In a deal between two unlikely allies in the mobile business space, arch-rivals Google and Microsoft have agreed terms to allow Google applications to be synched via Windows Mobile smartphones. The new version of Google Sync is made possible by a patent license covering its implementation of the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync protocol on Google servers. The service will allow Google Gmail contacts and calendar events to be automatically synchronised over-the-air to Windows Mobile devices. Google has also added synchronisation services for the Apple iPhone, while Google Sync for BlackBerry smartphones is already available.

In a statement, Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel and VP, intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft, said that the agreement was “a great example of Microsoft’s openness to generally license our patents under fair and reasonable terms so long as licensees respect Microsoft intellectual property.” Microsoft already has similar agreements in place with Apple, Nokia, Palm, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson, among others. The new version of Google Sync is available now in beta mode.