Google to circumvent Apple ban on Google Voice
updated 03:40 pm EDT, Fri August 7, 2009
Google Voice web app
Google is working on an alternative means of getting Google Voice to the iPhone, says the New York Times. A dedicated application was recently rejected from the App Store for unspecified reasons, though suspicions immediately turned to pressure from AT&T. The carrier has since tried to counter suggestions that it opposed the cheaper SMS and long-distance options Voice may provide.
As a solution, Google is said to be developing a special web app, not only formatted for the iPhone but capable of performing the same functions. Little else is known about project, but a Google spokesperson describes at least some of the company's current iPhone efforts as "taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers." The iPhone 3.0 version of the Safari web browser supports technologies such as HTML streaming, which could help. By developing a web app, Google may be able to sidestep any official methods of blocking Voice.
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I'm sure this will show the way for lots of other developers that got rejected. Though they won't get the exposure they had or would have had in the App Store. Basically, if your app actually has value, then you'll get people to hit up your website, if it's a worthless piece of spam, well....
I'm still waiting to see what the outcome of all this is. Did ATT pressure Apple? Was it all Apple's doing, and if so, why?
Could this (totally wild thought here) have anything to do with the Chinese iPhone? We already know it won't have wifi so no skype. How regionalized are App Stores? Are you able to go to say the App store in Canada instead of in the US, I've never tried. Anyone know?