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I Quit The iPhone!

darngooddesign said:
...

If you want something new then cool, but don't pretend the solutions aren't available for the iPhone.
Click to expand...

Ah, whats a thread on MacRumors without a good old fashion Apple fanboy?

I love people like you. You're the type of person who defended MacBooks not having an SD card slot to your friends, and then the second Apple puts an SD card slot on the MacBooks, you go and defend Apple for putting it there.

You'd sit there and argue that a grid of icons is better than any other UI on the planet, why of course? Well its obvious, Apple says a grid of icons is the way to go, and you are so in love with Steve Jobs that you bow down and agree that a grid of icons is the only logical choice for a UI.

You are in every essence of the word an Apple fanboy, you shoot down peoples opinions and declare your view as fact.

In my opinion, the iPhone lacks alot of things that other phones have, true multitasking and built in voip for example. In my opinion, running apps in the background isn't multitasking at all, running in the background and the ability to switch between apps with an easy fluid motion is. Like profets said, making a call on Skype, and a call comes in, Skype is forced to shut down.

The iPhone is a great machine, but it has a great deal of things to improve on.
 
well let's see. I had an iphone before ANY apps were allowed, and liked it quite a lot. So am I going to leave the iphone because one specific app, which I had never heard of and wouldn't use if available, was rejected? No, no I don't think I will.

aprofetto said:
In my opinion, the iPhone lacks alot of things that other phones have, true multitasking and built in voip for example. In my opinion, running apps in the background isn't multitasking at all, the ability to switch between apps with an easy fluid motion is. Like profets said, making a call on Skype, and a call comes in, Skype is forced to shut down.
Click to expand...

Multitasking is both the ability to switch between apps AND the ability to run in the background - as your own example proves.
 
:}

iQuit.png
 
hehejames said:
Questions for all -

Will you quit the iPhone due to (Apple & AT&T)'s recent behavior? E.g. blocking Google Voice app and host of others? A tech blogger M. Arrington from TechCrunch is quitting just because of that...

Here's a direct link to the post http://bit.ly/JZW2J

What's your opinion/position? Were you disappointed because you can't use Google Voice or any other apps that were blocked? Will you quit it as well?
Click to expand...

FCC Letter to Apple

July 31, 2009


Catherine A. Novelli, Vice President
Worldwide Government Affairs
Apple Inc.
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005

RE: Google Voice and related iPhone applications

Dear Ms. Novelli:

Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation.

To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009.

1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? In addition to Google Voice, which related third-party applications were removed or have been rejected? Please provide the specific name of each application and the contact information for the developer.
2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple’s decision in this matter?
3. Does AT&T have any role in the approval of iPhone applications generally (or in certain cases)? If so, under what circumstances, and what role does it play? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or any non-contractual understandings) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
4. Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network?
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?

Request for Confidential Treatment. If Apple requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
Federal Communications Commission


FCC Letter to AT&T

July 31, 2009

James W. Cicconi
Senior Executive Vice President-External and Legislative Affairs
AT&T Services, Inc.
1120 20th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036

RE: Apple’s Rejection of the Google Voice for iPhone Application

Dear Mr. Cicconi:

Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation.

To that end, please provide answers to the following questions by close of business on Friday, August 21, 2009.

1. What role, if any, did AT&T play in Apple’s consideration of the Google Voice and related applications? What role, if any, does AT&T play in consideration of iPhone applications generally? What roles are specified in the contractual provisions between Apple and AT&T (or in any non-contractual understanding between the companies) regarding the consideration of particular iPhone applications?
2. Did Apple consult with AT&T in the process of deciding to reject the Google Voice application? If so, please describe any communications between AT&T and Apple or Google on this topic, including the parties involved and a summary of any meetings or discussions.
3. Please explain AT&T’s understanding of any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol applications that are currently used on the AT&T network, either via the iPhone or via handsets other than the iPhone.
4. To AT&T’s knowledge, what other applications have been rejected for use on the iPhone? Which of these applications were designed to operate on AT&T’s 3G network? What was AT&T’s role in considering whether such applications would be approved or rejected?
5. Please detail any conditions included in AT&T’s agreements or contracts with Apple for the iPhone related to the certification of applications or any particular application’s ability to use AT&T’s 3G network.
6. Are there any terms in AT&T’s customer agreements that limit customer usage of certain third-party applications? If so, please indicate how consumers are informed of such limitations and whether such limitations are posted on the iTunes website as well. In general, what is AT&T’s role in certifying applications on devices that run over AT&T’s 3G network? What, if any, applications require AT&T’s approval to be added to a device? Are there any differences between AT&T’s treatment of the iPhone and other devices used on its 3G network?
7. Please list the services/applications that AT&T provides for the iPhone, and whether there any similar, competing iPhone applications offered by other providers in Apple’s App Store.
8. Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of the Google Voice application? Do any devices that operate on AT&T’s network allow use of other applications that have been rejected for the iPhone?
9. Please explain whether, on AT&T’s network, consumers’ access to and usage of Google Voice is disabled on the iPhone but permitted on other handsets, including Research in Motion’s BlackBerry devices.

Request for Confidential Treatment. If AT&T requests that any information or documents responsive to this letter be treated in a confidential manner, it shall submit, along with all responsive information and documents, a statement in accordance with section 0.459 of the Commission’s rules. 47 C.F.R. § 0.459. Requests for confidential treatment must comply with the requirements of section 0.459, including the standards of specificity mandated by section 0.459(b). Accordingly, “blanket” requests for confidentiality of a large set of documents are unacceptable. Pursuant to section 0.459(c), the Bureau will not consider requests that do not comply with the requirements of section 0.459.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.

Sincerely,

James D. Schlichting
Acting Chief
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Federal Communications Commission
 
aprofetto said:
Ah, whats a thread on MacRumors without a good old fashion Apple fanboy?

I love people like you. You're the type of person who defended MacBooks not having an SD card slot to your friends, and then the second Apple puts an SD card slot on the MacBooks, you go and defend Apple for putting it there.

You'd sit there and argue that a grid of icons is better than any other UI on the planet, why of course? Well its obvious, Apple says a grid of icons is the way to go, and you are so in love with Steve Jobs that you bow down and agree that a grid of icons is the only logical choice for a UI.

You are in every essence of the word an Apple fanboy, you shoot down peoples opinions and declare your view as fact.

In my opinion, the iPhone lacks alot of things that other phones have, true multitasking and built in voip for example. In my opinion, running apps in the background isn't multitasking at all, running in the background and the ability to switch between apps with an easy fluid motion is. Like profets said, making a call on Skype, and a call comes in, Skype is forced to shut down.

The iPhone is a great machine, but it has a great deal of things to improve on.
Click to expand...

Well said. You were being, lets say "judicious" when you said "In my opinion", however its not an opinion, its a fact. Whether iphone diehards admit it is irrelevant. A side by side of even phones that came out last year will show a feature difference gap not in favor of the iphone. That being said, there were certain things going in to my purchase I knew were not availbale, or there availability sketchy. However my deciding factor was Slingbox, thin form factor, (have a treo 700w) and large screen for view Slingbox. Hopefully other curious omissions like AVRCP will come down the pipe.
 
hehejames said:
Questions for all -

Will you quit the iPhone due to (Apple & AT&T)'s recent behavior? E.g. blocking Google Voice app and host of others? A tech blogger M. Arrington from TechCrunch is quitting just because of that...

Here's a direct link to the post http://bit.ly/JZW2J

What's your opinion/position? Were you disappointed because you can't use Google Voice or any other apps that were blocked? Will you quit it as well?
Click to expand...

I won't 'quit' the iPhone. It's not a hobby, or a habit; it's a phone. And in my opinion, the best one out there. I'm not gonna act like a spoilt brat and dump it for something else because I can't get the apps I want (not that I want any Google apps).
 
I think public power will mean that google apps, and others, will be allowed in the app store. Look especially at Microsoft and IE in Europe and the lengths that they are now going to to stop further penalties. If anything the future software world will be much freer

D
 
aprofetto said:
Ah, whats a thread on MacRumors without a good old fashion Apple fanboy?

I love people like you. You're the type of person who defended MacBooks not having an SD card slot to your friends, and then the second Apple puts an SD card slot on the MacBooks, you go and defend Apple for putting it there.

You'd sit there and argue that a grid of icons is better than any other UI on the planet, why of course? Well its obvious, Apple says a grid of icons is the way to go, and you are so in love with Steve Jobs that you bow down and agree that a grid of icons is the only logical choice for a UI.

You are in every essence of the word an Apple fanboy, you shoot down peoples opinions and declare your view as fact.

In my opinion, the iPhone lacks alot of things that other phones have, true multitasking and built in voip for example. In my opinion, running apps in the background isn't multitasking at all, running in the background and the ability to switch between apps with an easy fluid motion is. Like profets said, making a call on Skype, and a call comes in, Skype is forced to shut down.

The iPhone is a great machine, but it has a great deal of things to improve on.
Click to expand...

I agree with that 100%.

Far too many people seem to believe that the iPhone is the pinnacle of mobile technology, when in reality it is just another device from another manufacturer, that happens to severely lack in features, is expensive, and has silly exclusivity agreements. The only really good thing about it is that its browser is better than some of it's competitors.

Too many people try to compare other devices to the iPhone, and ask "is it the iPhone killer" or other such rubbish, or "it's hard to use" because they turned the phone on and couldn't manage to work out how to use it within 2 seconds - clearly reading the user guide or just playing with the device is totally beyond their intelligence.

I don't know what the cellphone market is like in the US, but in Europe we get all the flagship models from the "traditional" manufacturers, and they all put the iPhone to shame. The only people who disagree seem to be the few who think a large touchscreen and oversimplified UI is the only thing that makes a good phone. They are also the same people who wet themselves when the iPhone gets "revolutionary" things like tethering or copy and paste or third party (if Apple doesn't ban it) applications.
 
I'm tempted to cancel my contract(s). I had submitted an iPhone Messenger App (similar to Blackberry Messenger) meets Latitude. I made a requested change and its been a total approval time of 6 weeks! This after discovering that MMS is coming to the iPhone from Apple. I am afraid they are going to reject my application for duplicating existing features at this point.

I have three developer devices (1G, 3G, 3GS) and two more personal iPhones and have been extremely tempted to move to Android. I would just have a fire sale on eBay and go back to Verizon.

The primary reason this has been on my mind is the treatment of Google Voice developers; full refunds expected to customers. In other words, Apple could send me a bill for $9000 and give me 30 days to pay because THEY pulled my application?!
 
Mike Arrington is the tech blog community equivalent of, well, dog ****. If I were you, in the future I'd do a search on the author before randomly reposting his bile across Teh Intarwebz™... :p

Just sayin'.
 
What people are witnessing is growing pains. Apples level of secrecy may have been fine as a niche company, but now not so much. Developers are hurting because of this unfair practice of Apple approving something one minute only to "dislike" it another and not giving the developer reason if at all. The App store is NOTHING without its community and what many of you fail to acknowledge is that these developers are not bound by contract to develop for the App store and are more than willing to jump the fence (Android and etc) if Apple doesn't create some open form of consistency to what is allowed and isn't. I think this whole mess is something Apple needs to address not with a band-aid solution, but truly lay down the groundwork for something solid that all can be happy with.

Sure you may have purchased the iPhone for what it is, but for the many - what made the iPhone attractive is the App store and what it brings and what it promises. I for one love Google Voice and dissapointed with how Apple is acting towards Google. In fact many of the practices that Apple is condoning are the same that many frowned upon with Microsoft.

I am canceling one line with T-Mobile so I can purchase a line with AT&T for an iPhone 3GS. I will say though that this incident along with other mishaps along the way have placed my doubts on the purchase. However, this is too big of an incident that Apple can't ignore and most importantly can't ignore the voice of the developer community any further to not do anything. I have faith in Apple to do the right thing for its community and the developers that is the lifeline of the iPhone.
 
No, I use the iPhone way, way, way too much (Apps, Maps, iPod, etc...) to quit but the AT&T reception issues have been embarrassing to say the least

If it gets to the point where I can't make a single phone call? Maybe but it hasn't gotten to that point yet
 
i wont get rid of it i am still using the very first iphone on tmobile and havent had any trouble with it some of the apps that get rejected is a little annoying but usually if its one I want i can find the same thing in cydia but this is the first phone i have had for this long that still pretty runs just as good as it did brand new.
 
While i do think arrington is being a drama queen, Apple's we-know-what-you-want-better-than-you-do philosophy and their frankly draconian app store regulatory methods, is indeed getting long in the tooth
 
nope not bothered by AT&T's actions and methods mainly cos im in the U.K. I am happy with apple, they make good devices/machines which by and large end up being worth the money in the long run. I have an iphone-its a phone, its an ipod, its a web browser, a rough camera usable in most day to day situations, a map, and a calendar. All the other mismash of stuff is not essential for it to work.

I like being able to race down a slide, or fall off motorbikes, or shoot some aliens in Terminator. BUT! its not essential for the phone to work and be good at what it is-A useful tool that i can use to do everything (on a train, or watching tv and cant be bothered to get my MBP)

So for me, nope i imagine im going to keep buying iphones, and other apple products for some years to come

PTP
 
Boo-hoo.

Peter Rojas was bitching on Twitter about this and how the consumer will dictate what happens...

Most consumers don't care. Developers should also be pissed at Google for restricting access to Google Voice as much as they have so there aren't as many displaced users as there could be.
 
za9ra22 said:
I'm puzzled how not having something that was never there makes an iPhone less than it was to begin with.

Also puzzled why anyone else's opinion ought to matter in the slightest. Insecurity I guess.
Click to expand...

You're actually puzzled?

I'll be interested to see what conclusions the FCC draws. Thanks for posting up those letters!
 
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