Apple Rejects Official Google Voice iPhone Application

[optophobia]

Ridiculous post of the day award.

Ok, I don't know much about GV, but I have to say, I don't see how this could be allowed on the iphone or any other device. If I'm reading this right, it would strip the telecoms of a huge amount of revenue. And as much as we all love to rip on them, at the end of the day, we need them because google ain't providing coast-to-coast cell phone infrastructure.

Some tell me if I'm misunderstanding something here, but isn't GV a massive slap at all telecoms?

From someone who just posted "Ridiculous post of the day award. " to another poster, I will do the same to you. How about you actually READ what GV actually IS. And in answer to your question, then yes, you are obviously misunderstanding something.

 

[DavidLeblond]

... and the problem with that would be???

Why not just use the voice part of the "iPhone"?

You've already paid for voice through your provider...

Unless you're using an iPod Touch.

 

[NoExpectations]

Well then...

Oddly enough if you have a Blackberry on AT&Ts network you can get GV...

..this appears to be an Apple Decision.

 

[SPUY767]

what baffles me is that things like skype and such are allowed but no google voice. does apple have something against google?Apple better approve the app by tommorow or something and say its a "mistake"

Yes, apple hates google, hence a google co founder on Apple's board. Get a clue.

 

[jf8]

..this appears to be an Apple Decision.

RIM doesn't control what applications users can run on their devices - software vendors can just provide end users with a URL to download applications on the device - no interaction with RIM required.. The same is true for Windows Mobile devices - Microsoft doesn't control what applications can run on the device.

 

[QCassidy352]

From someone who just posted "Ridiculous post of the day award. " to another poster, I will do the same to you. How about you actually READ what GV actually IS. And in answer to your question, then yes, you are obviously misunderstanding something.

How about you contribute something to the discussion instead of clogging up the board with posts that say nothing?

Free calls and SMS in the contiguous US = massively reduced revenue for telecoms. So please, explain oh wise one.

 

[benpatient]

this will be undone very, very quickly...you know why?

because if not, google's going to block iphone-based IP addresses from accessing google maps or something, and very publicly explain that they're just doing it to avoid duplicating the functionality of other, non-Apple providers.

 

[alent1234]

Google is really a company that you want on your side, not against you. Eventually Apple might actually upset them. I don't think this is the case yet, but eventually. The Iphone is the best thing on the market now. But I really think Google will be a big step into making other phones just as good, if not better.

This will be interesting to watch.

so say Google pulls Maps from iPhones? Apple can just go to MS and license Virtual Earth. it's very mature and was a lot better than Google Maps and still used by corporate customers and in a lot of products. Google Maps just gets a lot of hype

 

[sishaw]

To all the people saying, "just use your phone for voice," you are not understanding the features of Google Voice, which include the use of a single phone number for all phones and SMS, speech-to-text voicemail, low international calling rates, conference calling, and call recording, for example.

PLEASE READ relevant material before you post. It is very easy to find this information. I certainly hope Apple/ATT would reconsider. What they are failing to realize is that adding cool features people want make it more likely that the iPhone will become the "go to" device for many purposes, probably increasing revenues.

 

[ilfn143]

I guess i'm missing the point here, but what exactly was the benefit of Google Voice? You could talk on it? Can't you already do that on the iphone itself? Talk plans are pretty cheap, so what's the point? you could text on GV? I have a 1500 text plan that i never go over 300 on. So where's the benefit there?

And I know people love to dump on AT&T, but they are a business and they are out to make money, after all.

Here's a list of benefit:
http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=16783

Features

o About voicemail transcriptions
o About ListenIn
o Call screening vs. Call presentation
o Changing screened name
o Switching phones during an incoming call
o Recording phone calls
o Temporary call forwarding
o Sending all calls to voicemail
o About the Call button
o About the SMS button
o Recording outbound calls
o Conference calling on the fly
o About call widgets
o Goog411 integration
o Compatibility with SIP services
o Adding a Gizmo number
o Taking calls from Gizmo

 

[jf8]

How about you contribute something to the discussion instead of clogging up the board with posts that say nothing?

Free calls and SMS in the contiguous US = massively reduced revenue for telecoms. So please, explain oh wise one.

Except that Google Voice makes and receives calls on the public telephone network and sends SMS to mobile phones on the public telephone network... Google is paying other telecommunications companies for this. Google is providing a telecommunications service; Google itself is now a telecom.

 

[iSee]

This is pretty disappointing.

I love my iPhone and iTunes...

But it is clear that I'll be missing out on a lot of good stuff if I want to stick with them.

Apps are king. What we can do with our phones -- not the device itself or even the OS -- is the #1 thing. If another phone has the apps I want while the iPhone doesn't, I'll switch, even if I don't like the device or OS quite as much.

Well, Apple has a couple years to get their act together before I'm in the market for a new phone. I hope they see the light.

 

[QCassidy352]

this will be undone very, very quickly...you know why?

because if not, google's going to block iphone-based IP addresses from accessing google maps or something, and very publicly explain that they're just doing it to avoid duplicating the functionality of other, non-Apple providers.

I doubt it. Google wants as many people as possible to use as many of their apps as possible. Removing google maps or other google services from iphones is cutting off their nose to spite their face. They'd rather apple allowed all google apps, but the next best thing is allowing some google apps.

Except that Google Voice makes and receives calls on the public telephone network and sends SMS to mobile phones on the public telephone network... Google is paying other telecommunications companies for this. Google is providing a telecommunications service; Google itself is now a telecom.

thank you! that's the part that I wasn't seeing anywhere.

 

[Saladinos]

Ridiculous post of the day award.

Ok, I don't know much about GV, but I have to say, I don't see how this could be allowed on the iphone or any other device. If I'm reading this right, it would strip the telecoms of a huge amount of revenue. And as much as we all love to rip on them, at the end of the day, we need them because google ain't providing coast-to-coast cell phone infrastructure.

Some tell me if I'm misunderstanding something here, but isn't GV a massive slap at all telecoms?

No. It'd have to use WiFi on the iPhone side.

I'm really getting fed up with Apple. A number of really exciting 3rd party apps have been announced lately, and with each one you wonder if Apple will just reject them. Others have been crippled because of Apple's draconian policies.

I've just had a neat idea

 

[optophobia]

How about you contribute something to the discussion instead of clogging up the board with posts that say nothing?

Free calls and SMS in the contiguous US = massively reduced revenue for telecoms. So please, explain oh wise one.

Thanks for posting a link to a wiki page. So apparently you CAN read.

Not quite FREE You are still using up your minutes, so no not MASSIVELY REDUCED REVENUE, your logic fails
What GV allows for most is one number to call all phones, but also converts your voicemail to text in an email. Also you can listen in on voicemail live without "picking up".

"wise one". Nice I like it. Oh and just noticed you are located in Boston, MA, sorry.

To all the people saying, "just use your phone for voice," you are not understanding the features of Google Voice, which include the use of a single phone number for all phones and SMS, speech-to-text voicemail, low international calling rates, conference calling, and call recording, for example.

PLEASE READ relevant material before you post. It is very easy to find this information. I certainly hope Apple/ATT would reconsider. What they are failing to realize is that adding cool features people want make it more likely that the iPhone will become the "go to" device for many purposes, probably increasing revenues.

AGREED, and thanks for a great post.

QCassidy352 if you are reading this I suggest you read the quoted post "oh wise one"

 

[Gyrferret]

It is fun using google voice on my Blackberry. I will say though, it does kinda suck right now for you guys in the iPhone camp. But then again, I believe At&T sees the iPhone as a greater (potential) abuser of Google Voice than people who use Blackberries...... plus, the App Store is across multiple carriers (if that matters at all)...

 

[(L)]

Fail

AT&T Fail.

Apple double Fail.

This is plain as day. As much as I'd like to support Apple, considering the capabilities of the iPhone, AT&T is only a hindrance. Good in the beginning for sales, sure. I'm still waiting for Apple to get up off its behind and call in the age of doom for traditional cell phone devices. Let the thing be VoIP, let the texting be free! The business model change could even boost the economy somewhat, if done with some sense, rather than let AT&T sit on its traditionally bad service.

 

[alFR]

To all the people saying, "just use your phone for voice," you are not understanding the features of Google Voice, which include the use of a single phone number for all phones and SMS, speech-to-text voicemail, low international calling rates, conference calling, and call recording, for example.

So, why does any of that need an iPhone app? Doesn't it work with non-smart phones? Or your landline? If it does, how is not having an app for it stopping you using those features with your iPhone? I'm not being argumentative, I just genuinely don't know how this works - they don't offer the service here in Europe!

 

[bilboa]

Hmmm can I get a version of the google application for a cracked iPhone? or something similar to it?

I so cannot wait till Verizon goes over to LTE/3G.4G and the iPhone is on there network. AT&T's greedy. Apple should learn that loose lips screw others over. It'd be a waste of time and money but what if Google Sued Apple over this?

??? Verizon is much worse than AT&T when it comes to artificially crippling phone features to try to force users to buy their services. For instance the force phones to disable Bluetooth OBEX support so you'll have to pay verizon to transfer photos from your phone to your computer! I don't know why some people imagine that Verizon would be more generous than AT&T in this regard.

 

[Oskee2001]

Will you still be able to use GV as a webapp?

 

[slu]

So, why does any of that need an iPhone app? Doesn't it work with non-smart phones? Or your landline? If it does, how is not having an app for it stopping you using those features with your iPhone? I'm not being argumentative, I just genuinely don't know how this works - they don't offer the service here in Europe!

Not specifically picking on you, because several people have posted similar questions, but here: http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

It is not hard to look this stuff up people.

Someone already posted in the thread the major features of Google Voice. Many of which are not available on the iPhone in any manner at all.

Also, this still uses minutes, so the people that say it doesn't are ignorant. In fact, one could argue you would use more minutes because you can have one number that rings all your phones so you are more likely to answer a call on your cell phone when you are out when someone normally would be calling your other number(s). Or you would use more minutes listening in on voice mail as it is being left.

The main problem I have with this is Apple's argument that it "duplicates functionality". There are dozens of apps that duplicate functionality, including several SMS apps.

This is nothing more than a power play by Apple and AT&T and it stinks.

 

[brian5]

I was so happy to get allocated two Google Voice numbers. I'm using one for personal- and one for work-related calls. (I actually have been given a third that I have not used yet). I was even happier when I saw that Google had an app on Android and BlackBerry platforms.

Now it all becomes clear that that the Apple monopoly has blocked the Google Voice app and the GV Mobile app. I think Apple's control of the iPhone apps is ridiculous!

I had jailbroken my iPhone 3G (OS 3.0) but recently undid that. Now that FV Mobile app is available on Cydia, I'm considering jail-breaking my iPhone just so that I can run that app.

With all the stuff that's been going on around the iTunes Store (including blocking RIM users), I'm beginning to wonder how much longer I can continue to use my iPhone. An Android may be in my future...

 

[kironin]

No good can come from this.

another opening for Android to exploit.

 

[alFR]

Not specifically picking on you, because several people have posted similar questions, but here: http://www.google.com/googlevoice/about.html

It is not hard to look this stuff up people.

Er yes, I read that - none of which answers my question as to why you need an iPhone app if it will work with a landline or a non-smart phone - it looks like it's all done server-side to me, with the functions controlled via the phone keypad.

 

[bubba*nix]

How can this be blamed on AT&T when the Blackberry GV App (on my AT&T phone) works fine. This is all Apple's fault. And for reneging on the already approved GV Mobile apps? How sad. I agree that my love for Apple has been hurt by this crap.