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Official Google Voice finally reaches the iPhone

updated 02:20 pm EST, Tue November 16, 2010

 

Apple posts Google Voice for iPhone


After one of the longest app delays in memory, Apple today posted Google Voice for the iPhone (free, App Store). The app lets users make outbound calls using a Google Voice number at its reduced rates and also supports free outbound messages. Users can also check texts and voicemail with push notifications when either comes in while the app is closed.

The app needs a Google Voice account, which so far is only available in the US.

Availability comes roughly in line with promise of a launch within weeks of approval and after more than a year of controversy over its appropriateness for the store. Apple had insisted it never rejected the app but had let title languish for months even after an FCC investigation. Google had claimed that Apple had rejected it outright for similarity to the core dialer app and implied that the denial was in part to snub Google's Android efforts.

Apple had already greenlit third-party Google Voice titles earlier in the year and is thought to have started allowing apps after government investigations led it to loosen iOS app guidelines.


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By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, industry, Google, Android, audio, FCC, mobile phones, Apple, Google Voice

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Previous Comments

  1. drumrobot

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2009

    -1
    11/16, 02:59pm | report spam | reply

    'Delayed' might not be the right word...

    I doubt that it's the same application that Google submitted a year ago. Just say that it got rejected the first time but was approved this time.


  1. lamewing

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Aug 2004

    +2
    11/16, 03:03pm | report spam | reply

    Reality Check

    Common sense tells me that Apple didn't like the competition from Google so they simple tabled the app. THIS is the type of behavior I would expect from MS, not Apple...well not the Apple of yore.


  1. Raman

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Mar 2001

    +1
    11/16, 04:47pm | report spam | reply

    Not VOIP

    Unfortunately, the only purpose to use the dialer is to call a 3rd party number that re-dials the number you wanted to call so that they see your google voice name/number on their caller ID. You're still using your cellphone carrier's voice minutes.

    IOW, this won't be very useful because you can't make outgoing calls on a iPad or iPod.


  1. DCJ001

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Oct 2007

    +2
    11/16, 04:52pm | report spam | reply

    Only on iPhones, for now...

    But it does make sense to be able to use Google Voice on an iPod touch/iPad because some people use Skype and/or Gizmo5 which, when used with an iPod touch/iPad, would allow calls to be made very inexpensively or for free.

    Skype calls on an iPod touch/iPad with Google Voice would be great. Gizmo5 calls on an iPod touch/iPad need the Google Voice app to work on them.


    Comment buried. Show
  1. wrenchy

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Nov 2009

    -15
    11/16, 04:53pm | report spam | reply

    This App


    should be limited to Android Users only.

    Google has no business giving away these valuable services away to non-Android Users.


  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    11/16, 06:20pm | report spam | reply

    Re: 'Delayed' might not be the right word...

    I doubt that it's the same application that Google submitted a year ago. Just say that it got rejected the first time but was approved this time.

    Except that's not what Apple says.

    "Apple had insisted it never rejected the app but had let title languish for months even after an FCC investigation."

    Which means it was never just 'rejected', but rather just put in a drawer and ignored, hoping it would go away.


  1. Logic2.6

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Oct 2007

    0
    11/17, 05:49am | report spam | reply

    No VOIP

    This long-awaited app is pointless for anyone looking to conserve cell minutes. People have already talked about this, but what is even more annoying is that the accompanying GV Connect update breaks direct calling (at least for me) using WIFI. Advice for anyone looking to conserve minutes, ignore this and don't bother upgrading GV Connect.


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