Apple Responds to the FCC - The UpStream

Apple Responds to the FCC

posted Sunday Aug 23, 2009 by Scott Ertz

Apple Responds to the FCC

A couple weeks ago I told you about Google's CEO leaving Apple possibly over the Google Voice app on the iPhone. Well, Google wrote a letter to the FCC asking them to investigate the situation. The FCC, in turn, required both AT&T and Apple to respond with their versions of what had happened. It may sound like a summer camp counselor breaking up a fight, but this is some serious stuff.

So, this week, Apple responded, and their response was pretty much expected. They said:

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.

So, the app isn't rejected, it is just pending indefinitely? Interesting move, boys. A pretty impressive way of not answering the question at all. Good job. But it gets better. In AT&T's response, they said even less useful.

To that end, let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store. AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other.

Any AT&T customer may access and use Google Voice on any web-enabled device operating on AT&T's network, including the iPhone, by launching the application through their web browser, without the need to use the Apple App Store.

So, the verdict here is, Apple didn't actually reject it, and AT&T didn't have anything to do with it. We will keep an eye on this and see how it develops. What do you guys think? Is Google overreacting? Or is Apple lying about what happened? Are they trying to protect the AT&T network usage? Let us know in the comments section.

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