Google announced on its official blog today that it would be doing some “winter cleaning” by discontinuing a number of services in the near future. Among the services shutting down as of Jan. 30 is Google Sync, which allowed users to access Gmail, Calendar, and Contacts using the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync® protocol. As an alternative, Google recommended IMAP for mail, as well as the recently launched CardDAV and CalDAV protocols. Google did, however, confirm it will continue offering the service to existing consumers and Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education customers.
