Katie MarsalRevealed by David Pogue in The New York Times, Google's alleged Voice Web application is said to be the "next chapter" in the ongoing dispute between it and Apple.
"Already, Google says it is readying a replacement for the Google Voice app that will offer exactly the same features as the rejected app — except that it will take the form of a specialized, iPhone-shaped Web page," Pogue writes. "For all intents and purposes, it will behave exactly the same as the app would have; you can even install it as an icon on your Home screen."
He goes on to question: "What is Apple going to do now? Start blocking access to individual Web sites?"
On Friday, Google declined to comment on Pogue's column. However, the news reaffirms the browser abilities alluded to in comments from a Google spokesperson last week.
"We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone," the spokesperson told AppleInsider. "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."
Weeks ago, Apple rejected the Google Voice application, and pulled two programs that used the Voice service from the App Store. AT&T has denied responsibility in the incident, but it, Google and Apple are under investigation from the Federal Communications Commission over the matter.
Bon Adamson
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
AppleInsider Staff
Amber Neely
71 Comments
fantastic, I love Google Voice and it'll be great to get it on my iPhone. I can only hope Apple's recent reign of evil doesn't carry over to blocking the site.
Why is Google under investigation for their app being blocked?
Exactly why it made no sense at all to ban these apps.
The unfortunate part of it being a web app is 2 key features will be somewhat hobbled. VVM and SSM will both work but will be far less convenient by being a web app. Notifications will have come by email and so not be instantaneous.
Why is Google under investigation for their app being blocked?
Poor wording, I think. The are included in the parties that have been asked by the FCC for info regarding their investigation into Apple's decision and what influence AT&T had.
I think this is a good choice by Google. At least it looks like they aren't going to be vindictive by refusing to support the iPhone. And Google's ability to turn Google Voice into a Web App shows that Apple may not have been wrong by pushing Web Apps instead of a SDK in the beginning, since Web Apps are just as capable in many cases.
It's doubtful that Apple will block a Web App since even hardcore Apple supporters would probably be adverse to Apple actively censoring the internet.
The unfortunate part of it being a web app is 2 key features will be somewhat hobbled. VVM and SSM will both work but will be far less convenient by being a web app. Notifications will have come by email and so not be instantaneous.
I wonder if Apple would approve a dedicated notification program for Google Voice into the App Store that just directs the user to the Web App when a push notification comes in.