WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

The FCC is getting answers from both Apple and AT&T after inquiring about the Google Voice app rejection.

AT&T in a letter to the FCC answered questions about the denial of allowing the Google Voice iPhone  App into the iPhone app store, by saying it they had no role in the decision not to offer Google Voice on the AT&T network.

Meanwhile, Apple laid out a long answer to the FCC questions on its website. The main reason for non-approval was that it altered the user-interface and took over the iPhone functions, voicemail and SMS texting.

Google Voice is a free app that is like having your own robotic switchboard with answering service to route calls and tell spammers that your number is disconnected. Messages are turned into text and sent as email. They currently only offer apps for Android and BlackBerry.

Here's what Apple wrote to the FCC:

 "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."

The Google Voice application replaces Apple's Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple's Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub--replacing the iPhone's text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user's entire Contacts database is transferred to Google's servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

Apple explained why it rejects apps:

Most rejections are based on the application containing quality issues or software bugs, while other rejections involve protecting consumer privacy, safeguarding children from inappropriate content, and avoiding applications that degrade the core experience of the iPhone. Given the volume and variety of technical issues, most of the review process is consumed with quality issues and software bugs, and providing feedback to developers so they can fix applications. Applications that are fixed and resubmitted are approved.

The FCC had a little confusion because it asked about VoIP apps to which Apple responded.

"Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application. Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T's 3G network".

Read the official Apple response.

The official statement is from  Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president, external and legislative affairs:

"We appreciate the opportunity to clear up misconceptions related to an application Google submitted to Apple for inclusion in the Apple App Store. We fully support the FCC's goal of getting the facts and data necessary to inform its policymaking.

"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.

"AT&T does not block consumers from accessing any lawful website on the Internet. Consumers can download or launch a multitude of compatible applications directly from the Internet, including Google Voice, through any web-enabled wireless device. As a result, 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."