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

FCC Investigating Apple's Rejection of Google Voice iPhone Application

CharBroiled20s said:
The most appealing ideal iPhone offers is the unlimited expansion of features it supposedly provides. Simply put, this is a fallacy. Apple has quietly adopted a very real and tangible anti competitive culture.

The fact remains that someone IS deciding what is available to US - we are left out of the equation when an app is summarily rejected from the AppStore... These apps should be allowed to sink or swim in an open venue. If they fare better than the original (Apple) implementation then Apple needs to work harder on their products... Blocking the competition IS anti competitive and that IS illegal.

If this continues we will see the common roots shared by Microsoft & Apple re-converge with Apple having ignored the lessons hard learned by Microsoft's anti-competitive past... These same mistakes still plague Microsoft today...

Innovation is not bread through greed or self righteousness
Click to expand...

Yeah someone is indeed deciding, and I am perfectly fine with that. Apple is doing us all a favor (in my mind) by creating an amazing App store where users can go to find programs for their handheld devices. Have you ever used Windows Mobile? Finding applications for those devices is a total disaster as they are scattered all over the place. The App Store consolidates everything into 1 place. Developers also get a rich set of API's, and guides to work with (I am a dev).

However if you purchased the iPhone expecting to be able to do whatever your heart desired on the device, you clearly purchased the phone for the wrong reason. When I first got my iPhone and iPod Touch, I never even thought there would be an app store. Then when I found out about the inclusion of one, I never thought it would be any good. But it is. Tons of great apps, available at your fingertips. Its great.

Yeah, they have restrictions. They should. Imagine if they didn't. If you don't like the restrictions, BUY A DIFFERENT PHONE. Get the Android devices if you want. They have a more open OS, and apps can background, replace default apps, and do all that other stuff to your hearts content. I never saw Apple advertise the app store as a place where developers had the freedom to create any application that did anything they wanted to do and Apple would toss it in their storefront.

Sounds like you need Android. I have a G1 I will sell you if you want it. Have fun with the laggy, buggy, battery killing crash-fest known as Android.
 
uberamd said:
...
Sounds like you need Android. I have a G1 I will sell you if you want it. Have fun with the laggy, buggy, battery killing crash-fest known as Android.
Click to expand...

Do you have any basis for this or are you just making stuff up for no reason?

Because my experience with the Android has been quite the opposite.
 
iBlue said:
Do you have any basis for this or are you just making stuff up for no reason?

Because my experience with the Android has been quite the opposite.
Click to expand...

Cool, the flame war has spilled over onto this thread too.
 
I'm interested in how this plays out. I like Apple and all, but its kinda ridiculous. Apple seems to be able to spin its way out of these situations and turn it into a positive, I'd like to see how they play this one out.

Good news is they didn't pull an amazon.:D
 
iBlue said:
Do you have any basis for this or are you just making stuff up for no reason?

Because my experience with the Android has been quite the opposite.
Click to expand...

I have an Android G1. I used it for a few weeks after putting my 3GS down (purely for testing of Android) and I can tell you that my experiences were horrible. Android has a LOT of potential, but right now its just potential. Apps run in the background and slow the device to a halt. The touch interface is not refined at all (in comparison to the iPhone). The browser doesn't support multi touch. Same for pictures, you need to use -/+ zoom buttons. Oh and if you want multi touch you need to reflash your phone which might void your warranty. The on screen keyboard is more difficult to use due to the width and thickness of the device, and I found myself waiting for up to 7 seconds for my home screen with its icons to show up after pressing the home button.

The device is underpowered for the OS that runs on it, and the OS does nothing to optimize itself for the device. Its slow to boot (watch the speed comparisons on youtube if you want, takes multiple times longer than the 3GS to start up with 1.5 installed), has no multitouch support out of the box, and has deplorable battery life due in part to backgrounding and the fact that every app thinks it needs to background at boot for notifications.

And yeah, I do own both the 3GS and G1 so I could conduct these tests. Do you? I was ready to dump my 3GS for Android and the G1 because I saw this amazing greener pasture of unlimited possibilities. Wow, did it turn out to be a drag.

And iBlue, learn to keep things in the same thread. Are you a kid who holds a grudge or something? I simply wanted facts for a previous statement you made because you didn't start your opinion with "I think that...", instead you stated it like a fact.
 
uberamd said:
I have an Android G1. I used it for a few weeks after putting my 3GS down (purely for testing of Android) and I can tell you that my experiences were horrible. Android has a LOT of potential, but right now its just potential. Apps run in the background and slow the device to a halt. The touch interface is not refined at all (in comparison to the iPhone). The browser doesn't support multitouch. Same for pictures, you need to use -/+ zoom buttons. The on screen keyboard is more difficult to use due to the width and thickness of the device, and I found myself waiting for up to 7 seconds for my home screen with its icons to show up after pressing the home button.

The device is underpowered for the OS that runs on it, and the OS does nothing to optimize itself for the device. Its slow to boot (watch the speed comparisons on youtube if you want, takes multiple times longer than the 3GS to start up), has no multitouch support out of the box, and has deplorable battery life due in part to backgrounding and the fact that every app thinks it needs to background at boot for notifications.

And yeah, I do own both the 3GS and G1 so I could conduct these tests. Do you? I was ready to dump my 3GS for Android and the G1 because I saw this amazing greener pasture of unlimited possibilities. Wow, did it turn out to be a drag.

And iBlue, learn to keep things in the same thread. Are you a kid who holds a grudge or something? I simply wanted facts for a previous statement you made because you didn't start your opinion with "I think that...", instead you stated it like a fact.
Click to expand...

Nah, I was just giving you crap. (it was a bit childish, perhaps) My attention span/care level is not enough to hold a grudge.

I've used Android on my husband's HTC Magic and I think it's ace. You're right, it is at the potential stage but I predict (just an opinion, mind) that it's going to take off. iPhone is fab, don't get me wrong, but I like having a bit more choice (to simplify) and I feel I can have more of that desired openness with Android.

Sucks you had a bad experience with it. I don't think the G1 is the best example for Android really. I don't mind the lack of multi-touch, for what it's worth. The reason for that is that I can use it in one hand, multi-touch requires both hands and that's a real bugger if you're stuck standing up on the train or something.
 
iBlue said:
Nah, I was just giving you crap. (it was a bit childish, perhaps) My attention span/care level is not enough to hold a grudge.

I've used Android on my husband's HTC Magic and I think it's ace. You're right, it is at the potential stage but I predict (just an opinion, mind) that it's going to take off. iPhone is fab, don't get me wrong, but I like having a bit more choice (to simplify) and I feel I can have more of that desired openness with Android.

Sucks you had a bad experience with it. I don't think the G1 is the best example for Android really. I don't mind the lack of multi-touch, for what it's worth. The reason for that is that I can use it in one hand, multi-touch requires both hands and that's a real bugger if you're stuck standing up on the train or something.
Click to expand...

Yeah multi touch isn't really a major deal, its just something I suppose I take for granted. When I fired up my G1 after getting it and went to the browser, the first thing I did is try to pinch zoom. Oops. Using -/+ to zoom wouldn't be all that bad but on the G1 its laggy, so it responds shortly after pressing the button. Throw android on the iPhone hardware, and I really think it would fly.
 
uberamd said:
Yeah multi touch isn't really a major deal, its just something I suppose I take for granted. When I fired up my G1 after getting it and went to the browser, the first thing I did is try to pinch zoom. Oops. Using -/+ to zoom wouldn't be all that bad but on the G1 its laggy, so it responds shortly after pressing the button. Throw android on the iPhone hardware, and I really think it would fly.
Click to expand...
Definitely! I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the new handsets with Android. The HTC Hero for one looks like a spiffy piece of kit.
 
John.B said:
LOL! All this angst over slightly easier access to a technology that Google isn't letting 99.99% of the iPhone owning population have access to.



But, hey, at least you can watch a yootoob video of the technology they aren't letting people access!

Let's see the FCC investigate what it takes actually get an invite to Google Voice before they investigate whether the app should've been pulled!

(And spare me the "it's in beta" excuse, since their applications are commonly in beta for years.)
Click to expand...
What does it take? About 2 weeks. They aren't ready for the flood, so they slowly increase the number of users. Very common for proper software development.

Google has a very valid reason if asked. So, let them ask.
 
bigmc6000 said:
You're forgetting the 1 important part - MB does care because now your warranty is void...

Also, it's all going to be GM anyway since we (the tax payers) own it if you don't buy GM it's just a bad investment of your tax money (oh what a tangled web we weave...)
Click to expand...

My iPhone is out of warranty.

My PC is in warranty but I can add any SW or hardware I want.
 
Razeus said:
Eric Schimdt, Google CEO, has resigned from Apple's board. I figured that was coming.
Click to expand...

I bet the next patch from Apple will remove google maps and how will this affect "Find My iPhone" functionality in Mobile Me?
 
MarkAK said:
I bet the next patch from Apple will remove google maps and how will this affect "Find My iPhone" functionality in Mobile Me?
Click to expand...

Yes, I love how their little childish squabbles put the consumer in the middle to bear much of the pain.
 
Razeus said:
Eric Schimdt, Google CEO, has resigned from Apple's board. I figured that was coming.
Click to expand...
Having Apple as a partner must be half dream half nightmare, you never know when they'll turn and stab you in the back.

Microsoft helped Apple develop software for the original Macintosh back in the day, and helped save their butts by investing $150 million when Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy. Once they had recovered, Apple launched a smear campaign against Windows and PCs, a tradition that has continued to this day.

Adobe and Apple were in bed together for a long time. They built the desktop publishing business together. Apple thanked them by launching Final Cut Pro and making Acrobat redundant for Macs, and Adobe returned the 'favor' by pulling Premiere and After Effects from the Mac platform. Several Adobe products are now Windows-only, and others are merely better on Windows (64-bit Photoshop anyone?).

Google have been an excellent partner, instrumental in delivering some of the iPhone's best stuff such as Maps. Until one day, Apple rejected their Voice app like it was yet another 'Pull My Finger', and now Schmidt is pulling out. I bet it's only a question of time before Apple launches their own search engine while Google Maps mysteriously disappears from the iPhone home screen.

I wonder if one day all the major partners who have been screwed by Apple, all the developers who had their iPhone apps rejected for no valid reason and all the software companies who've had their livelihood taken away when Apple released a similar product that was either bundled with OS X or heavily subsidized by hardware sales, will encircle Apple like senators around Julius Ceasar...
 
Anuba said:
Microsoft helped Apple develop software for the original Macintosh back in the day, and helped save their butts by investing $150 million when Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy. Once they had recovered, Apple launched a smear campaign against Windows and PCs, a tradition that has continued to this day.
Click to expand...
Nice fictional account. Apple had $3 billion (with a "b") in cash at that time. They were no where near bankruptcy. BTW, that $150 million "investment" would be worth a pretty penny today if Microsoft had held onto it. ;)
 
John.B said:
Nice fictional account. Apple had $3 billion (with a "b") in cash at that time. They were no where near bankruptcy.
Click to expand...
There seem to be an awful lot of "fictional accounts" of that story, then...

"...Well, the $150 million gets Apple a little new lease on life..." "...a company hanging on by its fingernails..."

"... it was Microsoft that saved Apple upon Steve Jobs' return in the late 1990s after the company nearly collapsed due to mismanagement and slow computer sales..."

It doesn't really matter, though. Let's assume for the sake of argument that Apple would've been just fine anyway. It doesn't change the fact that MS did invest a 9 figure sum in Apple, and backstabbing is a poor way to repay it.
 
Not sure if this was posted yet, but the FCC makes these letters publicly available.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1737A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1739A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1736A1.pdf

I think Apple and AT&T are on shaky ground. Whether or not anything was done wrong, they have the attention of regulators and that is rarely good.

The FCC asks some good questions, those which developers really need answers to:

5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for
what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of
applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this
posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?

6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone
applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing,
reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of
applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an
application?
 
wlh99 said:
Not sure if this was posted yet, but the FCC makes these letters publicly available.

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1737A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1739A1.pdf
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-09-1736A1.pdf

I think Apple and AT&T are on shaky ground. Whether or not anything was done wrong, they have the attention of regulators and that is rarely good.

The FCC asks some good questions, those which developers really need answers to:

5. What other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone and for
what reasons? Is there a list of prohibited applications or of categories of
applications that is provided to potential vendors/developers? If so, is this
posted on the iTunes website or otherwise disclosed to consumers?

6. What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone
applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing,
reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of
applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an
application?
Click to expand...

Wow, someone turn on the fan cuz the sh!!t is about to hit it.
 
Interesting news. I wonder if Skype's latest legal squabble will make Apple drop the app like a hot potato ... :cool:
 
wlh99 said:
I think Apple and AT&T are on shaky ground. Whether or not anything was done wrong, they have the attention of regulators and that is rarely good.
Click to expand...

If you look at the letter to Google, the FCC asks Google the same question on how Google rejects Android apps.

It's all biting Google back in the ass.
 
Anuba said:
There seem to be an awful lot of "fictional accounts" of that story, then...

"...Well, the $150 million gets Apple a little new lease on life..." "...a company hanging on by its fingernails..."
"... it was Microsoft that saved Apple upon Steve Jobs' return in the late 1990s after the company nearly collapsed due to mismanagement and slow computer sales..."

It doesn't really matter, though. Let's assume for the sake of argument that Apple would've been just fine anyway. It doesn't change the fact that MS did invest a 9 figure sum in Apple, and backstabbing is a poor way to repay it.
Click to expand...
they are competitors. It's not backstabbing to fairly compete. What did you expect Apple to do in thanks for the token investment, tell everyone to buy a PC? Besides, apple thanked them by making IE the default browser on Macs at that time. Which was something very much sought by MS.

Microsoft did not save Apple. That is just silly. Microsoft was acting in their own best interests, given their antitrust issues at the time.
 
samab said:
If you look at the letter to Google, the FCC asks Google the same question on how Google rejects Android apps.

It's all biting Google back in the ass.
Click to expand...

Only if you make the leap that google's approval process is the same. I don't know but I would expect it is more open, transparent, balanced and less biased. Maybe they are just as closed and arbitrary, but that tends to skew away from the corporate culture they project. It they can show they do not use their approval as a kludge for competitive advantage against their partner developers, their asses will be quite bitemark free.
 
In general, I actually support Apple in rejecting apps that violate their exclusive carriers' terms of service - whether they reject it on their own or the carrier notifies them of violations. That said, however, I hope that there are two issues that this inquiry changes:

1) Official iPhone apps should not be exclusive to the App Store. You can buy music from the iTunes store, but you don't have to. Why should apps be any different? Everyone benefits from this model. Apple can reject whatever apps they don't want in their store; they have nothing to worry about if they are not the sole distributor. They win because it won't matter how closed, arbitrary, or opaque their approval process is. Developers benefit because they will still be able to sell apps that Apple doesn't approve. Consumers benefit because they can install any app built with the official SDK regardless of Apple's judgment.

2) The terms of service of wireless carriers need to change. It's about time that wireless carriers can no longer dictate how we can use wireless data. They can price and limit their service all they want (bandwidth cap, data cap, etc.) - but don't dictate what we can do with that data. "With our unlimited plan, you get 5 GB of data per month - unless you tether to your computer, of course, that will cost you extra. Don't stream any digital media either, that's not even allowed." Five GB is 5 GB, regardless of how we use it.
 
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