Google Voice is a pretty amazing service, but it comes with a number of minor annoyances, including the way it handles outgoing calls and SMS messages. Fortunately, Google has recently come out with a number of smartphone apps for BlackBerry and Android that obviate the need for any extra steps, making Google Voice a natural replacement for your phone’s native dialer. The iPhone still lacks an official client, but that hasn’t stopped a handful of third party developers from releasing their own apps, which have been available on the App Store for the last few months. Today, however, it sounds like Apple has made the decision to crack down on these: Sean Kovacs, the developer behind the popular app GV Mobile, has written on his blog that Apple is going to be removing his application, citing the fact that it “duplicates features that come with the iPhone”.
From Kovac’s blog:
Richard Chipman from Apple just called – he told me they’re removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc). He didn’t actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general. He wouldn’t send a confirmation email either – too scared I would post it. I’ll see what I can do to get it back up there gang…
Once again, Apple’s App Store policies have crossed the line from irritating to totally ridiculous. GV Mobile taps into a service that is entirely different from the iPhone’s native dialer, making Google Voice far easier to use than it normally is. It’s also laughable that Apple would refuse to specify exactly which features the app was duplicating.
Even more worrying are the implications this would have if it becomes Apple’s policy to ban Google Voice apps from the App Store, which would strike a major blow to the service. There is at least one other Google Voice app already available on the App Store, called VoiceCentral, and we’ve previously confirmed that Google has an official app in the works. Update: VoiceCentral has been removed from the App Store as well. This looks like a store-wide policy change.
It’s entirely possible that Apple’s decision to ban the app is being driven not by user confusion, but by AT&T’s request. Google Voice is very powerful, and is only becoming increasingly so as it releases new apps and features that make it easier to use. It also hits the carriers where it hurts, making it easy for users to swap numbers on a whim, get cheap calls, save on SMS, and much more.
And while it would be surprising if Apple blocked Google’s app from the App Store, it wouldn’t be the first time Google was forced to bow to Apple’s wishes — just last week Google had to scrap a native app built for its Latitude service in favor of a web app at Apple’s request. Yet another possibility is that Google’s official application is imminent, and the GV Mobile app was pulled to reduce confusion once that’s out (though this seems less likely).
Update: Apple has removed VoiceCentral from the App Store as well. While both GV Mobile and VoiceCentral still have their profiles available in the store, attempts to buy them results in an error message that they are no longer available.
I like(d) this app.
Allright Google,…let’s make one for Windows Mobile then….
(and release it to Canada!!)
and judging by the reviews, a lot of people liked this app.
I’m beginning to think that iPhone developers may have a new business opportunity coming their way – sue the App Store.
how can “duplication of functionality” be a reason to deny an application? esp. when it is not 100% accurate.
If they could find a reason, that could be a HUGE class action lawsuit.
Or, someone (perhaps Apple) should sue AT&T for ruining Apple’s reputation. A lot of people probably think Apple is solely responsible for all this App Store nonsense and decide not to buy anything from Apple.
okay…I’m an Apple fanboi…but this seriously sucks!!! there’s going to be trouble
Why would it be surprising if Apple banned Google’s GV app as well? It seems clear they don’t want that functionality on the iPhone, and have no qualms keeping Google apps out of the store without citing cause publicly.
To me this all seems like an unacceptable regulation of the market.
Are we all children? What complete nonsense! AT&T and Apple execs are a bunch of pathetic sissies.
I guess some folks will have to play Apple’s deliriously stupid “web app vs. native app” game until journalists have had time to finish their investigation into who at that freaky company is responsible for this pathetic blunder.
Until the weirdo is exposed, future Blue Mobile Native App icons will be duly replaced with… GASP! Nearly identical-in-functionality GV Mobile Web app shortcuts. Wow, what an accomplishment, Apple.
I agree totally, my younger brother busted his assets on this app, worked many hours to put this out, and now these communist bastards are pulling it for what?
It pisses me off to think that in every which way possible, big companies like Apple seem to not care about the little guys out there, and only about the all mighty dollar.
When will big companies realize if it was not for these guys out there like my brother Sean, Apple wouldn’t have sold so many Iphones, and In general would not be as popular, because its supposed to be “open source”, and “everyone could make an application”, pfft my ass….
Exactly. Without innovative Apps like your brother’s, the iPhone is simply nothing. A novelty. A short-lived infatuation. An aging touchscreen cell phone with a petty little pink iTunes store nobody even uses. That is exactly it. iPhone is NOTHING without Apps! Just look at their commercials now — apps! apps! and more apps!
As even more evidence of how valid your point is, I actually lost my first iPhone, which I bought on June 31, ‘07, in swimming pool fiasco. And you know what? I decided I wasn’t going to replace it with another! I had satisfied my infatuation and was ready to move on… that is until Apple revealed the Apps would finally be allowed.
What a major mistake Apple execs are making; even from their own perspective, how can this possibly look fruitful? Killing off the best and brightest apps developers? What do they think these innovative programmers will do, just languish? No, of course not — they will go to Apple’s future competitor!
Well, Apple is betting big on there never being one. I hope somebody, Google perhaps, proves them wrong soon.
Isn’t Apple just handing it to Google by forcing the app model towards web rather than native? Web-App would just work on any device!
So I guess Skype for iPhone will be removed as well? This is why Apple needs someone to challenge the iPhone with a solid device. They do whatever they like and get away with it. If MSFT did the same thing they would be sued by every country in the world. This is also why folks look in to jail breaking their iPhones.
Skype for iphone is not even real VOIP. It does like Google Voice, to call you on your phone and connect you with your contact.
We need REAL VOIP apps on Android devices. Some that use ONLY the data plan.
what? Skype’s app is a real VOIP app.
I think you are confused.
Skype should be removed for duplicating the dialer, SMS, and others too. I would fight this as much as possible if Skype stays in the App Store.
I think it is you who is confused. Skype for iPhone calls you over your cellular when someone initiates a Skype call with you. It’s not VOIP.
Nope–incorrect. Skype for iPhone IS VOIP. While in Europe, with my cell antenna disabled, I was able to use the Skype app to call back to the US whenever I had a Wi-Fi connection, no problems.
Completely VOIP.
Now–you can’t do the same over the cellular data connection, it has to be Wi-Fi. But the inability to use VOIP applications on the cellular data plan is part of the contract agreed to when signing up for AT&T service. It sucks, but it shouldn’t catch anyone by surprise.
Lulz all thanks to AT&TooBad. Thank Goodness I toll with an Android. Oh snap, I just forgot to put the SIM card in –oh, wait, I’m getting an incoming call via Google Voice! That is why it got yanked from the AppStore.
Ummm … whattttttt??????
Use GV + Gizmo5 + SipDroid = Pure VOip Over Wi-fi on Android… can also use Edge/3G with the carrier (not using minutes). Its sweet! Great for when I’m traveling Int’l—no more $1.49 per minute.
I expect to see more pissing matches like this in the future. Google coming out w/ a netbook, Apple releasing a tablet. There’s so much crossover between these two companies. The gloves will eventually come off.
Google’s not coming out with a netbook but rather a netbook OS. Google likes to keep its operations online and hasn’t ventured into hardware yet (for the most part). Apple, on the other hand, makes most of its revenue from hardware. it’d be surprising to see a pissing match started…
already removed from App store. I downloaded the free GV mobile last week, but now cannot install the pro version.
Not to forget that Google alledgedly bent over and blocked Multitoch on the T-Mobile G1 – although it was always in Android’s source code, only outcommented. Sources say that Apple asked Google to do so. Nevertheless a hacker soon got an iPhone-like Multitouch running on his T-Mobile G1 and later Android handets, like HTC Hero, simply have it.
What a shame – it was a great app.
Wow, I got a great solution. Abadon on device apps and go web. Apple will love for Google to take Voice to the web, just like Latitude…
Google Voice does have a web interface, but it’s not nearly as rich as the GV Mobile App, particularly with regards to contact integration and voicemail playback.
Too bad this app was one of my primary drivers for making the switch to Google Voice.
Wow, I just bought the app yesterday. Does it still work if already downloaded?
Yes, it will continue to work.
Yeah. Apple won’t be pulling an “Amazon.” The app will remain on your phone.
hmm..one question…I have the app in my itunes (’show in windows explorer’ shows the “real” file). Could this just be sent around and let people still install it, or is it tied to my phone?
Anyone knows what happens to already purchased apps? I did buy GV mobile and it still works.
Apple has the power to remotely delete apps from an iPhone but, hopefully they won’t and we will be able to continue using these apps.
They don’t do that. They have NEVER used that feature. It’s just for security reasons.
Google should sue apple for 500$ million for antitrust, but they won’t because all Google employees use Mac.
All Google employees use Gubuntu.
Ok, I didn’t know that. Anyway I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple goes down the road of MS and start getting sued by every other entity in Europe, Microsoft, Google. They should get decent money out of Apple and make them learn a lesson. I think MS already learnt that lesson.
…and maybe because 500million really is chump change to them.
Anti-trust doesn’t work like that. First, companies don’t sue over anti-trust, governments do. Last I checked, it was not Google.gov. Second, this isn’t anti-trust, anyway. A trust is when competing companies band together to inflate prices.
Buy Androids instead! Android phones are just the same as iphone, just much cheaper and without Apple’s stupid VOIP, Multimedia and Web Browser restrictions.
Let’s all destroy the iphone and all Governments should make such software/hardware collusion of itunes/ipods/iphones illegal.
I love my Android, have been blogging extensively about Apple’s boneheadedness, and am VERY pro-Android, but I want to clear something up:
There is a VOIP restriction with Android. Mostly due to pressure from T-Mobile. There are no VOIP apps in the Android Market that aren’t limited to WiFi.
Android Market is not the only source of applications and you do not have to jailbreak your Android to install an application which has not been blessed by T-Mobile.
this makes no sense??? The android market has the official app and others…. what is wrong with competing?
OH…. BAD move, Apple.
You have NO IDEA what you’re getting yourself into.
Let the shit storm begin.
I really hope this doesn’t bode ill for Google’s own attempts to put a Google Voice app on the iPhone.
According to Sean Kovacs (the creator of GV Mobile), Google won’t be launching a Google Voice native app on the iPhone either.
http://twitter....atus/2878645623
Kinda ridiculous if you ask me. Google will win this battle for sure, not AT&T, not Apple.
I am not happy about this. I would like to know as well if you already have it does that mean you can’t use it? I suppose I can understand AT&T’s concern but not apple. Everything we do has to go through apple unless you have a jailbroken phone so why make a big deal about apps that may or may not provide competition.
What’s interesting enough is that although people may use GV Mobile to replace using AT&T service, you still have to purchase a rate plan from AT&T so I am not sure how they are losing out.
That’s what you get when you stick with Apple, fanboys! Next year will be the year of Android. And I hope that in Europe Apple gets hit just like Microsoft for monopoly and unfair business practices.
Except they aren’t exactly a monopoly now are they?
Any post starting with “fanboys” has got to be accurate.
…a monopoly in the touch screen phones…
In my opinion, this is why we need the FCC to make a Carterphone-like decision for wireless services in the US.
Imagine if Microsoft had banned Firefox for “duplicating the functions of Windows!”
Bring on the anti-trust lawsuit, and let Apple feel the pain!
Excellent analogy. Where are all the crazy apple fanboys on this one?
Hmmm, only the fifth “fanboy” in the thread.
Interesting post there Captain Molecule member.
1. It’s totally AT&T.
2. I still blame apple for it. Apple should just stick it to the telco
As long as Apple is taking a cut of the contract money they ARE the telco.
I don’t believe it’s still the case after Apple change its strategy from revenue sharing to plain subsidy.
Now AT&T just pay Apple out right at about $600 per unit. That’s why just a couple of days ago AT&T reported a huge subsidy cost for the past quarter.
But your point is well taken.
It’s Apple which chose to partner up with Telcos. Every business decision is with its own perks and cons. Unfortunately Apple costumers have to endue the inconveniences and pain.
As a matter of fact, my friends and I are pretty much all iPhone user. Start 3 months ago, everytime we experience a drop-call or other network glitches, we call Apple.
This is why I won’t buy an iPhone.
YOU were just WAITING for the reason now weren’t you.
Hahhaa.
This is utterly ridiculous. I have to admit though, I was recently in the market for a new phone and new service and decided against going with AT&T for obvious reasons. Of course due to the exclusivity contract with Apple, that meant no iPhone for me. Around the same time that I purchased my new phone from Verizon, I was given my Google Voice invite. Obviously it was the right move to not go with the iPhone. I would choose my Google Voice number over supporting a technological monopolization move any day. Bad Apple, BAD!
Probably an ATT&T request.
The duplicated (competing) features are likely visual voicemail, text messaging and international calling.
Enjoy your shackles.
Apple is such a joke. Why do people continue to buy their products?
Who knows.
Apple products have such an aura of gayness around them. I refuse to buy them on that basis.
Wow, a homophobic comment on a tech article. Yeah, totally appropriate Rob.
Apple products have a metro-sexual aura around them, not gayness.
This may make it less convenient but I’ve already moved to using GV permanently and AT&T can’t do anything about it.
From 1985 to 2005 it was Microsoft versus Apple, now it is Google versus Apple. They are quickly becoming the Coke and Pepsi of the digital world.
not.
REGULATION IN THE WIRELESS MARKET IS NEEDED!
These types of moves along with no Skype where AT&T outwardly says we won’t allow that because it’s a competitor is ridiculous!!! How many other markets in the US can that statement not get regulators to throw up the gauntlet?
Or perhaps Google submitted a GV app into the queue that’s good enough to be really threatening.
To ban it, Apple needs to shoot these two apps in order to ban a “class” of applications as opposed to Google in particular.
Collateral damage.
where are all the fanbois now? “of course, apple does not want everyone to use their products. they have to prove themselves to be real masochists before they do”
Not surprising… Apple blocks everything. How dare Google offer such a product for free. Hell, the blocking the Pre from using iTunes, now this? What is wrong wit those people?
I hope Google does something.
It’s not a great solution, but if you have an iphone, you can still access the mobile version of google voice on google.com/voice.
bad move, Apple. I’m not renewing my AT&T contract and switching over to Android.
This isn’t Apple folks. If you think it is, then you really don’t grasp the threat that Google Voice poses to the wireless market.
From all outward appearances, my GV number is a mobile number. It rings on whatever mobile I want, my work Verizon Blackberry, my personal iPhone, or a burner TracPhone I picked up at a truckstop. It doesn’t matter.
Same for SMS messages. If I wanted, I could tell ATT to pound sand with their ridiculous SMS pricing and get everything through my GV line.
ATT forced the removal of this app, and is probably blocking the Google-written one which, judging by the quality of the Blackberry app, would leave GV Mobile in the dust.
Apple really doesn’t care here, other than they need to appease ATT until there are better wireless options in the US (like Google!!)
Still doesn’t make sense because with all those devices you have, you still need a contract with each carrier and you still have to pay them their monthly voice, data, and sms fees. GV doesn’t get around that, so why are they so worried?
It doesn’t get around the voice fees, but if you have a data plan you definitely can avoid AT&T’s SMS plan entirely. GV treats SMS as data, which is the way it should be treated anyway!
Whether it’s AT&T forcing Apple to remove the app, or not, the state rationale Apple is allegedly using is “it duplicates functionality.” That’s bullshit. If AT&T demands it, they need to use that as a the reason.
“This isn’t Apple” seems to ignore the fact that it’s the iTunes store. If you mean Apple is responding to outside pressure then let me reassure you: I don’t really give a crap. When someone punches me in the face, or limits my options, the fact that it was someone else’s idea doesn’t matter to me: they’re the one doing it.
This kind of behavior wouldn’t be so objectionable if there was any other way to put apps on the iPhone, but there isn’t. If Kovacs was free to simply sell apps directly and not have the exposure and ease that the iTunes store offers then that would be one thing. But there is no supported way outside of jailbreak which has its own risks.
I’m all for switching to Android. AT&T is terrible and I believe Google will be more open to the apps it allows on their platform.
I still love my iPhone…just hate the service. (They shouldn’t be allowed to call it a phone…very poor service! More bars in more places…HA!) Plus, I’m getting tired of the heavy handed tactics by the App Store.
about the only place I get service is in the middle of a desert in New Mexico.
Welll… maybe someone should come up with a device that connects wirelessly to a nationwide network and isn’t tied to a telephone service provider. But maybe the wireless connection is $20/mo and it runs Google Voice and we can get out from under these $110/month iPhone bills. YOU CAN THANK ATT WIRELESS FOR THIS BULLSHIT.
Bunch of crap. There are plenty of other apps that “duplicates features that come with the iPhone”. How about calendar apps like Calengoo or Pocket Informant? Has to be either because of AT&T or Google’s Voice app is coming. Either way, my contract is up next spring. May be time for an Android device.
Apple’s executives are suddenly becoming increasingly despotic. The last time this happened it was not good for Apple.
Suddenly?
Apple has always acted like this.
Apple is getting more ridiculous. I’ll be switching to Android phone and T-Mobile if they continue to piss off users.
But then you will lose the coffee-shop cred. They may make your latte 5 degrees too hot.
I’ve been hearing a lot of people declaring the same thing you did. My question for you guys: how much further do they have to go before you’re willing to switch? It’s easy to say that you will, but really, what’ll it take?
olol. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking T-Mobile is any better. Mysterious charges, rabid customer service drones, shitty coverage. You think ATT is bad? T-Mobile is like ATT’s bastard stepchild.
Example: Had a yearlong contract. Called them up to add minutes to the plan. That silently pushed my contract expiration date forward to the time I asked for the minutes! Despite the fact that I asked beforehand and was told by several representatives that this was not the case.
All US-based carriers are c*nts. But ATT is at least the Devil You Know.
I really hope this move by Apple has something to do with that Google will shortly release their official GV app..
* wishful thinking*
The iPhone is a nice piece of hardware, but today I have made my decision to dump AT&T. I had been holding off getting an iphone until the official GVoice app came out, but it is looking like that is not going to happen.
Long live Android and open source. Long live phone numbers that are not attached to wireless carriers.
This stinks. It’s my phone yet I cannot use the applications I want. Lächerlich!
Typical iPhone user to Apple: “Please, sir, can I have some more? Ouch! I love you, sir!”
I have to side with Apple on this one. Why would you allow someone else to come control the native features of the phone you built? And allow a competitive product to use your hardware as a platform? Forget it. Kill the competition. GV Mobile should be on the android, not the iPhone. Go away.
So you say you aren’t familiar with GV? I understand…
An application isn’t forced upon users. The users know what they’re installing in most cases. This is classic Apple behavior. They want control over everything. It’s the same reason Macs OSX works only on apple hardware, and the same reason the iTunes/Palm fiasco happened.
“Macs OSX works only on apple hardware”…. I got OSX running on my Thinkpad x61 and T61. It’s true Apple does want to control everything. Thus, I jailbroke my iphone 3G using simonblog’s tutorial, went into Cydia dowloaded GV Mobile (now on Cydia and FREE, thanks Sean), went to ebay and purchased a Google Voice number (invite) for $2.50. I’m very happy with GV Mobile app and Google Voice… this type of service is the future, At&T and Apple can stick it.
I think Apple will eventually sever its ties with AT&T and side with Google
Time for this app to appear on Cydia…
A jailbroken iPhone is truly an incredible machine…
Sean put it up on Cydia a few days ago… http://www.seankovacs.com/
Thank you Apple for removing th only App on the market that makes Google Voice “GV” working efficiently on the IPhone. From my understanding of the Google Voice program the only Feature of Google Voice that could take money away from AT&T is the SMS. Why not just have Mr. Sean Kovacs adjust the his GV Mobile App by removing that aspect of the program and resubmitting to the Apps Store. Very disappointed
Disable SMS for GV Mobile would be no problem at all, just configure GV to forward your SMS messages to one of the other available apps that circumvent SMS instead of your other mobile phone. I think this would possible since when you receive a text message from one of those services it comes from a 6 digit number that could probably be added to your GV settings as a mobile phone that would receive SMS and not voice calls.
smells like fartbook
Just today, there was news that GV enabled Gizmo5, a VOIP service. So now using GV + Gizmo5 + Siphon (app available on JB iphone) – you get unlimited outgoing and incoming calls from your iphone. Guess that alerted ATT to the perils this can bring to their business and the first axe fell on GV Mobile.
Sean is putting the app on Cydia (free or paid not yet decided). Another reason why everyone should jailbreak their iphones. With backgrounder, it makes for a mean machine.
It’s actually already there. just got it and it rocks!
I agree… Backgrounder is the main reason I jailbroke my iPhone. I wanted Last.fm and Skype to run in the background while I did other things and Apple wasn’t going to tell I couldn’t do it.
Backgrounder and VoipOver3G are the best apps ever written for the iphone. But only because Apple has intentionally blocked it’s phone’s own ability to do these things.
VoipOver3G allows me to use Skype on 3G, no longer tied to a wifi network, Backgrounder keeps it hidden & running. Made it very useful. Also, b/c of VoipOver3G, I can now launch SlingPlayer and watch the morning news or any channel from my TV at home while on the bus commute to work. Also I don’t have to worry about data on an unlimited 3G network.