<p>Gosh, it seems like only a few months ago that Google and Microsoft were happily working together on Windows 8. Back in September, I published instructions on how to connect your free Gmail account and Google Calendar and Contacts to Windows 8's built-in communications suite, the Mail/People/Contacts/Messaging apps. You end up with live tiles like these on your Start screen, with notifications of new messages and upcoming appointments appearing as they arrive:</p><p>But as of January 30, 2013, you will no longer be able to do that. That's the bottom line for Windows 8 and RT users from Google's announcement yesterday that it is dropping support for Google Sync for customers who use its free Gmail and Google Apps services. Google Sync is Google's implementation of the Exchange ActiveSync protocol, which it licensed from Microsoft in 2009. As of early next year, it will be an option for paid Google Apps customers only.</p><p>See also: Google drops Exchange ActiveSync support for free email accounts</p><p>So how does that affect Windows 8 and Windows RT?</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/gmail-loses-google-sync-how-windows-8-rt-office-are-affected-7000008846/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/14/3768274/google-gmail-activesync-windows-phone">Google drops a Gmail-shaped bomb on Windows Phone</a> (The Verge)</p><p><a href="http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/google-to-make-gmail-sync-less-often-on-wp-mobiles-50009987/">Google to make Gmail sync less often on WP mobiles | CNET UK</a> (CNET UK)</p><p><a href="http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/2012/12/15/google-is-screwing-over-gmail-users-on-windows-phone-telling-them-to-use-android-or-iphone-instead/">Google screws over Gmail users on Windows Phone, essentially telling them to ...</a> (The Next Web (blog))</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=d8U5xJILopBimGMph7uBQMZcDo7uM&ned=us">256 additional articles.</a></p>