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Apple has apparently pulled GV Mobile today. This app that has been in the App Store since May 13, 2009. The reason? See what the developer claims he was told below.
From the developer Sean Kovacs:
Richard Chipman from Apple just called – he told me they’re removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc). He didn’t actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general. He wouldn’t send a confirmation email either – too scared I would post it. I’ll see what I can do to get it back up there gang…
This was a very useful app for people with Google Voice accounts. My only guess is that Google may be bringing its own app to the iPhone. Who knows. The reason stated above seems nuts as the app has been in the App Store for months! Even if Google did have its own app, it should not be pulled as competition is a great thing.
Apple claiming “duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc.)” is bull as that would mean apps like Skype, Truphone, Fring, etc would also be “duplicating features that the iPhone comes with.” GV Mobile is NOT even a VoIP applications as it is only a front-end to Google Voice.
This practice has got to stop Apple! Really!!!
UPDATE: Seems it is now known that Apple has now also rejected Google’s official Google Voice app! So this means folks that Google Voice one of the most innovative and useful things to come to telephony services in years will NOT be available to the iPhone while it may be available to other mobile phone platforms.
It sure looks like AT&T may be the culprit here. I can not believe that Apple with its successful iPhone that is responsible for so much of AT&T profits in wireless is allowing AT&T to push them around and dictate this. The company that has made the major record companies bow to them over music pricing.
GV Mobile and VoiceCentral was available in the App Store for many months before being removed. Apple seems to be just as much to blame.
Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile says Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, personally approved his app last April. Schiller was said to called him to personally apologize for the delay in initially getting the application initially approved.
I little history lesson – SlingPlayer Mobile crippled as it only works on WiFi while it works on 3G on OTHER phones, Qik is blocked completely while it is available on OTHER phones, Skype cripples to operate on only WiFi when it works on OTHER phones on 3G. These are just a few of the bigger examples. This practice is hurting innovation, iPhone users and the iPhone platform.
Palm, RIM, Nokia, Google Android and yes, even Microsoft should take note. Sounds like great marketing material here. I smell a new 1984 commercial with Apple and AT&T being on the big screen!
In the mean time iPhone owners should now jailbreak! There are few reasons not to and MANY reasons to perform a simple 10 minute procedure to run the apps you want.
See: 15 Apps Worth Jailbreaking Your iPhone To Use, ADD the Google Voice apps to this list!
| Tags: Apple, appstore, google voice
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
I am amazed on just how out of control, or should I say IN control Apple thinks it has to be. The jailbreak sites will be busier as Apple plays these games. Apple is getting worse than Micro$oft!
GV Mobile uses cell minutes, it is not a VoIP app. It duplicates nothing, it innovates. I doubt AT&T cares about this app. I doubt Google does either as they have a FREE app that is thought is coming to the iPhone (MAYBE).
So I think it was Apple alone that made this STUPID decision for an app that has been available for months and has had several updates that were approved. So it was pulled NOT rejected! Complete morons!
I am going to jailbreak my own iPhone now. Why should I play be Apple’s rules that seem to change as the wind blows. Screw them!
One of the most useful apps on the iPhone is PULLED! What a pain in the Apple this is. JAILBREAK YOUR iPHONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Apple you suck. Apple has the most successful mobile device with the most apps and the most downloads. So these dipshits seem to be afraid of success, and want to screw with iPhone users and developers!
I may move to Android for my next phone. I am tired of this nonsense.
Great, I use this app. This is ridiculous as I bought this months ago and greatly depend on it. Now I have to wonder if it will still work after Apple updates iPhone to 3.1 that is supposed to be coming.
Joke is I probably used a lot more cell minutes since I got this than before.
I think I will jailbreak soon. Getting tired of Apple and AT&T screwing with apps like this. Take Slingplayer – no 3G allowed, BUT MLB.com At Bat now streams all games over 3G. How could a developer even guess what the rules are?
WTF do you want Apple? Do you want us to move to the Palm Pre? Android? Seems jailbreak is needed to use the iPhone.
The real point here is that this app was not rejected, it was removed after being available for months and several updates. This is inexcusable. Shows what we already knew that Apple is a control freak that is hurting their own success.
Pretty crappy to be an iPhone developer I guess. Seems some other phone platform may end up being the “fairer platform.”
I definitely will buy less apps.
Screw this. Glad my contract is up soon. I am moving to another phone.
I am a developer who has spend time working on iPhone apps. The system for approval is stupid and I have since given up developing anything for the iPhone. On top of Apple having no rules anyone can understand and rejecting and removing apps on a moments notice, it is hard to even get noticed in the App Store now. I think the party is over and other platforms will surely catch up and surpass Apple.