Late last month the FCC sent a series of questions to Google, Apple and AT&T over the supposed denial of the Google Voice application from the iTunes App Store. Now a little less than a month later we are getting some answers. Interestingly, Apple is saying that contrary to popular belief the Google Voice application was never denied and that it is still being reviewed. The iTunes App Store review process generally takes less than 14 days, but without any updates during that time, much to developer's chagrin. Apple is stating that the version of Google Voice that was submitted alters the iPhone's user experience in such a way that it may be denied; the app replaces the iPhone's interface with its own for calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple also disapproves of Google using and transmitting the iPhone's entire contact list, by uploading it to Google Voice.
Both Apple and AT&T have reassured the FCC that AT&T has no say in the approval process for iPhone applications, something that many have speculated to the contrary. All this while Google was fairly mum on the situation with its entire answer to "What reasons were given for rejecting Google Voice?" being held confidential by the FCC. Google has created a web-based version of Google Voice for iPhone users and continues to suggest it until the situation is resolved.
Apple has posted its full response on its site and both Google and AT&T's responses can be found over at Engadget.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.
Yeah, and the fact that they took so long to come up with that response? Granted, big companies take some time to get things through their infrastructure, but often delays like this I've found are because they're trying to formulate a response... LOL
I know GV is a useful app, but maybe they can develop it in a way it's not too intrusive on the iphone?
If people want there phone to b plastered with google stuff, get the android?
The app doesn't alter the iPhone's built in functionality. Neither did the 'GV Mobile' app which has been in the App store for quite a while but was removed the day Apple rejected (or put in permanent review) Google's app. 'GV Mobile' moved to Cydia the day it got removed from the App Store.
They allowed Google to mess around before with their voice app which when you put the phone to your ear while in call, it would use the sensor to turn the screen off. But now it has gone too far, changing the entire UI to Google Voice is just too far, imagine what people would think when Google was allowed to do that but services like Skype can't.
They allowed Google to mess around before with their voice app which when you put the phone to your ear while in call, it would use the sensor to turn the screen off. But now it has gone too far, changing the entire UI to Google Voice is just too far, imagine what people would think when Google was allowed to do that but services like Skype can't.
It's not like Google would force this app on all iPhone users. If someone wants it, they'll install it; if they don't like it, they can remove it. I for one WANT the GV app to basically take over the phone. I want to use my GV number 99% of the time, so why not let me have the option to use it easily. Apple already has the $ I spent for the iPhone, so why not let me use it my way?
*puts on tin foil hat* I'll bet apple approves it.
Why? It's my contact list, not yours Apple. It's not up to you. So long as I approve the transmission of my contact list to Google Voice, you should have no say in the matter.
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