News
Apple working to block Google Voice on iPhone?
Apple has rejected an official Google Voice application, and has since removed two competing third-party solutions from the App Store, suggesting that the company—or perhaps its carrier partners—does not want the service available on the iPhone or iPod touch. Google Voice allows users to send free SMS messages, offers affordable long-distance calling rates, and lets users hand out a Google Voice number which is tied to their account and can be ported from device to device simply by signing in. Speaking with TechCrunch, a Google spokesperson said, “We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. 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.”
Apple has also pulled two third-party Google Voice applications, GV Mobile from Sean Kovacs and a competing app called VoiceCentral, for duplicating iPhone functionality. Notably, Kovacs claims that Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller called him personally to apologize for the delay in getting GV Mobile approved in the first place, making its removal all the more curious. Google currently has official Google Voice applications available for both the company’s Android platform and for BlackBerry.
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1
Sean Kovacs has said that he is releasing GV Mobile 1.2 to the jailbreak community for free via Cydia sometime today or tomorrow. Apple/AT&T can’t stop the inevitable.
Posted by Bryce on July 28, 2009 at 8:44 AM (PDT)
2
Ahh, the start of the demise of the Iphone… Apple is just repeating past mistakes (like the one that allowed Windows to overtake Apple’s OS/machines). I have a feeling my next phone will have the Android OS.
Posted by RampantRedsFan on July 28, 2009 at 8:45 AM (PDT)
3
Android is where it’s at people, when are you lot going to cotton on? Apple are even worse than Microsoft when it comes to opening up their software to third parties.
Posted by iPard on July 28, 2009 at 9:03 AM (PDT)
4
GV Dialer was also pulled from the App Store.
That makes it 3 Google Voice iPhone Apps in total that were removed by Apple yesterday.
Posted by Serko on July 28, 2009 at 9:06 AM (PDT)
5
Don’t know how much more I can take. All those new Android phones and even the HTC Touch Pro 2 are looking pretty sweet right now.
Posted by sting7k on July 28, 2009 at 9:14 AM (PDT)
6
If it is ATT that asked to have these apps removed, that’s completely stupid. Google Voice would still chew through your ATT minutes. Maybe they just don’t want you to use GV for SMS for free.
Posted by Adam on July 28, 2009 at 9:32 AM (PDT)
7
Why does every carrier or phone company have significant downfalls? I have tried so many devices and multiple carriers, and each has its pitfalls. The iPhone could be so much more if it wasn’t for AT&T. I am just glad that I downloaded GV Mobile last week and can still use it. Hard part is that even if the iPhone is on Verizon the App Store is global.
Posted by nobit wehtam on July 28, 2009 at 11:41 AM (PDT)
8
GV Mobile is still in my list of apps that I downloaded from the app store but I’m worried that it might be removed the next time I sync. Amazon removed Orwell’s “1984” from people’s devices so clearly it’s possible. Some people are reported to have asked for a refund from GV Mobile. Why would they do this if it were still available on their device? Does anyone know if people are losing GV Mobile from their iPod Touch or iPhone?
Posted by Jaigin on August 1, 2009 at 4:33 AM (PDT)
9
Both GV Mobile and Google Voice remain on my 3GS after applying the 3.01 update this morning.
YMMV
Posted by WeeWilly07 on August 1, 2009 at 7:55 AM (PDT)