Google drops Exchange ActiveSync. What does it mean for BlackBerry?

In what Google referred to as 'winter cleaning' they announced that, effective 30 January 2013 they will be shutting down new set-ups for their Google Sync service via its Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol. Instead, they'll be offering access through access via IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV. Because of this, we saw that the Google Sync app for BlackBerry finally give up the ghost but what does it really mean for BlackBerry, the BlackBerry PlayBook and the upcoming BlackBerry 10?

Starting with some key words there, this only affects new set-ups. If you're alredy attached to the services with a device then Google will continue to offer it. Plus, they will continue to fully support the options through Google Apps for Business, Government and Education user. As for the PlayBook and BlackBerry 10, here's what RIM had to say on the matter:

The announcement that Google is removing ActiveSync support for Gmail does not affect PlayBook OS 2.0 or BlackBerry 10 customers using Gmail. PlayBook OS 2.0 and BlackBerry 10 support other standard email, contacts and calendar connectivity, which ensures customers will continue to have access to Gmail.

BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 brought CalDAV and CardDAV to the mix and BlackBerry 10 is surely taking the same route as well, so that only leaves older BlackBerry devices that are kind of left out of the loop when it comes to synching contacts and calendars on through Gmail.

That's not to say it can't be done but rather that Google is making it harder and you'll forced to rely on some older methods such as desktop manager to get the job done. It could be worse though I suppose, you could be an iOS or Windows Phone user whos platforms appear to be hit a little bit harder, depending on how you prefer your services set-up. Android users however don't have to worry about any of this at all and go on their merry way.