Yesterday marked the death knell for Google voice apps, both existing and new Google Voice app that was flat rejected. Google was informed yesterday that GV Mobile was pulled due to “duplicating features”. Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile wrote:
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…
This type of removal doesn’t elaborate on the exact reasons, making it very difficult for Google to resubmit the app. It appears that Apple wants no part of GV Mobile in their store, despite the fact it was personally approved by Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior VP of Worldwide Product Marketing.
Continuing the trend of rejection, Google confirmed that an app for Google Voice won’t be appearing in the App Store anytime soon.
We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users — for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.
Some are speculating carrier interference by AT&T. Google Voice offers users the ability to send free SMS messages and get cheap long distance over Google Voice. Google Voice has been out for a while, but with limited availability. Google has started to accept more Google Voice users, which may be the reason why the carriers are concerned and might be why Google Voice received a rejection. A third party app called VoiceCentral was removed by Apple.
Google has been great for iPhone owners, often bringing apps to the platform before Android. One has to wonder if baseless rejections could impact future availability of apps that many find extremely useful.
Discuss the Google Voice Apps rejection in our forums.
[via TechCrunch]
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If apple continues to block valuable apps like this, my next phone will DEFINITELY be an Andriod phone.
I hope all these good apps that are being denied by apple shows up on another smartphone that takes away it’s thunder.