Think Different, Apple Bans Google Voice Applications
This morning Stan Schroeder reported that Apple has banned Google Voice applications on the iPhone. Google began development of their own applications, which already exists for the Blackberry and Android platforms, but never made it to the App Store.
But a variety of applications like Sean Kovac’s GV Mobile have been in the App Store for months. It’s an awfully big pill for the consumer to swallow by taking away the functionality and an even bigger pill for the developer. While he may have a full-time job or another set of applications in the works, how does he fully recover his time developing that is now lost?
Luckily I purchased GV Mobile and will still enjoy use of the application on my iPhone 3GS.
It’s as if you almost need prior approval from Apple before developing for the platform. And while Apple is front and center when thinking about the controversy you do need to dig a bit deeper and likely blame AT&T. They likely are afraid of an application that challenges their suite of services. But I already pay an extraordinary fee to operate the iPhone on the AT&T network and they are collecting my fees regardless of me using a Google Voice number or not.
In fact, as a small business owner Google Voice gives me the opportunity to have a vanity phone number or one in a different area code. Maybe AT&T should focus on competing with their feature set instead of pressuring Apple to dump valuable applications.
Apple’s motto has been “Think Different”, and in this case they are thinking very different than I am. Maybe the motto should be “Status Quo” or “Closed Platform”. Apple I love you, but you do not need to ban these applications. In fact you hold the bargaining chips, just let AT&T know you do not intend to extend their exclusivity with the iPhone. I’m sure they’ll “Think Different” then…
