So Apple DID kill Google Voice!

Adam Wyss — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:48:57 +0000

Today, the Google Policy Blog announced that due to several Freedom of Information Act requests they worked with the FCC to simply release the entire contents of their response letter to “Google Voice-gate”. Here is the PDF of the full release if you wish to read it for yourself or you can see the juicy part below, which was question #2.

What explanation was given (if any) for Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice application (and for any other Google applications for iPhone that have been rejected, such as Google Latitude)? Please describe any communications between Google and AT&T or Apple on this topic and a summary of any meetings or discussion.

a.     Apple’s Explanation for Rejection of the Google Voice Application
Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core functionality of the iPhone. The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want applications that could potentially replace such functionality.

b.     Apple’s explanation for Rejection of the Google Latitude Application
Apple’s representatives informed Google that the Google Latitude application was rejected because Apple believed the application had the potential to: (i) replace the preloaded maps application, (ii) create user confusion since the preloaded maps application on the iPhone is a version of Google Maps, and (iii) offer new features not present in the preloaded maps application (which might contribute to the user confusion referenced above). The Apple representatives indicated that the company did not want such applications that could potentially replace such functionality and potentially create user confusion.

c.     Communications between Google and AT&T on this Topic
None

d.     Communications between Google and Apple on this Topic
A series of in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails between July 5 and July 28, 2009, Apple and Google representatives discussed the approval status of the Google Voice application that was submitted on June 2, 2009. The primary points of contact between the two companies were Alan Eustace, Google Senior Vice President of Engineering & Research, and Phil Schiller, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing. On July 7, Mr. Eustace and Mr. Schiller spoke over the phone. It was during this call that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Google Voice application for the reasons described above in 2(a)

In a series of in-person meetings, phone calls, and emails between March 5 and April 10, 2009, Apple and Google representatives discussed the approval status of the Google Latitude application that was submitted on February 27, 2009. The primary points of contact between the two companies were again Mr. Eustace and Mr. Schiller. On April 10, Mr. Eustace met with Mr. Schiller in person at Apple’s offices. It was at this meeting that Mr. Schiller informed Mr. Eustace that Apple was rejecting the Latitude application for the reasons described above in 2(b).

So what I want to know is who is committing perjury here? Apple or Google? Maybe a way around the Latitude problem would be for Google to just work with Apple to use Latitude as a replacement for the stock Maps application. As far as Google Voice goes, hoping for iPhone OS integration may be a bit much but it sure would solve “user confusion”. I think though that if you go through the trouble to find, download, and install Google Voice, you probably won’t be confused by GV and the stock Phone app.

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So Apple DID kill Google Voice!

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