Apple's response to FCC seems somewhat strange
Apple today posted an interesting response to the FCC inquiry into their denial of the Google Voice application. In a nutshell, it isn't AT&T that influenced Apple to deny Google Voice, though they do have a "no VoIP on AT&T's network agreement" in place and have since the beginning.
The reason Apple gave for denying the app (or keep it in purgatory as they say) is that:
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. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature.
Strangely, applications like Skype also do many of these things and frankly more. In fact, Skype's dialer can easily be confused with the iPhone's built-in version. It has its own voicemail and SMS as well. Also, GV Mobile, a Google Voice application, was embraced by Apple's VP of Marketing, Phil Schiller and pushed through the Apple Store before it was unceremoniously kicked off months later. Kicking an application out of the App Store doesn't sound like they are still considering opening up the store to the technology.
More strangeness:
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.
This would seem somewhat hypocritical because Apple's Addressbook application lets (and even encourages) users to sync their contacts with Google and Yahoo accounts. In fact, those very contacts are likely already on users Google accounts through the iPhone's syncing with Addressbook.app and that syncing with Google.
What is Apple getting at here with this reasoning? Why all of the inconsistancies?
Something has fundamentally changed at Apple. Something rather big to go through all of this trouble.
I have a feeling this goes deeper than it seems and it may involve a future VoIP/Grand Central type product from Apple.
The response by Apple also sheds some light on the review process in general. Specifically:
There are more than 40 full-time trained reviewers, and at least two different reviewers study each application so that the review process is applied uniformly. Apple also established an App Store executive review board that determines procedures and sets policy for the review process, as well as reviews applications that are escalated to the board because they raise new or complex issues. The review board meets weekly and is comprised of senior management with responsibilities for the App Store. 95% of applications are approved within 14 days of being submitted. 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.
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Comments (34)
I have had a problem from the get go (with the lack) of Apples ability to allow for managing the iPhone. Whether Googles App or Apples, just where is your data and how is it managed?
Don't take for granted that everything is safe since Apple doesn't say anything. Apple is notorious for not saying anything even when there is an issue. In this manner Apple is not very responsible to consumers. Just Apples corporate interest...
"I have a feeling this goes deeper than it seems and it may involve a future VoIP/Grand Central type product from Apple."
Me thinks you're onto something.
"The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail "
don't you think that the end-user should make that choice and pick GV or Apple's. rather than Apple making that choice for their users.
I have an iphone and I love it; but I think there's something wrong in the Apple management way of thinking they can make better choices for their users, and users should blindly trust Apple's choices.
I have a jailbroken iphone and I love using google voice on it.
You say "Apple today posted an interesting response to the FCC inquiry into their denial of the Google Voice application. In a nutshell, it isn't AT&T that influenced Apple to deny Google Voice,"
But Apple seems to claim that they have NOT denied Google's app but is still studying it. Apple also lists out other apps which they originally did not approve but later did when the apps were modified.
Quote from Apple's filing:
"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"
What a sad response by both companies.
I hope the FCC nails both AT&T and Apple to the wall!
For what, precisely? Or had you gotten that far. For being concerned that Google's app hijacked the iPhone UI? Actually, I think that's a pretty reasonable objection. I think Apple might be criticized legitimately for not communicating enough about the whys and wherefores of an app's rejection. But acting like their committing some kind of high crimes is REALLY childish.
claiming GV "hijacked the iPhone UI" is REALLY childish.
Let's agree, nobody has to buy an iPhone.
What's wrong with exclusivity agreements such as the one between Apple and AT&T where one company can decide with whom they want to do business? Are there not 4 major carriers and dozens of smartphones out there?
Why does Apple have to let me 'manage' the iPhone as I see fit? What do I, or anyone, know about phone OSes and UIs. Why shouldn't Apple prevent GV apps from duplicating functionality that Apple sees as core to their phone and their software experience, particularly if you can still get much of the GV apps via a browser app? If the end user wants the Google experience, are there not Android phones they can buy? Since everyone on these boards blathers on and on about how lousy AT&T is, you would think everyone would be rushing out for a another smartphone from another carrier.
Personally, I think the iPhone is a godsend after 20 years of horrible mobile phones. I have a decent phone with a great OS, a pretty damn good set of core apps and 65,000+ 3rd-party apps, plus a built-in iPod. AT&T is not the greatest carrier, but everyone complains about the business practices at Verizon as well.
The FCC should let the new smartphone landscape shake out a bit more before it starts playing referee. And it has no business managing the App Store approval process AT ALL.
Why should Apple let me manage my iPhone as I see fit?
Maybe because it is MY iPhone that I payed for with MY money.
You Apple apologists make me sick. You are the sort of person that gives us normal Apple users a bad name.
if apple allowed google voip then they would likely loose subsidy from att and they would have to charge more for the phone which they dont want to do and you probably dont want that either. its common sense. now go take some ibuprofen and start your own tech company.
Buy an android phone and do whatever you like, no one ask you to use an iPhone.
BTW shouldn't a proprietor protects his business interest, maybe you will allow others to tell you how to run yours.lol
The problem is not just GV, it is the whole apple attitude treating users as idiots. I should be able to install any application I want, If I didn't like the result I can remove it. They can approved/unapproved tags as they wanted.
It looks like someone selling you a toaster with a restriction to toast only specific brands of toast.
I'm a big fan of all apple products for a very long time but I've started to rethink stuff again recently with apple attitude, I think they are heading to be a second Microsoft, really sad.
This amounts to: applications in our app store may be smart, but our end-users are DUMB. DUMB AS POSTS. They will launch an app with what appears to be a keypad, and type in a phone number, and even though it results in a phone call being initiated, the person will have been confused because it's not the iPhone's native dialer app. And those joke apps that draw lines at crazy angles, making it appear that the screen is broken...people will be trying to get warrantee repairs left right and center.
Our users are STUPID. DUMB. IDIOTS. That's why we are saving them from the complexity of these applications.
Sad but true. It really is true.
I work at an Apple store, and just the other day some lady was b*tching me out about how her iPhone was broken. When I asked her whats wrong, she said her keyboard was broken. I was like....wtf? She complained because the keyboard no longer "clicked." I grabbed her phone and looked at the silent switch, and what do ya know, it was set to silent. So I told her the phone was on silent and that the keyboard as well as all other system sounds will be silent when its on silent. She grabbed her phone from me and grumbled something and walked away without even thanking me or anything.
The end user really is a complete moron. An absolutely retarded and rude person. This is just one example. I could go on forever about how stupid most the people are who need help at work.
Sad but true. It really is true.
I work at an Apple store, and just the other day some lady was b*tching me out about how her iPhone was broken. When I asked her whats wrong, she said her keyboard was broken. I was like....wtf? She complained because the keyboard no longer "clicked." I grabbed her phone and looked at the silent switch, and what do ya know, it was set to silent. So I told her the phone was on silent and that the keyboard as well as all other system sounds will be silent when its on silent. She grabbed her phone from me and grumbled something and walked away without even thanking me or anything.
The end user really is a complete moron. An absolutely retarded and rude person. This is just one example. I could go on forever about how stupid most the people are who need help at work.
Apple is right and the point made is not strange at all. Whether or not anybody agrees, they have spent alot of time/money developing the interface and they don't want half a billion of their iPhones to have that interface replaced with another companies technology.
Winge and complain all you like, they are right.
You should not be alllowed to upgrade the stereo? or tint the windows? or change the rims, or buy better tires?
Apple loses nothing by having google voice on the iPhone. NOTHING. They can only gain from it. They will gain customers, they will gain functionality. There is absolutely nothing to lose.
Still only ATT in usa offers this core application. NOwhere else in the world its available. google apps could hurt Apple only in usa. Pls APPLE work on it first in Europe, then complain about others doing IT for you!
Are you on crack? I have an iPhone on o2 and it has visual voicemail so what the hell are you rambling on about?
Setting the record straight: Telefonica offers visual voicemail in Spain as well. What's yer country/carrier pal?
T-Mobile. Is there a t-country offering visual voicemail ?
In Hungary it doesnt. Why?
Wow like 12 people actually care about this stupid Google crap.
Go buy an Android phone if you don't like it. It's Apple's phone, product, design etc.. Not yours!
You the consumer have many choices. RIMM, HTC, PRE, LG just to name a few. Go take a look at them and maybe they will serve you better.
If you're so hot on Google then a Android phone is perfect for you. Please go and buy one. I'm sure you will find something to whine about that phone too.
You may be right about 'customization' but this is not the 'Apple way', it's not in Apples DNA... their whole point is about 'user experience' and reducing complexity... it simply doesn't fit with their business model. They won't even let you change the background on the iPhone.
Techies love to fiddle but apple isn't aimed at you per se, and you can always jailbreak you phone.. I completely agree with their decision. Apple wants the iPhone experience to be always brilliant, that's how it builds its reputation, and sells more products... it's the market leader for this... if it lets a huge company like google control the experience then it loses this power and it will hurt its profit line... simple really.
Doubt it has anything particularly to do with VOIP at this state. Remember Apple originally didn't even want '3rd party apps' (can you believe it?).
As others have said, it seems to me this is pretty cut and dry; you as a consumer don't have to buy an iPhone. If you disagree with the design choices that Apple has made on the product, you're free to go with an iPhone competitor. Apple's claim to fame is their user experience, and if you as a user don't like it, spend your money elsewhere.
Looks like this whole AppStore thing is about to explode in Apple's hands. They seem to be reacting as of lately but... it's too late now! It comes to mind the rejection of the Nine Inch Nails app for the dumbest of reasons (foul language in a record they are selling on iTunes?!?). This whole Google Voice service I don't give a damn about but if they don't want Google to take over the iPhone... develop more innovative stuff guyz because let's be honest: Visual Voicemail is cool but it just can't stand as innovative anymore and is not as game changing as other features of iPhone. Want to change the world once more? Consider MobileMe until now a test release or a beta service and start giving it away for nada, cero, null. And all those patents for music sharing/listening over a call: implement 'em now. You better hurry because Google is already at it.
I agree and totally support Apple's right to control the UI on the iPhone but the GV application does in no any way change the core functionality and UI of the iPhone. Nothing is disabled, nothing is replaced, nothing is tampered with no more than any other application does.
It's the users choice when the icon for GV goes. If they want to place it in a prime location at the bottom, like you can with any app, that's their right.
GV does not in any way change Visual Voice Mail. If some one calls your iPhone number and you don't answer it still goes to VVM. If some one calls you GV number and you don't answer it goes to Google Voice Mail. How does that in any way change the iPhone? Answer IT DOSEN'T. Is it any different than someone calling your Skype number and when you don't answer the call going to Skype Voice Mail? Answer, IT'S NOT.
Phone dialer, there are many other phone dialers so the one in GV is no different other than the fact it can call you back when making LD calls. So the heck what, your still using minutes. So what if your bypassing LD charges for international calls, you can do that in other ways just by placing a call through a special number.
Accessing the address book. As has already been said this is allowed so what is Apple whining about.
SMS, well here Apple might be able to try and make a case although they would be on very thin ice. If they try to then they will have to reject other apps such as AIM which can also do SMS.
What would I like to see Google do?
For now remove the part of the app that calls you back when making International calls so that when dialing from the app you always have to go through the carrier. You could still do do the call back for International calls using the WEB app but it removes an excuse for Apple to reject the app. Accessing the Google Voice Mail would not be be a good enough reason to reject the app no more than having an app that accesses any other VM would.
I would rather see GV SMS in it's own app just as messages is for Apple so take the SMS part out and put it into a GoogleTalk application and allow any other IM app to do the same. This would make it really hard for Apple to block the app as they would have to block all the other IM apps which would really cause the FCC to take action. The other advantage to this is that I don't see my IM and VM message counts being summed into the same badge during push notifications.
Side note:
Now for those that take about Apple fanboys, I'm an Apple users back to the Apple II days plus I own Apple Stock but I don't support everything Apple does just because it's Apple.
No one ask you to use an iPhone, use an android phone if you want to use goog voice.
Looks like this whole AppStore thing is about to explode in Apple's hands. They seem to be reacting as of lately but... it's too late now! It comes to mind the rejection of the Nine Inch Nails app for the dumbest of reasons (foul language in a record they are selling on iTunes?!?). This whole Google Voice service I don't give a damn about but if they don't want Google to take over the iPhone... develop more innovative stuff guyz because let's be honest: Visual Voicemail is cool but it just can't stand as innovative anymore and is not as game changing as other features of iPhone. Want to change the world once more? Consider MobileMe until now a test release or a beta service and start giving it away for nada, cero, null (best way to make iPhone the best phone in the world, wiping competency away, hope the data-center is related somehow to this) ...and all those patents for music sharing/listening over a call: implement 'em now. You better hurry because Google is already at it.
double post, sorry
I just want AT&T to go away. Saw the new BlackBerry Ad today where the guy is making fun of the other guy because they have the same phone just different networks. I cannot WAIT to get an iPhone on a Different Network