Google-Approved YouTube App Released for Windows Phone 8

Update: Google has done it again. Check out Microsoft Wins the High Ground in War with Google for an update to this little episode in which Google, once again, is blocking the YouTube app for Windows Phone. --Paul

Microsoft on Wednesday published a new version of the official YouTube app for Windows Phone 8. This new app version has been made with Google's blessing and includes two major changes from the version that was my app pick back in May: It includes in-video Google ads and no longer allows users to download videos.

Check out Windows Phone 8 App Pick: YouTube for my thoughts about the original version of this app. Honestly, the two changes implemented in the new version shouldn’t materially impact the experience for most people. You know, aside from the ads.

Here's how Microsoft explains it.

"We’ve released an updated YouTube app for Windows Phone that provides the great experience our consumers expect while addressing the concerns Google expressed in May, including the addition of ads," a Microsoft statement notes. "We appreciate Google’s support in ensuring that Windows Phones customers have a quality YouTube experience and look forward to continuing the collaboration."

Honestly, it's still a great app, and I had never even really noticed the downloading feature that initially set off Google. (See Larry Page Blames Microsoft for Rift with Googlefor the gory details.) As you may recall, Microsoft first tried to fix the app to appease Google and then Google finally announced that they'd actually work with Microsoft to get it right.

So here we are.

Beyond the changes noted above, the app looks and works as before. Which is just great: It's a great app.

As before, you can download YouTube for Windows Phone 8 from the Windows Phone Store.