Google Voice to be retooled as Web app for iPhone

Even though Apple prevented it from listing Google Voice on the iPhone App Store, Google is planning on retooling the application as a Web-based app, according to The New York Times.

In David Pogue's Friday column regarding the ongoing saga of Apple and Google Voice, he reveals that Google has already found a loophole:

Already, Google says it is readying a replacement for the Google Voice app that will offer exactly the same features as the rejected app--except that it will take the form of a specialized, iPhone-shaped Web page. For all intents and purposes, it will behave exactly the same as the app would have; you can even install it as an icon on your Home screen.

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. There's speculation that AT&T is behind the decision to block the application since Google Voice allows cheap international calls and free text messages.

It's not clear if simply making Google Voice available as a Web app will change Apple's mind, but there is precedent. Apple also rejected Google's Latitude for the iPhone until it was remade as Web app.

A Google spokesperson did not say how close to completion the project might be, but reiterated a previous statement. "We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users, for example by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers."

This story was updated at 3:58 p.m. PDT with comment from Google.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Use ANDROID and get full native functionality. Apple Sux.

[The_happy_switcher]

Thanks for your deep and insightful post.

[SRobbins1977]

Everyone blames ATT for this one... but its all Apple. Simple math: 1 - Google puts out app that people want to use and is better then other Apple apps. 2 - Apple sees people getting used to using google apps and knows with Googles better app plus the Google phones coming out, people could have a easier time switching to Google powered phone. 3 - Apple gets scared and pulls plug.

Apple now finds themselves in the unique position of people peceptives now being that Google makes better devices. And that perception could be rightfully so.

[BogusBasin]

@SRobbins

Ohhhh haaaaa hhhaaa hheeee hhaaa

Stop it! You're killin' me!

[t8]

@ The_happy_switcher

AppleSuxLeo has a point.

Developers will build for Android because it is open and thus no rejection.
Users will flock to the platform with the most apps.

So Apple is likely to suk a big one.

Perhaps Apple is realising they are repeating history.
Years ago, they thought IBM was the enemy and they used Microsoft to develop for their platform.
Now they think Microsoft is the enemy, but they are a has been.
Apple's true competition is Google.

I can hear you say "what do you mean Microsoft is a has been". Well they are.
They still make lots of money only because they have a big user-base of have beens.
i.e., they have momentum. But they don't have invention and innovation. Google and Apple do.
They are the next Sun.

In the end, it will be Apple and Google duking it out in the mobile Internet and all associated hardware..

[muskratboy]

yup, the way consumers have FLOCKED to linux. i mean, this many years in, it MUST be a LARGE and VIABLE operating system for most of the public, right?

oh right.

android may be viable one day... but it's gonna be awhile. and those damn handsets suck it.

[Mark_Anderson]

It's funny watching Apple make the same mistakes they did back in the late 80's/early 90's.

Or is it tragic?

One of the two.

[monkeyfun14]

@t8

Why would I want my only options either to be

A) A piece of software no one will develop for because they can't make money off of it.
B) A platform that exists to have a huge profit margin at the expense of idiots who think the machine is really worth that much.

[ckh1272]

"by monkeyfun14 August 8, 2009 11:36 AM PDT
@t8

Why would I want my only options either to be

A) A piece of software no one will develop for because they can't make money off of it.
B) A platform that exists to have a huge profit margin at the expense of idiots who think the machine is really worth that much."

@monkeyfun14--Dude, once again you out due yourself. You are really on your way to new trolling heights. Say "hi" to Mr. Dee when you get there. Why don't you actually say what platform you prefer, since the "only" two options you see, you don't like apparently. Also, referring to certain groups as "idiots" because of a CHOICE is just plain short sighted and ignorant, to say the least. Good luck with that anger therapy.

[jackdaniels08]

Ohhhh, that's good!

[mpeskin]

Except, as a web app it won't have the one thing you'd want with a voicemail service: push notifications.

[Shankland]

I watch a lot of Web application work, and one area of activity is notifications. I doubt that will be mature enough to use on a mobile phone any time soon, but I also doubt Apple's present ban will be permanently uncircumventable.

[jazz4ivo]

Except Google can actually set up a voicemail push notification to be delivered to you via your regular Gmail account which already supports push on the iPhone :)

Apple are gonna shoot themselves in the foot with all these rejections!

[rtuinenburg]

Apple, you can't stop technology by denying all these apps, when there is demand, people will find an alternative every time. You either play ball or you lose to the android platform. Android will get a lot more popular once every manufacturer starts coming out with different phones. All its gonna take is one really sexy phone with the android platform, then iphone will be in trouble. I currently own an iphone, and the limitations that apple has put on it, making me less and less likely to stick with the iphone. The android apps will start surpassing the iphone apps once their are a ton of phones out there using android. Developors are gonna see the number of phones out there surpassing the iphone numbers. Developers are gonna go to the biggest slice of the pie, which is only natural. So apple, you better take advantage of your position now, before people start to switch.

My perfect phone would be on Verizon 3G or Sprint 4G, Android Platform, iPhone look a like with slide out keyboard, 32gb+, GPS, Compass, 5 MP photo/camera, Wifi, CDMA/GSM, Swappable Battery, Wimax.

[ernestoberumen]

Don't forget a flash on that Camera!

[Mergatroid Mania]

That's pretty good reasoning there, and very well said.

[TechnoMan475392]

Your perfect phone sounds a lot like a Nokia N97 (hardware wise).

[AlmightyMe]

"It's not clear if simply making Google Voice available as a Web app will change Apple's mind, but there is precedent. Apple also rejected Google's Latitude for the iPhone until it was remade as Web app."

Highly inaccurate. There is no precedent set as Apple never changed it's mind on the Google Latitude native app. It was forced to be released as a Web App when Apple denied it from the App Store for competing with the Map app (which Google helped create)...just like Google Voice. They never changed their mind...it was never released in the App Store and Apple is still exerting anti-competitive, near-monopolistic control over a market that is supposed to benefit developers and customers. And yes, web apps for communications are near useless. No push notification basically defeat the purpose all together.

And Apple fanatics, calm down, it's just a computer, a tool. I service Macs professionally, own a Macbook Pro and an iPod Touch 2g (I don't need an iPhone). I just don't drink the kool-aid. Apple has really crossed the line and deserves all the bad press it gets. Hopefully they will be forced to treat the app store with fair and objective approvals or allow for the users to install their own apps.

[nolastan]

I agree, it is highly inaccurate statement. Apple has no control over what web apps people create. If it's through the browser, it is protected by Net Neutrality. Unfortunately access to apps, as opposed to websites, does not have to be neutral. Hopefully the ongoing FCC investigation into the matter will change this.

I disagree that no Push Notifications defeat the purpose. You can still use call forwarding for incoming calls, and then use the web-app for outgoing calls. SMS might be more difficult though.

[Mergatroid Mania]

Man, what ARE you talking about? Net Neutrality doesn't exist. When it was being discussed (and still is) it was about bandwidth, and ISPs throttling bandwidth for some people and companies. Just what does that have to do with a web app? What does it have to do with Apple?

Yes, I think Android will do well as a phone o/s since people are talking about it so much. Also, Palm is set to be really big again if they don't pull an Apple with their app store.

People get what they deserve however. Anyone who is happy with Apple's censorship can stay with them. They have been well programmed by Apple, and we're better off without them.

[cvaldes1831]

This whole situation is completely asinine.

Apple, just let the ********* Google Voice app into the store (and all the third-party ones back).

[eltoro2827]

Google is a waste of a company...never thought i would become a winmo to apple dude ...but the iphone kicks ass. Although AT&T service suxs.

[t8]

OH yeah Google is a waste of a company. No one uses Google search and Google Docs and Google Earth. Google they has no vision for the future either. We all know that the Web isn't a platform and that we will not be using Web apps instead of native OS apps in the future through a browser on any device.

And Google is nearly bankrupt right? There is no money in search and Internet ads whatsoever.

Yeah Google is a waste of a company. They should just give up.

Nice post BTW eltoro2827. You are a true light for your generation.

[monkeyfun14]

@t8

Stop drinking the koolaid for a minute and realize that Google isn't trying to help you. They want you on the web so they can get your info and get ad clicks. Notice the focus on THEIR products.

[loose_screw]

Oh yeah, without google you'd still be enjoying your 2MB Hotmail and Yahoo accounts. Google sure is a waste. *rolls eyes*.

And like NO other web sites show ads, right? Because yahoo.com and msn.com are so ad-free! Wee!!!

[ckh1272]

@monkeyfun14--No (for profit) company is trying to "help". They simply hope that they can supply you with a product/service that you will buy over and over again, so that they can get rich. That's all and that's life. Get used to it.

[empirestatebuddy]

Are we beginning to see a revolt in the ranks of the "cult of Apple"?

[cvaldes1831]

Amongst the "cult of Apple" there has always been a small but boisterous crowd of customers who point out Apple's shortcomings (heck, no one is perfect) in the hope that the company will learn from its mistakes.

In this particular case, the learning process seems to have stalled out. With crowdsourced media like comment servers, blogs, etc., the voices get louder and more difficult to ignore.

[renGek]

As a software developer, I just don't like this whole attempt to move back towards proprietary platform software development. I blame apple directly because of the money they are making from iphone apps. Suddenly its a great business model and everybody is jumping into it. The problem is, they will all have different platforms so once again the developer must develop 5 different versions of the same thing. It completely undermines web app development and is unnecessary. If you build a web app and it runs on your smartphone why even bother with a platform specific app? The only good reason is because they can make you pay a few bucks for it when it can be had for free if its on the web.

[lordmorgul]

I understand this point of view, but what we really were expecting to see happen in the last 5-6 years is a convergence of platform, not this deliberate (driven by marketing primarily) divergence of platform.

The platform specific app is much more powerful on a mobile device primarily because the ability to handle flash and similar web technologies is not really there yet on mobiles. Basic javascript/ajax is pathetic in comparison to a local app in performance and capabilities.

Also, web apps require bookmarking and waiting for page load, things that are much simpler with a native app. The overall result being that web apps fall short.

What we need is not to stay locked into web apps, but to develop cross platform capabilities that reduce the level of effort required for developing on multiple platforms... it is not new ground to cover. The console gaming environment is an excellent example of how to make that happen. When console games are not released on multiple platforms today the only reason is marketing.

[Mergatroid Mania]

I agree, I find web apps to be pretty lame. I would much rather run a platform specific app that works better and faster than a web app any day.

Personally I don't have any plans to use web apps at all. I have all the software I need, and have no need to go out looking for slower less refined apps over the net. If people really like that junk, fine, but they shouldn't try telling me about how everything is going to be web apps in the future 'cause I just don't believe it. Maybe in 25 years, if the net has become really speedy, but I doubt it. There will always be a place for platform specific applications and games.

[FANAT1C]

or use windows mobile and onedialer or gvdialer. the real evil is apple and its useless drm policies.

[cvaldes1831]

Er, Apple dumped DRM for the music sold at the iTunes Store at the beginning of the year.

Apple was never keen on DRM to begin with. It was something the major labels insisted when they initially penned their contracts with Apple.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Apple needs to change their adverts to:
We have an Apple-Approved app for that. LOL

[mrcockrell]

"It's not clear if simply making Google Voice available as a Web app will change Apple's mind, but there is precedent. Apple also rejected Google's Latitude for the iPhone until it was remade as Web app"

what the hell are you talking about Erica??

web apps dont require approval by Apple its just a website...

[codynews]

damn "mrcockrell", simmer down. I know what she was talking about. She should have said "Apple also rejected Google's Latitude for the iPhone, which was remade as Web app" "

Take a pill and a nap :)

[Jarobusa1]

How about get a Palm Pre and use dkGoogleVoice.

[jkcouch]

You can already use this as a limited web app... https://www.google.com/voice/m
It works well enough for me until they polish it up!

[jahf]

" Apple also rejected Google's Latitude for the iPhone until it was remade as Web app." is misleading. It makes it sound like Apple approved the Lattitude web page. Apple can't do much about web page apps and they don't have to approve them.

Either way, much as my iPhone has been fun, just 8 months into it I'm sick of the application restrictions and doubly tired of AT&T as a carrier. I'll be going to an Android phone as soon as my contract is up. 1 more spat of hijinx from either company and I may go -sooner-.

[Williame789]

I have apple. Apple always block things, I'm better off with a android phone.

[brianhama]

Windows Mobile users can download an application that allows you to natively use your Google Voice account while making phone calls from my website, http://www.brianhama.com.

[pot7737]

Time has changed. Apple is forbidding iPhone users to install Google Voice app on the device. They decided to take it off App Store. Why? Just because.
This smart phone is essentially a computer with operating system and an ability to install third party software like any other computer. When I called Apple, tech support representative informed me that Apple does not have to explain why they are forbidding me to install Google apps after I purchased device planning to use it with Google Voice. She also informed me that App Store is like any other store has right to choose what they put on their shelves.
Well, I respect their choice, but the last time I checked in my neighborhood mall none of their stores are FORBIDING me to use products from anywhere else but from their store. Does Apple respect my choice? Communist China government did not dare to make Lenovo give me a list of software I can install on my laptop. Lenovo respects my choice because they know what will happen with their laptops if they would try to deny this choice to people in free world.
Just imagine what would happen if Microsoft make an agreement with Comcast and set up a list of software you are allowed to install. What if they allow you to connect to internet only through Comcast? What if Comcast decides they not like some software and a week later Microsoft would FORBIDS using it without any meaningful explanation? That would definitely be considered mafia-like behavior and nobody would tolerate it.
We are not tolerating this behavior neither from China, US government, Microsoft, nor from Comcast. For how long are we going to tolerate this behavior from Apple? I erased my iPhone, I smashed it with hammer and I will send it on Monday to Steve Jobs, c/o Apple 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, CA 95014
Time has changed.

[ckh1272]

I understand where you're coming from but you really don't provide any proof or inside info. regarding. It is mostly conjecture at this point or at least until the FCC is done with the matter.

[EvanSei]

I love the app store but all I can say is, go google stick it those apple terds! I want to be able to use google voice on the go practically.