Why Did Apple Reject The Google Voice App?
And Why Was The FCC So Quick To Step In?

Finally, I get to talk about this Google/Apple thing.

Luckily for me, the controversy is still going strong, so I still get to report on a still hot topic. As a matter of fact, just a day or two ago, there was a new update on the situation. All of this back and forth between Google and Apple is turning it into a “he said she said” situation, with a little bit of AT&T and the FCC thrown in for good measure.

So What’s the Story?

Well, for starters, let me give a little background on the situation. Apparently, Google had applied to Apple to offer the Google Voice iPhone application that had been created to sell in the iPhone’s App Store. Google stated that the app would “enable users to send international text messages and make inexpensive calls.” Google was violently rejected. Apparently, according to Apple, they rejected this specific one and started pulling others form the store because “…Google has duplicated some of the proprietary content and code…” Google claims that they were denied because the service simply did not live up to the standards of Apple’s high app prices.

So the FCC decided to step in as they sent letters to all companies involved (As it turns out, the FCC was already on both of the companies tails for the board of directors stunt that they both pulled, more on that in a future post…). Google also stated, after a request concerning the Freedom of Information Act, that

“Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Voice app was rejected because Apple believed the app duplicated the core dialer function of the iPhone. The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want applications that could potentially replace such functionality.”

And after the FCC stepped in to ask questions, Apple counters that

“Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.”

So What’s The Real Deal?

Well, as of right now, today, Apple is still claiming that they are reviewing the application and they also claim that they never officially rejected it in the first place. But apparently Google has proof otherwise which they stated in their written response to the FCC.

What Does All This Have To Do With iPhone Users?

Well, for starters, Apple is limiting the services that it will be offereing to iPhone users. For a company who claims to have great customer service, why then would they do that? Well, to be blunt, they are afraid. Because it’s so blatantly obvious that Apple is rejecting these Voice applications because of the pricing structure involved. The Voice app is so very cheap, that it would completely crush anything else offered in the app store. Apple claims that Google’s Voice app is just basically a repeat of other functionality already included in the phone, and that is a reason why it was rejected.

But think about this… Apple approved Skype, which has all of the same functionality as Apple’s AND Google’s apps. So why not deny Skype too? And why not deny any other VoIP application? Also, the Voice application is not the only application belonging to Google that has been pulled. There was one called Latitude that was pulled because of its “identical functionality” as iPhone capabilities. And then there is an app called Textfree, that is exactly the same as iPhone’s text program. Yet it is up and running just fine. Why don’t they ban that one too?

So What’s The Verdict?

Well, I think that it is obvious. Apple is afraid that Google will steal its thunder. There is no real good reason why they should have denied, banned, or taken down any previously approved applications made by Google. I believe that I will be proven right when I state that the only reason that Apple is playing these games is because they are afraid that Google will make Apple lose too much money

Who knows? Maybe Apple is just a little too High Class for a Google app… But then again, Google has a reputation for giving their customers exactly what they want. Peace of mind, great products, at unbeatable prices, usually meaning FREE. And Apple is afraid. It’s that simple. Apple is afraid.

For more articles like this and user ratings and reviews, please visit the home page @ Youserbase.org.
Check back tomorrow for the Windows vs. iPhone App Store Wars…