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Google Demands Microsoft Pull YouTube App For WP8
First time accepted submitter exomondo writes "Google has given Microsoft until May 22nd to pull their Windows Phone 8 YouTube app from the marketplace and disable it on customer devices. It not only includes a built-in ad blocker but also allows users to download videos and doesn't impose device-specific streaming restrictions outlined in the YouTube Terms Of Service. A Microsoft spokesperson said in part: 'YouTube is consistently one of the top apps downloaded by smartphone users on all platforms, but Google has refused to work with us to develop an app on par with other platforms. Since we updated the YouTube app to ensure our mutual customers a similar YouTube experience, ratings and feedback have been overwhelmingly positive. We'd be more than happy to include advertising but need Google to provide us access to the necessary APIs. In light of Larry Page's comments today calling for more interoperability and less negativity, we look forward to solving this matter together for our mutual customers.'"
I predict Microsoft will lose, and lose hard.
They don't have an inherent right to access youtube. It's not in the constitution.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
If this it what will take Microsoft to get more traction in the mobile market, so be it.
A Youtube client that blocks ads and allows downloads, what else could we ask for??
Who's being evil now???
Wow. So Microsoft is mad because someone else won't give them details on a closed API?
What a difference a decade makes. How's it feel, Microsoft?
So Microsoft appears to have made the perfect youtube client? Sonofabitch. When I had limited mobile data, I dreamed for a simple youtube client that could cache several videos for off-line or repeated watching. Of course, Apple won't build a client like - they would rather you not even know youtube existed so you would just buy iTunes everything.
Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
Microsoft strongarms phone manufacturers on unknown patent claims that android supposedly infringes but when they infringe ToS from Google and are told to change or remove the app, they say it's just Google not wanting to play ball. Good job Microsoft...
If only they'd apply the same open-minded fervor to stuff like .docx, directx and a million other things under their wings...
If you quote this signature there'll be 72 copies of Windows ME waiting for you in Heaven.
I think Google is just dishing out a little of my MS has been for years. I'm sure the end result will be Google will allow MS to use YouTube, but I still find it a little funny that finally someone can jerk MS around for being dicks for the last 20 some years.
I wonder if this will become a humorous on-going issue like it was with WebOS and iTunes. I suppose it depends on how far Google is willing to go to keep YouTube API closed off from Windows Phone users. A change here, and updated app chasing it... Perhaps concluding in a long drawn out lawsuit?
I know it can't be helpful for establishing goodwill between the companies. MS may be able to get away with it, but if they hadn't tickled the dragon's tail, maybe we'd eventually see some more genuine Google apps on the platform.
So all 6 WM8 customers are happy. Good on them.
Doesn't Google get it? Microsoft is ABOVE all rules and standards.
What a joke. If Google wasn't living up to a Microsoft EULA the whining from Redmond would be unbearable where I am at from Indiana.
While there is cross-corporation wank going on here it does seem that Microsoft arrogance is coming out here again.
It's not googles decision to block the content, it's the content owners. Google has been taken to court by big media and have requirements they must meet to allow content owners to restrict access. As far as I remember if google are to continue providing video with big media they have to actively stop clients that download music. This isn't google trying to screw you, it's **AA...
If I was witty I'd put something funny here but, as it stands, I am not and have just wasted seconds of your life
That's not Google's doing. It's the video uploader that chooses whether to allow mobile views or not.
The Internet King? I wonder if he could provide faster nudity.
Or redirects all WM8 clients to goat porn.
Except you know, being Google's service they have to cover the cost of streaming those video files. It's perfectly reasonable for them to have ads to help cover the cost.
It's not Google's job to develop the app for Microsoft; nor is it Google's responsibility to help Microsoft maintain a "consistent customer experience". It's *Microsoft's responsibility* to follow the YouTube TOS. I have a feeling their "overwhelmingly positive feedback" is going to flip into "overwhelmingly negative feedback" when Google starts blocking WP8 devices. This is just a baby crying because they can't have their way and was caught with their hand in the cookie jar. 'nuff said.
I thought his vocal cords were paralyzed??
I actually do think there is a major difference here, that being that it's a part of the original ap and not an add on. When ad blocking is an add on (like adblocker) it is quite obviously the user's choice and it isn't a corporate decision.
It also guarantees that a certain percentage of people will see the ads. For instance I deal with people who in my line of work that get amazed when you show them their O.S. has a built in calculator program. They don't have enough smarts or knowledge to put in an ad blocker or, god forbid, edit a hosts file!
Most of the posts here are making arguments and suggesting actions that were exactly the same as the ones that generated loud complaints on Slashdot when it was about Microsoft using proprietary crap to lock out Linux/Open Source.
I don't like Microsoft at all, but supporting Google acting more like them is no answer either.
Microsoft is violating Google's terms of service, which according to the DOJ is a felony covered under the CFAA.
If it was applicable to Aaron Swartz ...
Don't forget the content creators earn money through those advertisements. Essentially bypassing the ads, rips of the artists directly (if you can call YouTube creators that) and cost Google money directly for streaming for free. I can't imagine the RIAA and the MPAA are looking at Microsoft with warm regards at this moment either. This is Napster territory.
It's not googles decision to block the content, it's the content owners.
I have content on YouTube. It's even CC licensed (unfortunately with their limited license choice). I want people who did something wrong in their past life and are now forced to use Windows Phone to be able to access my content, and preferably be able to download it too.
Perhaps Google needs to add another knob.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
Google hasn't sued anyone yet, they've set a deadline but it's not clear what action Google can take. There are several, including:
* Find ways to block the app
* Embed ads in the raw video
* Complete on-going switch to codecs Microsoft doesn't want to support
* Place a "Windows serial number generator" on the front page of Google.com
Is Microsoft doing right by users? That depends on whether their actions completely undermine YouTube or not. I'd like to think that the ability to download movies wouldn't damage the service, but one can reasonably suggest that without revenue from ads, YouTube isn't going to continue to be viable, and that users would be harmed more by the disappearance of YouTube.
Still, it's Windows Phone, so I doubt that all eight Lumia owners are going to bankrupt Google by depriving them of advertizing revenue...
You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
Why doesn't Microsoft make their own "MicroTube" video website, with a download button, no advertising, in the free VP8 format,(maybe also stop threatening with patent lawsuits about that coded) and serve it for free (including oodles of cache space bought from Akamai)?
Customers would flock to this, I'm sure. Google now has the network effect on its side with YouTube, but if MicroTube gives better value to its customers than that might slowly change.
Maybe the name "MicroTube" sucks (heh) and they can call it "ReallyPlaysForSureForeverBecauseYouCanDownloadItWithoutDRM" or something.
To be, or not to be: isn't that quite logical, Slashdot Beta?
I believe 90% of Slashdot is having a 'Christian Scientist with appendicitis' moment.
There are two levels here. First, did Microsoft develop an app that users will like? Yep, sure, no question (as long as it lasts).
Second: are these users merely pawns in one battle of Microsoft's War on Google, or has Microsoft turned over a new leaf and embraced openness and Free Culture?
The answer to the second question gives clues to the motivations for the first. I'll give 9:1 odds that this app was only dreamed up as a negotiating piece for something Microsoft wants from Google. That's only a historical perspective - how I'd love to lose that bet, but I don't expect to.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
Yeah, 2 of those users bought their phones last month, that's 50% growth in a month! Eat that Apple. (my intention is not to request that you eat an Apple)
If you think someone isn't free to have a different definition of "freedom" you may be a tyrant.
"So we wanted to take content from Google and strip off the revenue-generating part of it and pass it off to our customers, but Google wouldn't roll over on our demands. So we're just going to take it anyway. Oh what's this? It looks like Google is going to sue us for violating the TOS that they refused to change just for us. Well, maybe now they'll be willing to roll over and play by our rules!"
Idiots. Don't you know you can't be a bully and get away with it unless you're bigger than the other guy? I hope Google gives them the bloody nose they so desperately deserve.
I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
WTF? They're not blocking anything. You do know that the ads aren't part of the video stream right? Microsoft made a client that contacts Google's servers and sends a properly formed request saying "Hey send me that video of the two cats fucking on the stove" and Google's server then sends a video of two cats fucking on the stove to the client which displays it to the end user. Google's complaint is that the client isn't also asking for ads.
If people want to talk karma they should be remembering Google's mass copyright violations wrt. Google's book scanning project, or the news agencies' complaints about Google's news aggregation project that strips away the ad revenue from the actual content producers, or Google's video streaming site (I mean youtube in this case) that hosts tremendous amounts of copyright material -- and Google's response is "The mallets are over there, have fun playing whack-a-mole." Or Perfect 10's complaint that Google facilitates copyright violators stealing P10's pictures.
Yes, but slashdotters don't understand one simple thing:
COMPANIES ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS.
They blame MS for being/having been evil, sleazy, monopolistic and any other adjective they can throw at them. Google is "good" because they give us free stuff. And that free stuff is also good. "Boohoo microsoft was once mean to me and i hate them. The googly is my BFF 3".
They don't see that google is as monopolistic as they come. Buying everyone. And anyone they can't buy, they compete and put out of business. They own search, video distribution (in a sleazy way that pays fractions of a cent to "authors"), mobile communications, location, maps, google street view. They can (and do) go through your email. There's google voice so they can (and they do) listen to your phone. And a million things more.
But Google will, sooner or later, become "evil". Of course, a company can't be "evil". A company just "is". Larry/Sergei (assuming they're the "gooddoers") won't be at the top forever, and the top will, someday, change. The new management will see the kind of stuff they're sitting on. Half the planet's names, locations, browsing habits, call logs, emails, EVERYTHING you can ever dream of. How do we know they won't sell it to Syria, Russia or Thailand? For all we know, they give it up for free to the US government.
You can be friends with Joe Mechanic, the guy that's been fixing your car for the past 20 years, and you know he's honest and he's never failed you. Joe Mechanic is a person. Google is not. Microsoft is not. Any "BRAND" is NOT your friend.
So, in short. Companies aren't people. They can't be your friends. When you deal with a company, you do it in their own terms. Use them. Abuse them as much as you can, and move on to the next one. If someone else comes up with a better deal, go with them and don't look back. Don't let "20 years of good service" get in the way. It wouldn't matter to them (google pulls the plug in any services they want, whenever they want to). This is not being evil. This is just doing business. Just like when you switch brands in the supermarket.
When you start out at essentially 0 users, you will always be the fastest growing. That is as meaningful as Kin was the fastest growing Windows phone a few years ago.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
There's no goat porn on youtube! I mean... that's what I heard... from a guy I know.
Google isn't a fucking leaf of openness and free culture, for fuck's sake!
Want GMAIL OFFLINE? Well, get chrome. The "labs" plugin, which did that for firefox, has been removed. FUCK YOU FIREFOX!! HAHAHA!!!
Want to play hidden Angry Birds levels? Well, get chrome. They will appear if you do. FUCK YOU FOREFOX!! HAHAHA!!!
How in fucking earth are people letting this shit pass with Google? Ah yes, people are easily brived with free stuffs. As long as they are providing search and mail and youtube, Google is good even if they're killing seals or exploting children in africa.
As with anything else: take as much as you can for as long as you can, then when they want to charge you, move on to the next one. Welcome to real life.
Hey! I said there were 6 users. Why are you selling them short?
In all seriousness it doesn't matter what we post here, the market is deciding WM8 fate. A few cheap jabs here aren't going to make a difference as a whole. Besides Linux and Mac users have been putting up with the same cheap jabs for years now.
Let it slide and enjoy the ride.
http://xkcd.com/1102/
Yup...fastest growing...