Google has just made it a little harder for Gmail users on rival platforms to synchronize their important Google-related stuff by dropping support for Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync. As you know, Exchange ActiveSync or EAS is a protocol that is designed to sync email, contacts, calendar, tasks, and notes from a messaging server to a mobile device. Ending support for EAS means that new non-Android devices, particularly Windows Phone devices and Windows 8 devices, can no longer access Gmail and other Google services.
Microsoft has already expressed its disappointment last month, saying that the company was very surprised by Google’s decision. Today, Microsoft has confirmed to The Verge that Windows Phone users can still sync Gmail via IMAP. In a statement, Microsoft writes, “Like many, we are surprised and disappointed that Google wants to make it more difficult for customers to connect their accounts to their devices. If you want better email, especially for your phone or tablet, now is a perfect time to join the millions who have already made the choice to upgrade to Outlook.com. Windows Phone users will still be able to sync their Google email via IMAP.”