Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Comments on Google Voice Rejection Filed Today, Google Under Scrutiny for Similar Actions?

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,334
39,163


USA Today reports that Apple, AT&T, and Google are expected to file comments with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission today regarding Apple's rejection of the official Google Voice iPhone application.
Apple (AAPL) and AT&T (T) Friday are expected to tell the Federal Communications Commission why Google's free voice application, called Google Voice, is banned from the Apple iPhone. Google is also filing comments.
Click to expand...
The FCC moved quickly to investigate the application's rejection, looking to determine the extent of AT&T's role in the decision-making process as Apple and the wireless industry have both come under scrutiny in recent months for possible anti-competitive practices.

The report notes, however, that Google may also find itself facing inquiries about a similar issue in which users of handsets based on the company's Android mobile phone operating system are unable to take advantage of full Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service from Skype.
Consumers who use Android, the Google-developed operating system for wireless devices, can't use Skype, a leading Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. A pioneer in free Internet calling, Skype allows you to talk as long as you want without draining cellphone minutes.

Android users get Skype Lite, a watered-down version of the original that routes calls over traditional phone networks -- not the Internet. As a result, long-distance calls are still cheap or free, but cellphone minutes are gobbled up every time a Skype Lite call is made.
Click to expand...
In a statement, Google noted that it does have the ability to block VoIP services at the request of wireless providers. With T-Mobile currently being the only U.S. provider to offer Android-based phones, it would appear that the wireless company is responsible for the limitation on Android-based phones, but a T-Mobile spokesman has denied that that is the case.

USA Today notes that Google has been asked to address its application approval process for Android as part of the Google Voice investigation.

Article Link: Comments on Google Voice Rejection Filed Today, Google Under Scrutiny for Similar Actions?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/08/21/comments-on-google-voice-rejection-filed-today-google-under-scrutiny-for-similar-actions/
Unless I'm missing something I can't see why Google or Apple wouldn't want apps such as VoIP services. The service providers must be playing games.
 
I want skype lite! I would love to be able to make skype calls by using my huge minute allowance. Voice is far more reliable than O2's data network!
 
Very interesting about how Google is getting investigated too. It'd be nice if this led to some actual freedom on how we use these devices.

That would probably mean that prices would go up because the phone companies wouldn't want to subsidize them any longer. I wonder how the American public would react to that.
 
InTheUnion said:
Unless I'm missing something I can't see why Google or Apple wouldn't want apps such as VoIP services. The service providers must be playing games.
Click to expand...

In the case of google, they might want you to use their own VoIP solution instead of skype.
 
Compile 'em all said:
In the case of google, they might want you to use their own VoIP solution instead of skype.
Click to expand...

That's not a case, that's barrier to entry. That's illegal because Google doesn't have the patent on VoIP. Only a patent can protect barriers to entry.
 
Wildog27 said:
Very interesting about how Google is getting investigated too. It'd be nice if this led to some actual freedom on how we use these devices.

That would probably mean that prices would go up because the phone companies wouldn't want to subsidize them any longer. I wonder how the American public would react to that.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I find it hard to believe that a smart phone costs as much as some low end laptops. I find it more likely that the prices are higher in order to maintain profit margins.

Personally, I would rather pay more for an unsubsidized phone and have the freedom to use how I want, with whatever carrier I want. I also believe that very quickly any initial rise in prices will be offset by the competitive nature of retail.
 
I personally think Apple should be allowed to Block what they want. It's their OS, Phone etc.
Same with Google. Although, I see Google as more 'open source' whereas Apple... No. Not at all!
 
Who here even uses any of the VOIP product with their iPhone? I have Truephone installed but I have yet to find a need to use it beyond my initial test call. Google voice is limited to the US anyway so it would be AT&T to blame for it being rejected.

Governments are wasting tax payer dollars on this sort of "investigation".
 
I have no clue what that article said!
AT&T rejecting google voice!?

I have a google voice number, and i can still use it, and I have an at&t service, I have a SE W760a phone though, not an iPhone.
and I must say google voice is one heck of a good stuff.
Control everything for free.
 
Hypocrites

Google is nothing more than one giant ad machine...throwing banners and pop-up windows at the rest of us. Even they are protecting their own turf...and yet I don't blame them.

Why should any company be forced to help out a competitor at the expense of their own sales?
 
what i don't understand about this whole thing is, if what we think is true as to why these apps are not be allowed in the app store (att somehow involved to protect profits) then why does it matter to att? i mean, you have to have the voice plan, what the hell is the difference to them if you use it or not and start using google voice or skype?! they're still getting your money; it's not like you can cancel your voice plan to save money and start using those services instead.
 
MarkCooz said:
I have no clue what that article said!
AT&T rejecting google voice!?

I have a google voice number, and i can still use it, and I have an at&t service, I have a SE W760a phone though, not an iPhone.
and I must say google voice is one heck of a good stuff.
Control everything for free.
Click to expand...

Most of the sites I've seen confuse Google Voice as a VoIP service. You're correct, AT&T is not blocking the calls to your phone; but somebody (either Apple or AT&T) is blocking the Google Voice App for iPhone, which allows you to SMS free through your GV number, get essentially a Visual Voicemail for your GV account, and make phone calls (still using your minutes, as it calls your phone to connect the call) to the contacts on your phone through your GV number.

-rand()
 
Wildog27 said:
That would probably mean that prices would go up because the phone companies wouldn't want to subsidize them any longer. I wonder how the American public would react to that.
Click to expand...

Smart phone sales would plummet. Look at high-end nokia phones sold without contracts. People don't want to pay $600 up front for a phone (even if it's really a mini computer).

kirky29 said:
I personally think Apple should be allowed to Block what they want. It's their OS, Phone etc.
Click to expand...

I agree. I've really about had it with the whining on this issue. Apple controls the platform end to end. You knew that when you bought the phone and signed the contract. Apple never promised approval of every app. Yeah it would be nice if they had approved it, but I think it's bull the FCC is involved. If this is such a terrible thing then it will drive iphone customers to platforms that allow GV, and Apple will be forced to relent.
 
MarkCooz said:
I have no clue what that article said!
AT&T rejecting google voice!?

I have a google voice number, and i can still use it, and I have an at&t service, I have a SE W760a phone though, not an iPhone.
and I must say google voice is one heck of a good stuff.
Control everything for free.
Click to expand...

Right but go look at the google voice app for Blackberry and Andoid.

In both you are allowed to dail out with your Google number so that is the number that comes up on caller ID with you cell phone. Not the one where you have to be at a computer and it bridge the connection

I see TMobile, and verizon hating google voice app a lot more than ATT. This is because you can put the Google number in your Favs list and have unlimited minutes on ALL your phone calls.
 
co.ag.2005 said:
I tell you what is a crime... lack of PUSH GMail on the iPhone!
Click to expand...

You might want to try the GPush App in the App store. It's not really "push emai," but it sends you a push notification when you get an email to your GMail account which is almost exactly what you want and it works pretty well.
 
Wildog27 said:
That would probably mean that prices would go up because the phone companies wouldn't want to subsidize them any longer. I wonder how the American public would react to that.
Click to expand...

Competition brings prices down. When the playing field is level, traditional phone services must justify their existence against VoIP (and vice versa) and must compete for customers. Prices drop. Or they go out of business. Hiking prices won't help their case, not when there's an alternative.

What actually craps me off though, is that if it's true that AT&T is responsible for Google Voice's absence from the iPhone, that they have the ability to prevent customers in markets where they don't even have a presence (ie: everybody outside the US) from getting it. So, let's say it's upside-down-crazy-mixed-up-imaginationland and AT&T have legitimate reasons for not allowing/wanting Google Voice, and are entitled to prevent its availability. Why does that also apply to everyone else in the world who has never ever had any contact whatsoever with AT&T, including those who buy their phones outright and without subsidy (let alone a subsidy from AT&T)?
 
Since the root of the problem is peak hour network bandwidth shortages, not handset, software or even network addressability issues, how about the government give Apple, Google, and AT&T a $10B GRANT for network backhaul upgrades and rural wireless internet access?

The 10 second solution to the problem. They can wire the funds this afternoon. Furthermore, all the plans are in place. This is a "shovel ready" idea if I have ever heard one.

Rocketman
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back