Apple blocks Google Voice app for iPhone
The long-awaited Google Voice application for the iPhone has been officially shot down by Apple.
There were a scattering of reports on Monday, and then a Google spokesperson confirmed it: "Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users--for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers."
In addition, all third-party applications that use Google Voice have been pulled by Apple, according to a report in TechCrunch. The developer of one of those apps, GV Mobile, says he was told the decision came from Apple because his app "duplicates features that come with the iPhone."
It's unclear why Apple is refusing the app to be sold in its store, though there are hints that it may have come at the behest of AT&T, the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the U.S. Google Voice is a free application that lets users assign a single number to ring their home, work, and cell phones, and also get voice mail as text transcriptions. Google Voice has been described by some as an "end run" around wireless carriers because it allows for free texts, but users do still use minutes on their AT&T phone plan.
John Gruber of DaringFireball.net reports that it was in fact AT&T's request that Apple block the application, but points out that Apple too has good reason to reject it: "Google Voice is a mobile phone service provided by the maker of one of the biggest competitors to the iPhone OS (Android). What if Google Voice were instead Microsoft Voice?"
It's also by now well established that the application approval process for Apple's App Store can be confusing and frustrating for individual developers, and now even for giants of the technology industry. Just last week, another dust-up occurred with Google and the iPhone, when Apple refused to approve Google's Latitude for the iPhone unless it was designed as Web-based app.
Erica Ogg is a CNET News reporter who covers Apple, HP, Dell, and other PC makers, as well as the consumer electronics industry. She's also one of the hosts of CNET News' Daily Podcast. In her non-work life, she's a history geek, a loyal Dodgers fan, and a mac-and-cheese connoisseur. E-mail Erica. 
THIS IS UNFAIR TO IPOD TOUCH USERS.
There is *zero* duplication of functionality for iPod touch users (yes, there are over 15 million of us -- something that technology journalists routinely forget). There is no confusion, no conflict of interest, nada.
We paid full retail for these things, no carrier subsidy whatsoever.
Google Voice is not a VoIP application. If you don't understand that, I guess you've never used Google Voice or bothered to learn what it's about. I'm perfectly content carrying around cheapo Motorola dumbphone; I average about $3/mo. of calls (no contract).
Besides that, there are other VoIP applications that work for the iPod touch (Truphone, Skype, fring, Nimbuzz, and a couple of SIP clients).
1. In Safari,
go to "http://www.google.com/voice/m"
2.
Bookmark the link on your homepage
3.
Press that homepage icon whenever you want to use google voice.
First of all, it's a freakin' website and as such the performance is poor, even if you're on a fast wifi connection. Thinks like switching dialback numbers, listening to voicemail, or calling someone in your history probably take 5-10 times longer using the web version than using GV Mobile.
The user interface is rather plain and ugly; you have to zoom in for accurate hyperlink selection. There is no integration with the built-in Address Book.
To dial, you just have a normal text entry field, not a standard dialpad. And if you want to call 1-800-MY-APPLE, you to bring up a dialpad, memorize the numeric digits, and type that into the web form.
The Google Voice mobile webpage is a poor replacement to the native apps.
Q... the dial-pad lets you dial a number you want to call... Google voice calls your home phone... either land line or cell and connects you to the person you want to call, you don't use the ipod as a phone, you use any phone you have setup in Google voice. I have a link on my website, that lets anyone in the US call me for free using that link... using there land line of course.
"If it's not a phone app, why would you need a dialpad?"
I guess you're another person who has never used Google Voice nor bothered to learn what it's about.
Google Voice provides a single phone number which forwards to all of your phone numbers. If you use the Google Voice website or a Google Voice app to dial, it will call you on your designated phone. Once you pick up, it will start ringing the other party. One advantage: your outgoing caller ID is your Google Voice number. Another advantage: if you pick your callback number to be a landline (e.g., home or work phone) or Gizmo, you don't use any cellphone minutes.
For me, this translates into "free nationwide long distance" since I'm receiving an incoming call at no charge.
In most cases, I just fire up GV Mobile, find a contact in my address book, select it and the designated callback number starts ringing. I only need to use the dialer when I'm calling someone not in my address book.
THIS IS WAR!!!!!!!
I gave up and bought an iPhone. Apple won.
Apple has great products. But if there is one thing that can bring them down it is by turning their loyal base off by cutting off basic functionality.
Sign this petition with your Twitter Account to let Apple know how much they screwed up: http://twitition.com/xh8jk
Hey Apple: TTYN!
"Please note that Google Voice is only available for sign up in the US." (re, https://services.google.com/fb/forms/googlevoiceinvite/ )
It seems that lately the cell networks and music industry are getting a free ride because of the (sometimes warranted) backlash against Apple. But let me tell you this: Apples closed-shop mentality is _nothing_ compared the control freakery of these guys. Apple may be slapping you in the face but the cell networks are royally screwing all of us.
There's nothing evil about making money. That's what every corporation is in business to do (generalization... please don't list six sigma deviations). Apple is less offensive than some.... more so than others. If they don't make money, they get fired. If they alienate a few customers.... usually nothing happens. If they alienate some workers.... usually nothing happens.
It may not be a perfect system... but it beats the alternatives hands down.
If Apple has made you unhappy, don't buy any more products from them.
For me Apple is on a slippery slope. I don't like to be locked out of my own equipment, and I don't like where this is going. I think it's bordering on monopolistic that they can completely shut down any competition to their own native apps.
MS, on the other hand, slipped down the slope a long long time ago. The latest outrage that comes to mind: threats against linux and the open source community. Maybe they'll push it just a little too far and Obama will re-ignite the federal anti-trust case against them..... if someone can manage to get the instructions on how to do so on his teleprompter.
"... Apple is just a money sucking greedy beast?"
So, let me get this straight: Apple has forced you to buy their products? If so, you are a wimpy robot. If not, shut your pie hole.
Apple does it on the iPhone and people are like, "Oh well"
And you can save your keystrokes with your "monopoly" replies. So what. It is still wrong. To ignore this is hypocrisy.
Another crack in the Apple/Google relationship is showing. It seemed to start with the announcement of Google's Chrome OS.
Get a grip, son.
What part of 'apologist' do you not understand.
Get a grip, son."
Sir, if you are talking to me, you barking up the wrong tree with such an ignorant statement. It seems like you and some others are ready to light a fire under Apple, meanwhile ignoring the fact that AT&T has hogtied the iPhone since the beginning. True, Apple doesn't help their cause by being so vague about certain things, but how else do you explain NO tethering, NO MMS, even though the phone has been ready for it. Now you throw in a PHONE related issue (AT&T=$$$$), and you want to blame Apple? It's just a little short sighted to always point the finger at one company when there is plenty of blame to pass around. If you were not talking to me, then I apologize.
What part of 'apologist' do you not understand.
Get a grip, son."
BTW, I'm not your son. Who would want to raised by such an ignorant father?? See, I can flip the issue too.
In the end, it was Apple's decision.
APPLE 2009 = MICROSOFT 1995
APPLE 2009 = MICROSOFT 1995
Anyway, I've never liked Google at all so I'm somewhat rejoiced about this... O.o
It is the SMS functionality that AT&T doesn't want to lose. SMS is a cash cow for them. I am not worried about that, just want the rest of the stuff.
-g
I don't want someone else's smartphone. I'm happy with my cheapo Motorola dumbphone. However, let me access my Google Voice account with a native app, not the mobile website. That's why I paid my hard-earned dollars for the GV Mobile app.
@ ckh1272 where do I apply?"
I would ask Mr. Dee. He is the one with a well documented "association" with Microsoft, i.e. got some cash and a free Acer Ferrari laptop. Look it up. I'm sure he'll be happy to help. LOL!!
And for what ? As if *any* carrier could stop IM, Internet-based texting à la Twitter or even VOIP ? At best they can slow things down to keep the revenue up for a little longer, a tactic that works for a while only... It's a sad day.
- by ikramerica--2008 July 28, 2009 3:39 PM PDT
- Well DUH!
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- by El_Segfaulto July 28, 2009 3:58 PM PDT
- Funny, T-Mobile doesn't seem to mind that I have Google Voice on my G1.
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- by July 28, 2009 6:32 PM PDT
- Same, T-Mobile doesn't seem to mind that I have google voice. Thats because you are dealing with APPLE people. Suck it up and deal that Apple has a closed mentality!!! That's why they will loose the mobile fight like they lost the PC war in the 80's... Nothing has changed with Apple, they are still closed minded company!
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- by July 28, 2009 6:36 PM PDT
- Also, isn't funny that Apple does the thinking for you? Why can't they let the people decide on what they want to use? I don't get it!!!!!!!
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Showing 1 of 3 pages (109 Comments)These are cell phones, where the phone companies charge you by the minute. Why on earth would these companies make it easy to avoid paying them? Apple has to do the same thing with AIM for iPhone. It only works on WiFi, but when you try to use it on the 3G network, we are told that ATT won't allow it, as it would bypass the need for text messages and paying ATT.
Eventually you will no longer buy minutes or texts, just have a contract for data, but until all phones are smart phones, this won't happen.
Suck it up and deal. Google Voice and SkypeIn are ways to get around paying for minutes, and they will force the market to adjust over time, but not right away.