Google's Rubin: Android isn't blocking VoIP, despite claims

By Tim Conneally | Published August 21, 2009, 2:02 PM

This morning a USA Today article discussed the FCC's investigation into why the Google Voice App was banned from the iPhone. The article goes on to say that Google could "soon find itself in the hot seat" because Android cannot use Skype, proposing that Google itself blocks VoIP to force users into traditional voice calls.

Andy Rubin, Google's Vice President of Mobile Platforms, had to step forward and call USA Today out.

Rubin said, "Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services."

Rubin says it's up to the operators to decide if certain applications violate their terms of service.

"As we told USA Today earlier in the week, Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services," Rubin continued. "To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer -- including Skype -- has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we're excited to see -- and use -- these applications when they're submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network."

In short, Android app availability is up to the carrier, but on iPhone, nobody has stood up to take responsibility yet. In the investigation into the rejection of the Google Voice App on the iPhone, an application which lets users manage all of their phones (home, office, mobile, etc) from a single number, AT&T denied having a role in the decision.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

Did they not build the ability for an app to access the mic, speaker and data connection into the initial versions of Android? If so, you could certainly make an argument that they intentionally prevented VOIP. Or, you could just assume they rushed it to market to quickly to get all the hardware-OS links worked out.

Score: 0

|

This seems more like a request for someone to do it. :P

Score: 0

|

Google Buzz: Another attempt to harness the content firehose

Similar to how Google successfully remolded RSS into a Google tool, the company now wants to remold Gmail into one big Google party

Success: Google's Nexus One shipping support line takes tech support questions

UPDATED Though the support line had been set up for shipping, it now appears Google personnel are happy to hear technical concerns.

Goodnight, moon: What I learned from a space shuttle

Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: Can the tech sector learn a few lessons from the space program? Certainly, if you believe in learning from someone else's mistakes.

Netflix to FCC: NBCU + Comcast could bypass net neutrality

Weaning itself from the post office as its main means of video transfer, Netflix would like someone to ensure the Internet remains just as unencumbered.

Rhapsody to become an independent company

RealNetworks and Viacom subsidiary MTV Networks have begun the process of spinning off music service Rhapsody into an independent company.

Nvidia debuts new dynamically-switched graphics card technology

Today, Nvidia announced that its Optimus technology for GPU switching will soon be available in a handful of Asus notebooks.

Google lowers 'unusually high' early termination fee on Nexus One

Google has lowered the Nexus One's early termination fees which were twice as high as the norm.

Netgear and Ericsson introduce a mobile broadband hotspot with a twist

It's a mobile broadband hotspot, but it's for use in the home.

Report: Streaming video drove 72% global increase in mobile data consumption

A new study says streaming video is "the single most influential factor driving the need for increased mobile network capacity."

Stymied by continuing Nexus One 3G issues, Google blames the environment

If you're still afflicted with the 3G flip-flop trouble, then you might consider moving. That appears to be the only suggestion Google can give for now.

Wolfram|Alpha makes a strong argument for virtual keyboards

"Answer engine" Wolfram|Alpha has updated its iPhone/iPod Touch app, harnessing the strength of the virtual keyboard.