Google has given yet another extension to Windows Phone users, allowing them to access its Sync service until Dec. 31.

While the company originally intended to stop supporting the Exchange ActiveSync protocol on January 30, it later gave Windows Phone users an extension until July 31. That extra time was meant to allow Microsoft to build CardDAV and CalDAV support into Windows Phone 8. As it turns out, however, that was still not enough time so Google has again granted an extension.

"We've reached an agreement with Google to extend support for new Windows Phone connections to the Google Sync service through December 31, 2013," a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed in a statement to The Verge.

"Windows Phone users can continue to set up new device connections with Google Sync through December 31, 2013. Windows 8 and Windows RT users can access Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts through their browsers," Google confirmed in an update on July 31, 2013, on its support site.

Microsoft did not ignore the first extension, but it just didn't manage to finish up in time. The company has enabled the aforementioned CalDAV and CardDAV support in its latest Windows Phone 8 update, but that has only started rolling out to devices recently. Consequently, not all Windows Phone 8 devices have the update yet, thus requiring another extension.

Meanwhile, this agreement should help improve the relationship between Google and Microsoft, as the two companies are waging a platform war. When Google first announced plans to drop the Exchange ActiveSync support, it provided Microsoft with just 45 days to come up with a solution and implement the necessary CalDAV and CardDAV support in Windows Phone 8. After scrambling to make ends meet, the two companies agreed on that first extension, which expired at the end of July.

This was not the first dispute between the two companies. As The Verge points out, Google and Microsoft settled a similar dispute a while ago, when Microsoft created an unofficial YouTube app for its Windows Phone platform. Google immediately demanded that Microsoft remove the unofficial app and the latter agreed. The two companies are now collaborating to create a new YouTube Windows Phone app.

As for the current Sync issue, the new extension help solve things. With an additional five months of Google Sync support, Microsoft should be able to ensure that most of its devices can support the protocols required to sync Google calendar and contacts.