Google and Apple argue over voice application
Google and Apple can’t seem to agree. The controversy began in late August when Google responded to questions posed by the FCC regarding their claims that Apple had rejected both the Google Voice and Google Latitude applications.
Initially, certain portions of the Google response were censored as confidential, at the request of Google. Not long after, there were a number of requests for the information to be revealed under the Freedom of Information Act.
Google responded on their public policy blog (http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2009/09/our-complete-letter-to-fcc-regarding.html) that although they could have challenged the request “in the interest of transparency,” they decided to publish the full version of their reply, as Apple had done the same. The FCC uploaded the full version to their site on the 18th of September. (http://wireless.fcc.gov/releases/9182009_Google_Filing_iPhone.pdf)
Based on the published telephonic communication between representatives of the two companies, Google makes the claim that Apple rejected Google Voice on the grounds that the “application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone.” Apparently, Apple communicated that they do not want applications that can replace the core functions of the iPhone.
According to Google, the Latitude application was rejected on the grounds that it would replace the preloaded iPhone maps application, create user confusion since the preloaded maps application was based on Google Maps, and offers new functionality that would also add to user confusion.
Apple has responded, and through a company spokesman stated: “We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google.”
Essentially, Apple is saying that Google lied. However the company could just be trying to save face. A search through the iStore applications reveals a number of third party diallers, which undermines Apple’s reasoning for disapproving Voice. That is, if Google’s side of the story is true.
The question is, does Apple have something against Google, or is Google trying to play public relations hardball with false accusations?
Apple versus Google – comments and views
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