Google recently announced the release of the Google Voice app for the iPhone. What some may not know is that this app stirred up a lot of controversy last year. And, now that it's here, what are reviewers saying?
Back in the summer of 2009, the Apple store rejected the Google Voice app along with other Google Voice related apps, citing "duplicate features that come with the iPhone,” according to TechCrunch, who broke the story. Apple's action sparked the FCC's interest. Eventually, on July 31, 2009, the FCC wrote a letter to Apple, beginning:
"Recent press reports indicate that Apple has declined to approve the Google Voice application for the iPhone and has removed related (and previously approved) third-party applications from the iPhone App Store. In light of pending FCC proceedings regarding wireless open access (RM-11361) and handset exclusivity (RM-11497), we are interested in a more complete understanding of this situation." [Letter found here.]
The FCC letter goes on to ask several questions, including, "Please explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone."
After the FCC began investigation, Google and AT&T took a lot of heat by consumers, evident in tech blogs around the world. A year and a half later, the app has just been released, and CNET completed a thorough review.
In the review, CNET states that Google Voice for the iPhone is easily set-up and has a very straight-forward appearance. It also has push notification and an interesting "Quick-Dial" feature that allows users to prioritize contacts. However, CNET cites that there are also significant glitches that need to be worked out.
"The most jarring issue is that texts between two Google Voice on iPhone users duplicated each Google voice text in the iPhone's text app. Instead of receiving three text alerts for three sent text messages, we received a total of six alerts and messages," says CNET. Also, "Google Voice users we knew sometimes texted us using numbers we didn't recognize. Google Voice uses local numbers to route calls quicker, and those are the numbers we intermittently saw in text messages, rather than the caller or texter's single Google Voice number."
It seems obvious to me that these problems will need to be fixed for the lasting success of Google Voice for the iPhone. However, the random local numbers used seem to be inherent in the Google Voice platform and is somewhat accepted by users because - hey - it's a free, personal service. Still, Google Voice for the iPhone is a good example of consumers speaking out against stifling innovation with proprietary restrictions. With its unified communication experience in GMail, I predict Google Voice will continue to rise as a VoIP application for personal use. Stay tuned for Leo's experience with Google Voice for the iPhone....