These are incredible! Note that the FCC is calling Apple out on what specific rules and regulations govern app store rejections and to outline their appeals process. Maybe this will lead to Apple being more open about the process?
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FCC Investigating Apple's Rejection of Google Voice iPhone Application
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These are incredible! Note that the FCC is calling Apple out on what specific rules and regulations govern app store rejections and to outline their appeals process. Maybe this will lead to Apple being more open about the process?
GV is more than text. It is also number forwarding. The app streamlined both text and dialing out from this number.
For example, suppose you are from LA with a 323 area code, and you move to NYC with 212 area code. You can use GV to set up a 212 number to have a local number that you give out in NYC.
you have no idea what you are talking about, what Google voice is (and what it can do).
Yes, but the list is too long for most people who actually know what they are talking about to bother. . .
Talk about needing to think before commenting.
if Apple closed the AppStore, then you might indeed be entitled to some form of refund since Apple has promoted this as a primary reason for buying the iPhone.
Blackberry users are probably going "Good lord, the lightning rod [iPhone] is going to cause me to lose GV on my BB. Thanks iPhone for ruining everything! Oh, and we will probably lose 3G ability with our Slingplayer also!"
The iPhone is such a popular device, it's driving how the entire wireless industry reacts to everything. Pretty amazing for a device that so recently launched!
This is all very interesting...
*grabs popcorn and a beer*
I'd be satisfied with voiding my warranty if they'd leave me alone after. But every time they offer an OS upgrade it bricks the jailbroken phone or causes everyone to expend a lot of energy.
So Apple, do what you want with the app store but, if I need more, let me jailbreak, and void my warranty but quit with the harassment.
I love Apple, I do, and I'm pleasantly ambivalent towards AT&T, but this was wrong and I'm glad it's being looked into.
Happily, though, I've had Grand Central/Google Voice for years and bought the GV Mobile app shortly after it was released instead of waiting for the free Google app I knew would come along. If they take that app away from me now, I'd be upset. For now...I'll gloat, I guess.
*Gloats*
Happily, though, I've had Grand Central/Google Voice for years and bought the GV Mobile app shortly after it was released instead of waiting for the free Google app I knew would come along. If they take that app away from me now, I'd be upset. For now...I'll gloat, I guess.
*Gloats*
These types of thoughts in this day and age amaze me. Exactly how is AT&T being cheated? I don't know, maybe people really don't know what calling cards are. If that the case? People just are confused? Do you know?
Anyhoo. No, Apple would not be foolish to allow this. They allow you to see AT&T voice network to all sorts of phone services. You can call for weather. You can call for pizza. You can call to check your voice mail at home. AT&T doesn't get a dime from these services, other than your airtime.
Similarly, you can use your AT&T voice line to call a calling card service. Just for simplicity sake, lets call this calling card service Goo. AT&T allows you to use Goo or any other calling card service, even though you are using them to get cheaper long distance. They have to allow this.
Is this any more clear? Do people really think AT&T and Apple are right to try to block GV?
I hope that if Google Voice app is approved, then the developers of Skype app will be allowed to remove the stupid limitations they put on their app just because Apple approve a fully functional application. Like you can't call through 3G networks (whereas for example on a Nokia you can), you can't use your online number (which you can on all other platforms) etc.
The chance is very slim, though.
The chance is very slim, though.
So having other valid choices available doesn't a free market make? Yes. It. Does. It is the **very** definition of a free market. Companies have no obligation to create free markets within their own ecosystems, at least not in this country, and not yet. Maybe in Cuba or China, or in this country in a few more years, the way things are going.
And as soon as you make such a requirement on companies, do expect a significant drop off in innovations like the iPhone and the app stores. Companies who are expected to create ecosystems open for all other companies to benefit from simply won't develop such innovations. But maybe the government will do it, or force companies to do at gunpoint, for you!
They are not morally right to, no, but capitalistically they are correct. You can easily use GV to keep your hard earned money out of AT&T's pockets. Instead of texting away from my iPhone and contributing money to one of the biggest scams ever perpetrated by one man on another, I use GV to send texts. Which is completely free.
OH Please... the APP Store is not a product of Free Market Innovation.. It's basically a carrier app deck that's been redressed and updated.
Carrier App Decks have been around as long as Applications have been available on mobile phones. The fact is instead of AT&T directly controlling it, they just "influence it".
Bottom line is we should be able to go to ANY app store.
What if Microsoft required you buy any and all applications for Windows through their exclusive APP store?
How many people would go for that?
Would everyone please stop with the double standards? I mean, what's fair is fair and Apple is not being fair with the app store (AT&T not withstanding).
AF
The Letters from FCC
Fascinating.
Below is my response to this affair that I posted to MacInTouch yesterday:
"Commentary and Tips
The FCC is trying to figure out if there in fact is collusion happening and if so is that a part of the "business agreements" between Apple and ATT. I sense both companies are at a total loss on this. This whole incident, which we all know has been building slowly since Apple removed tethering from the App Store, has gone too far for everyone. I know I do not know who to believe or who to trust and I wince each time I have to use the Iphone. Luckily I have a backup account with T-Moblle.
egis
Fascinating.
Below is my response to this affair that I posted to MacInTouch yesterday:
"Commentary and Tips
I believe Apple touts it has 65,000 apps in the store. However, the amount of "Hot Air" is simply gross... There are 363 farting, burping, rude noise apps for one to choose from. Gee, I wish that Apple would be that free and allow the really strong, vibrant, useful apps to be treated in the same manner and let us consumers decide what is good and what is not.
It is obvious that the app approval policy and way that policy is interpreted is a moving target, and I have no doubt that both Apple and ATT collaborate on not only what gets into the store, but what stays there. No developer with any serious intent to improve the utility of the iPhone will want to submit when there is no transparency and inconsistent, case by case application of rules.
With neither Apple or ATT offering any explanation, I can only guess at what reasons either company has formulated to induce the removal, but I hope they both are getting the right kind of feedback from those of us who see the iPhone as a real tool and not a play toy.
I have made a complaint about removal of GVMobile and other Google voice apps (http://www.apple.com/feedback/). If you see this incident as an arbitrary market action please take a moment and let them know and do request a public explanation.
Thanks
It is obvious that the app approval policy and way that policy is interpreted is a moving target, and I have no doubt that both Apple and ATT collaborate on not only what gets into the store, but what stays there. No developer with any serious intent to improve the utility of the iPhone will want to submit when there is no transparency and inconsistent, case by case application of rules.
With neither Apple or ATT offering any explanation, I can only guess at what reasons either company has formulated to induce the removal, but I hope they both are getting the right kind of feedback from those of us who see the iPhone as a real tool and not a play toy.
I have made a complaint about removal of GVMobile and other Google voice apps (http://www.apple.com/feedback/). If you see this incident as an arbitrary market action please take a moment and let them know and do request a public explanation.
Thanks
The FCC is trying to figure out if there in fact is collusion happening and if so is that a part of the "business agreements" between Apple and ATT. I sense both companies are at a total loss on this. This whole incident, which we all know has been building slowly since Apple removed tethering from the App Store, has gone too far for everyone. I know I do not know who to believe or who to trust and I wince each time I have to use the Iphone. Luckily I have a backup account with T-Moblle.
egis
No argument on the internet is complete without a car analogy. At least we got it out of the way on the first page.
I've always wondered, when people argue about cars on the internet, what analogy do they use?
ahh, but they still get your money. Trying to keep GV out is just trying to get more into their pockets.
Apple made the iPhone and the App Store in a free market, right? Now it's their fault that they've created a monopoly?
SJ (and all the Apple employees) eats/sleeps/goes to the bathroom as does every other person in a free market economy.
If you don't want to be a part of it, then don't be. It's as simple as that. You are free to go make something to compete with it.
Otherwise, you have to play in their sandbox, they'll welcome you just like any other 4 year old obeying the rules.
SJ (and all the Apple employees) eats/sleeps/goes to the bathroom as does every other person in a free market economy.
If you don't want to be a part of it, then don't be. It's as simple as that. You are free to go make something to compete with it.
Otherwise, you have to play in their sandbox, they'll welcome you just like any other 4 year old obeying the rules.
Very well stated and agreed.
I also submitted my complaint to Apple via the feedback form yesterday. Please let me second that request that everyone who sees this as an issue to send feedback to Apple.
AF
WHat the heck does going to the bathroom have to do with any of this? Besides, have you ever set foot in an executive restroom? Can you say deluxe private shower with swedish masseuse on stand by?! lol
I know exactly what it does.
It replaces functions that the iPhone already has.
The letters say that they (Apple, ATT, Google) can ask for secrecy if they wish, under the usual rules as outlined in 47 CFR 0.457 - 47 CFR 0.459.. These are the same rules used when getting certification, btw.
This means that they can claim secrecy for information about contract negotiations (not the contracts themselves), trade secrets (can't think of any in this case) and ummm... that's about it. Everything else can be revealed at the FCC's discretion, with five days' warning.
Basically, the FCC is telling them they have some public explaining to do.