Microsoft might, I suppose, have a policy against microsoft.com accounts on other firms infrastructure, and therefore if it needs a Google account uses gmail or other non-microsoft.com domains.
They have already failed this test: they are already publishing extensions using msftliveapps@gmail.com and msandapp.bgcextn@gmail.com, doubtless many others!
I believe Google requires you publish Chrome extensions with an @gmail address, in which case MS doesn’t really have a choice.
Good grief--that is so evil (not to mention anticompetitive) that I didn't even consider it!
Not sure what would make using a Gmail account anticompetitive, but it's also not true. You need a chrome web store account (which they amusingly encourage you not to use your personal email for) which can use any email address.
Any idea what problem Google is solving by requiring the use of gmail?
Naivety on the internet, and people believing what they read on a web page without checking.
Google doesn't require a gmail adresse to publish.
Yeah, I didn't think it made sense.
Absolutely untrue, as mentioned elsewhere in the thread. I have Chrome extensions published under a non-gmail email address.