Google backs down, will re-enable Google Maps access for Windows Phone

Google backs down, will re-enable Google Maps access for Windows Phone

January 5, 2013 | By Surur

Google has issued a statement to The Next Web in which they claimed their recent decision to place a redirect in place was based on testing with older versions of Windows Phone, and that they have now re-evaluated their decision based on “recent improvements in IE Mobile”.

They said:

We periodically test Google Maps compatibility with mobile browsers to make sure we deliver the best experience for those users.

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.

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.

Given the scale of Google it is somewhat laughable that they did not test their maps on IE10 Mobile before making their decision, making their statement, as one commenter mentioned, sound like "bullshit".

Of course the main outcome is that when Google was exposed as a liar they were forced to back down, meaning that the outcry served a very important purpose, and when we are wronged we should never just accept it in silence.

As of this time of writing the redirect is still in place – on wonders if and when Google will lift it, and the quality of the product we will find at the other side.

Are our readers happy with the outcome? Let us know below.