The much-awaited GDR2 software update from Microsoft is finally rolling out to Windows Phone users, but it apparently removes the Google Search option for some devices.
According to reports, users in India are noticing a change on their Windows Phone 8 (WP8) handsets post the GDR2 update. Users are reporting that the Google Search option is no longer available in the default browser settings.
Previously, users had the option of choosing from either Google Search or Microsoft's Bing in the address bar for their searches. However, since the GDR2 software update, only the latter option is available.
"Here is an interesting little titbit. It appears after the upgrade to the GDR2 version of Windows Phone 8 in India the option to use Google Search instead of Bing Search had disappeared in the browser settings," reports WMPoweruser.
Whether the change will affect all or only some WP8 users who upgrade to the GDR2 release is not known yet.
Even though the Google Search option has vanished after users updated their WP8 devices to the GDR2 version, one can still access the search engine by directly logging in to www.google.com. However, as WMPoweruser notes, "simply typing in the address bar will now always send you to Bing."
It is not known yet what has caused the removal of the Google Search option and if users in other countries apart from India are affected as well. Speculations are rife that the removal of access to Google Search is Microsoft's response to Google blocking the new YouTube app for the Windows Phone mobile platform.
Earlier in July, we reported that post the GDR2 update for WP8, the HTC 8X was experiencing software issues. Users complained of experiencing problems when playing media files on their handset.
The GDR2 update brings HTML5 improvements, FM Radio, new Data Sense feature, while VoIP apps like Skype and Lync get improved stability and performance.
Microsoft is also expected to push out the GDR3 software update (known as Windows Phone Blue) later this year, which will bring significant feature improvements for WP8 devices, including a new notification center.
