RSSApple 'has not rejected Google Voice application,' says it rejects 20% of submitted apps
By Tim Conneally | Published August 21, 2009, 5:45 PM
Like clockwork, the FCC has released the statements from AT&T, Apple, and Google which respond to the Commission's inquiries into why the Google Voice app was rejected from the iTunes App store.
Since AT&T denied any involvement early on, we have been eagerly awaiting Apple's take on the situation. Cupertino replied with a six-page letter.
"Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice
application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone...In addition, the iPhone user's entire Contacts database is transferred to Google's servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time."
Apple also confirms AT&T's statements which absolve it from blame in the rejection of the app, "Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or noncontractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple's decision-making process in this matter."
However, it does confirm that the operator does not want VoIP on the iPhone: "There is a provision in Apple's agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T's cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T's permission...Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application. Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T's 3G network."
After providing some examples of apps that have been rejected from the iTunes App store on the basis of bugginess, inappropriate content, and violation of AT&T customer Terms of Service, Apple said: "Apple generally spends most of the review period making sure that the applications function properly, and working with developers to fix quality issues and software bugs in applications. We receive about 8,500 new applications and updates every week, and roughly 20% of them are not approved as originally submitted. In little more than a year, we have reviewed more than 200,000 applications and updates."
This is insane. GV does not replace core iPhone functionality - it gives an *alternative* to that functionality. I JB my iPhone and have GV Mobile installed through Cydia. While it has it's quirks (might just be my settings...not sure yet), it is a great alternative - especially since I don't have a texting plan.
@Apple - this is no way to encourage a community to stay with Apple - you are just giving us more reasons to look at an Android set.
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|GV does not use VOIP you dumb ass'es it uses data to talk to the call center the call center calls your cell or what ever phone you told it to call and then the call center places the other side of the call and merges them together its the same thing as call forrward but forwarded twice when you think about it
the app just uses a data stream to gv servers to set up the call
there is no VOIP to the cell phone or any other phone for that matter
maybe on the back hull but not over att wireless network
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|i think apple is lying out of its rear end. their claim that at&t does not want voip applications on their network so therefore it has in effect rejected it has no grounds in any legal sense for three reasons:
1. there are already multiple voip apps in the app store, none of which were pulled or rejected until now.
2. at&t does not hold that monopoly-like right of use in other countries, and with older generation iphones, 3gs (this is not the new iphone released, this is plural of 3g to be clear) sold without a contract and unlocked, and 3gs sold on the internet and unlocked, people can use whatever phone company they wish that uses sim card technology to connect to the network. at&t knows this. you think that they would force apple to not release an app that another company wouldn't object using its network for (unlikely on that last part, but this is a supposition)? it would be like ford telling goodyear not to make eagle tires because they could be used on a dodge.
3. at&t already allows for using the google voice app on its other handsets. why block one when its freely allowed on others?
apple's claim that 20% of all its apps gets rejected is clearly a cya lawyer statement. how many pathetic fart apps and worthless apps that do nothing but waste battery power are there in the app store?
although i rag microsoft for being "a monopoly", i'm going to enjoy seeing the real monopoly get a huge piece of it bitten off by the feds and try to see the apple fanbois and fangurls try to spin it when it happens. apple, keep digging that hole deeper and deeper...
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|You should actually try and read Apple's response. They didn't blame AT&T for the decision. They were very concerned with Google Voice breaking the visual voice mail functionality by only storing voice mail in Google's servers. They were very concerned with Google changing the core look and feel and functionality of the iPhone. They were concerned about Google uploading users' address books and contact info without any assurance as to what Google intends to do with that information.
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|ourama:
Perhaps you missed the part of the article dealing with Apple's agreement with ATT? The excuses Apple is making are irrelevant. The application breaks Apple's agreement with ATT; End of Story.
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|sorry but thats just stupid for any company to say that they are involved in privacy acts to unleash the information that ppl submit for other use then what it is intended here yes i know if you unlock the iphone the google app can be useful in so many ways but i doubt you can cause WWIII cause there is reports that the unlocking of the iphone and these apps can take over cell phone towers?
idk but its stupid and
if this were true the feds would not be bothering apple the heat would go str8 to google on what there intentions are but the case here is that apple knows what its doing rejecting all apps that have to do with a large profit gain there was a dude who sold nothing but 99cent apps made millions cause all he did was make cheap apps and sold it for 99cents apple after this mishap they deiced to ban and remove the apps he made why is my question i mean yes he made cheep and useless apps but yall got to think about that one
apple and att will be under str8 problem and i think this will further open the door for other companies to handle the iphone or make it so that the unlocking of the iphone is never penalized
cause i see no problem with the google voice just that apple is mad that they came up with a better app then what there whole os cant do so yea i know apple and steve jobs will have to suck mad balls to gain back what they lost so far but i doubt thats going to happen any time soon cause this is going to open a huge hole that no one in apple or att can get out of
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|PC_Tool, how does GV break Apple's agreement with ATT? GV isn't VoIP. It sounds like no one (Including Apple) has any clue how GV works.
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|In response to the VOIP applications, as far as I understand it, Apple is allowing them as long as they are only over WIFI and not over AT&T's 3G/Edge network. However, I have used the text portion of Skype over 3G. I haven't tried the voice part, so maybe it does block it.
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|Skype doesn't do voice over 3G, only chat.
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|I agree. If Google's program contains VoIP then the contractual agreement between Apple and AT&T would prohibit Google's app. Now one can question the agreement but that would not, at this point, justify Apple using Google's voice program.
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|GV isn't VoIP. It is simply a single phone number that you can configure sequentially forward to a list of numbers until one of them is answered. You can also forward it to several numbers at the same time. The first to answer gets the call. So ATT isn't missing out on any business. The calls still use voice minutes. GV will also do outgoing calls by telling GV what number you would like to call, then GV dials your cellphone, you answer the phone and get a message saying it is now going to dial the other party. GV also has a voice mail system that has a web interface similar to GMail. Apple can block the GV app all they want but you can still use it via the web interface. The App simply gives you an easy to use interface for selecting the numbers you want GV to ring and an address book for outgoing (not really outgoing) calls and a GUI for checking you VM. None of this replaces Apples VM, phone or address book. Apple knows all this. I love how Apple claims they are unsure if the App does VoIP. Give me a break. Everyone knows it is VoIP. Even if they didn't know they could run a packet sniffer and watch what is going in and out. I would hope Apple sniffs all network traffic when reviewing apps. This is all BS. Apple gets shadier and shadier every day.
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|Correction:
"Everyone knows it is VoIP."
Should be:
"Everyone knows it isn't VoIP."
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|Have you used an iPhone? Apps can't replace core functionality. You hit the home button and the app closes and you go back to the home screen. Also GV doesn't upload anything, it merely access the local address book.. no contacts are synced with Google's servers.
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|seems rejected to me, for the time being
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|They didn't reject, they just refused to review! Basically the same thing to me.
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|Huh? Where in Apple's letter does it say that?
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|AT&T says it doesn't instructed the denial of VoIP applications and Apple says it has it specified in its agreement with AT&T. Well, someone is not telling the truth. :P
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|but don't forget that apple has approved other VoIP applications but they go through WiFi NOT through AT&Ts 3G network. There's a difference
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|there really shouldn't be though, not today
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