Apple – Google Voice Saga Fails To Go Away

Google is not backing down from its claims against Apple no matter how hard Apple tries. Google Voice is an innovative voice service that could have been a game changer for iPhone owners. While Google was confident that the app would be iPhone-approved by now, Apple has refused to budge and continues to make life difficult for Google and other companies that have similar solutions.

Apple and at&t have both provided the FCC with their case in separate letters. Apple claimed that it had not rejected Google Voice and was studying the situation. Here is what Apple had to say to address FCC’s concerns about the development:

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.

at&t, too, claimed innocence. The company officials claimed that they have had “no” involvement in the process, shifting all the burden on Apple when it comes to dealing wit this issue. If you look at all this information on the surface, you would think that Apple has provided somewhat satisfactory answers to some of the FCC’s concerns. So why doesn’t this issue go away? It’s mostly due to one or all party being dishonest about their intentions. Google’s letter to the FCC indicates that Apple did indeed reject Google Voice, contrary to what Apple claimed. And as you would expect, Apple still denies that ever happened.

Apple clearly doesn’t want Google Voice to be offered on the iPhone platform as it is. The company has known for being controlling, and it’s doing what it has done best in the past, controlling what goes on its top gadget. At the end, it seems both companies will meet somewhere in the middle. Apple may be ready to make some compromise to get this issue off the media coverage. Google has shown that it’s not backing down on this issue, but it does seem to be open to some compromise. But you never know what you get with Apple.

Your take: should Apple allow Google Voice app to work on iPhone?