Mobile

Google says no official YouTube app for Windows Phone due to lack of "critical mass of users"

Vamien McKalin

By now, you should know of the problems between Microsoft and Google. Both companies have been at each other's throats for quite some time, but with the recent spat over the YouTube app that Microsoft created for its Windows Phone platform, it is clear this little battle will go on for some time.

Speaking at the D11 conference earlier, Google SVP Sundar Pichai said that the reason why Google hasn't created an official YouTube app for Windows Phone, is because the platform does not have a critical mass of users for the company to make any commitments. However, Pichai did not rule out Google apps coming to Windows Phone in the near future. He said, "If they get more users, we will make apps," which means the ball is now in Microsoft's court.

Google and Microsoft are now working together to bring a YouTube app to Windows Phone devices that follows the rules Google have put in place. The new app should come with advertisement, which is one of the reasons why Google had asked Microsoft to remove its app from the Windows Phone store.

Another reason Google requested the takedown was because of the name, which was the Official YouTube app, and also the fact Microsoft added the option to download videos, something that is deemed as illegal by Google.

Currently, the Microsoft-built app is not available in the Windows Phone store, so for those waiting for something official apart from what is already available, you'll have to wait until the new one made by Google and Microsoft is ready.

However, while you wait for the new app to make its way to the store, you can still get your YouTube fix. We recommend visiting the YouTube mobile site, or better yet, give apps like MetroTube or MyTube a shot. They are both great apps and should perform all the major tasks one expects from a YouTube app.

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