now, stick with the more fully formed Android and iOS. Read Full Review
