Google caving in, working on a ‘fix’ to allow WP phones to access google maps

At the start of the weekend, there was a flurry of news about Google actively prohibiting their services onto Windows Phones.

• Google promoting Nokia Maps for WP as it blocks access to maps.google.com on Windows Phone

• http://mynokiablog.com/2013/01/04/google-purposely-blocking-youtube-access-to-windows-phone-google-senior-execs-do-not-want-first-class-experience-on-wp/

Whilst some sites said WP wasn’t able to use Google Maps in I.E. some others tested this, and showed that well, actually it does work as long as you switch the user agent to anything other than Windows Phone.

Though, Google does stand by the claims that maps didn’t work on WP so they sent all users to redirect.

The statement on he Next Web via engadget from Google:

“In our last test, IE mobile still did not offer a good maps experience with no ability to pan or zoom and perform basic map functionality. As a result, we chose to continue to redirect IE mobile users to Google.com where they could at least make local searches. The Firefox mobile browser did offer a somewhat better user experience and that’s why there is no redirect for those users”

Google also acknowledges recent improvements in I.E. Mobile. What recent improvements? All I recall is google maps suddenly not working.

Recent improvements to IE mobile and Google Maps now deliver a better experience and we are currently working to remove the redirect. We will continue to test Google Maps compatibility with other mobile browsers to ensure the best possible experience for users.

Cheers Arun for the heads up!

Category: Lumia, Nokia, Windows Phone