Microsoft crows over Google technology pact

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 10 Feb 2009 at 08:48

Microsoft has confirmed that arch rival Google has joined the ranks of companies licensing its technology.

In a rare technology pact between the
companies, Google has licensed Microsoft's ActiveSync technology for the Google Sync app, which allows users to synchronise their Gmail-based contact and calendar information with their smartphone.

The technology works with a range of smartphones including the iPhone, BlackBerry and anything running Windows Mobile.

However, while Google singularly fails to mention Microsoft's involvement on the blog post announcing the app, the Redmond giant has not been so shy, posting a special mention on its website.

"Google's licensing of these Microsoft patents relating to the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol is a clear acknowledgment of the innovation taking place at Microsoft," says Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing.

"This agreement is also a great example of Microsoft's openness to generally license our patents under fair and reasonable terms so long as licensees respect Microsoft intellectual property."

Google joins fellow heavyweights Nokia, Palm, Samsung and Sony Ericsson in licensing ActiveSync, with Apple joining the crowd only last year.

The application is currently in beta, with the company admitting there are still bugs to be worked out: "Since Sync is a two-way service, you can make changes on your phone or in your Google Account," says Bryan Mawhinney, software engineer for Google Mobile.

"Your calendar and contacts are always up-to-date, no matter where you are or what you're doing. Also, since your data is automatically backed up to your Google Account, it's securely stored even if you lose your phone."

Microsoft is launching its own mobile sync service, called My Phone, at the Mobile World Congress next week.