<p>MIcrosoft and Google have been battling it out on a number of fronts, from courtroom fights over patents to marketing campaigns over search engines to exchanging barbs over Twitter.</p><p>The latest skirmish, which directly affects some users of Microsoft and Google products, came about when Google announced that, beginning Jan. 30, it would stop letting consumers set up new devices using Google Sync. Google Sync uses Microsoft's Exchange ActiveSync technology.</p><p>According to Google:Google Sync was designed to allow access to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Contacts via the MicrosoftA Exchange ActiveSyncA protocol. With the recent launch of CardDAV, Google now offers similar access via IMAP, CalDAV, and CardDAV, making it possible to build a seamless sync experience using open protocols. Starting January 30, 2013, consumers won't be able to set up new devices using Google Sync; however, existing Google Sync connections will continue to function. Google Sync will continue to be fully supported for Google Apps for Business, Government and Education users who are unaffected by this announcement.</p><p>Microsoft responded with a blog post, exhorting users to switch to Outlook.com.</p><p><a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/microsoftpri0/2019930706_microsoft_and_google_part_ways_on_exchange_actives.html">Keep reading...</a></p>