Microsoft has updated its YouTube app for devices running its Windows Phone operating system—but the update is anything but.
Users of Windows Phone complained the latest version of the YouTube app, 3.2, would direct them to the browser for a basic, "barebones" YouTube experience.
"Unfortunately, the app has reverted back to its old web-player days, meaning if you click a YouTube link in email, MMS messages, etc. it will open YouTube in the browser. In fact, tapping the installed YouTube icon on your phone will simply redirect you to m.youtube.com for that not so premier experience," Windows Phone Central reported.
This meant "no more downloads, no more account management (without logging in), no notifications—just the barebones experience," WP Central added.
WP Central said this came months after a spat between Microsoft and Google over a YouTube app Microsoft developed for Windows Phone.
"Microsoft appeared to play by Google’s rules in making an app for their customers, but Google said it wasn’t good enough. Despite the differences, Microsoft famously released the app anyway to see what would happen. As it turns out, Google was none too happy and remotely killed the app through its access key," it said.
It added that if Microsoft is working on an official app, it may have to be in HTML5 Google wants for Windows Phone.
Should that be the case, WP Central said it may take "months before we see it land on the Store, if at all."
But for now, the site advised Windows Phone users to use third-party options like MetroTube, myTube or PrimeTube. — TJD, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
