The Verge has published an unconfirmed report that Microsoft will add support for CalDAV and CardDAV in response to Google's withdrawal of support for Exchange ActiveSync (EAS). We reported on Google's announcement at the time, and this one of the potential fixes that Microsoft could implement. It's still unclear how many Windows Phone users will be affected by the withdrawal of EAS, especially with Google's language of "it will no longer be possible for new connections to sync data from Google Contacts or Google Calendar using the Microsoft protocol", it is ambiguous as to how a new connection is defined.

When Google announced its end of support for EAS on non-paying (e.g. Google Apps) it stated that it wished to concentrate on the open protocols of CardDAV and CalDAV. Given Apple's adoption of these protocols, the end of EAS support meant that the biggest phone platforms were unaffected. In contrast, Windows Phone was faced with losing its only means of synchronizing Google Calendar and Contacts by January 30th (nine days from the time of writing).

If The Verge's report is accurate, the inclusion CardDAV and CalDAV would compensate for the lack of Google's support for EAS. However, there was no timeframe suggested for the update and there is no realistic chance that Microsoft can push the update by the January 30th deadline.

Again, this is news is not an official announcement. The Verge have quoted an anonymous source within Microsoft, and so there isn't a secondary source to verify the information. Therefore, don't hold your breath for a fix to Google sync in the near future. However, do investigate NuevaSync which provides third party EAS support for Google, including Google Tasks and Push Email. The article on The Verge also includes unconfirmed reports of Google's behavior towards Microsoft. Bear in mind that there are two sides to a story and Google (or any source within) has yet to answer as to its motives and level communications with Microsoft.