Apple and Google's soap

A few weeks ago we told you about Apple rejecting the Google Voice app, also the 'relationship' between Google Apple and Google seemed to be broken, but it's not completely broken... this is WAR.

FCC asked Apple to explain why they rejected Google Voice and if AT&T was involved in that decision. They send letters to Apple, AT&T and Google questioning about the incident, asking a few interesting questions like:

1. Why did Apple reject the Google Voice application for iPhone and remove related third-party applications from its App Store? ...

2. Did Apple act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application and related applications? If the latter, please describe the communications between Apple and AT&T in connection with the decision to reject Google Voice. Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple's decision in this matter?

4. 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. Are any of the approved VoIP applications allowed to operate on AT&T's 3G network?

And then we thought that these questions would have a private response from Apple, but we were totally wrong: Apple Answers the FCC’s Questions:

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. 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...

So basically they rejected (indeed they are still studying it) the app because it changes the way an iPhone app is supposed to work. That's a point because we all know how to use an iPhone app thanks to the Apple advices to developers, you should find the edit on the top bar, swift your finger left to delete a row...

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

Plain simple here.

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.

Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall were approved because they use VoIP over Wifi, not over AT&T's 3G network. That makes sense, AT&T fears that so many people using VoIP over its 3G network would cause them problems, and since Apple doesn't have information about how the VoIP works in the Google Voice app they have another point to reject it.

Could this be the end of the story??? We don't think so, so stay tuned for more, this can be as good as a Lost's season finale :)