Apple fires back at Google over Voice app rejection claim - Page 3

First I'd like to say I think it's obvious that Apple is playing games here. This is pretty clear. Even though we may not know all the reasons, clearly Apple is toying with the FCC.

Second - the reason Apple is toying with the FCC is because it's not politically correct for Apple to respond to the FCC by saying what really needs to be said, and that is this:

Dear FCC,

in regards to your enquiry about the rejection of the Google voice app. Damn right we rejected it. And to be perfectly honest, we don't need to give you or anyone else any reason for rejecting it. It's our product, and we have 100% authority of what is allowed on the phone and nobody else. This includes Google, and least of all the U.S. Government. It's called a "free market" and this is widely practiced in th U.S.A. to be perfectly honest, as long as we do not have a monopoly position (and last I checked 1% errors on the side of no monopoly) there is not a hell of a lot you can do about it.

You may recall, we are the ones who brought the Music labels to their knees and introduced .99 cent songs and no DRM (with no help from you I might add) so do not even think about lecturing us on consumer rights. We are just sick and tired of companies trying to coast off our success, and everyone wants a piece of the app store because it is the hottest development platform in the world. Period. If we let every Tom dick andharry into the store - we would end up with the same mess Windows is in.

Not to brag - but we are the ones who have made the smart phone market what it is today. And that is because we know what is right. If Google wants to make all their crappy apps available tooeople, they can submit it to a vendor who has lower standards then we do -there are plenty to choose from - Palm, Windows, and even Android to name just a few.

Again, we would like to emphasize that you - the FCC, has **** all to say about what we allow on our product, we abide by all laws we are required to follow, and FYI - allowing every ***** app that is submitted to the app store is not one of them. You would have better luck getting us to allow sync support for the Pre in iTunes (which is not going to happen in a million years either btw)

mind you, we have no hard feelings - we realize that we are the hottest company in the history of technology and we are probably the coolest brand in the history of the world, and companies like you and Greenpeace like to latch onto that because it gets you a lot of press. Google also has friends in the Obama administration and probably called in a favour and is probably the only reason you are looking into this. Let's face facts - we both know this issue is none of your ******* business and anything short of an entire overhaul of the communications history and the free market - your hands are tied and this letter is where it's going to end. You have to admit it - the REAL reason this industry is a mess is because you have been asleep at the wheel for the past 2 years - so I'm a little curious why all of a sudden you give a ****. So kindly - please **** off.

Kind Regards,
Steve.

While you might feel, in an emo sort of way, that Apple should respond like this, it would be the worst thing they could do.

The FCC is looking into regulation of this area of the industry, and that would convince them that it should be done.

We've had too many companies drunk with arrogance. That reply would would certainly fit in.

I'm not all the way on one side or the other about this, but I would like to see Apple clear up its position somewhat better than it has. I read the requirements Apple has set up, and while it may read to some as being clear as to what may and may not be done, that would be wrong. There is plenty of wiggle room for Apple.

I think that Apple should interpret their own rules as narrowly as possible. Sometimes they have to understand that they must give up a bit of revenue to make the customer happy.

And after all, if they're making most of their money selling the phones, and not the software, why would they care?

You sir are dead on...

I would prefer Apple just come out and say, we didn't like the app because we feel it duplicates the basic functionality of the OS. Then it would be over. Instead, they are looking more and more devious. I really like Apple products, but they are making the same mistakes they made in the 80's, too greedy and controlling. The only difference is this: the threat this go around isn't Microsoft, it's open source

I don't at all agree that the threat is open source. The threat is Google.

These apps, like OS X, start as open source, but are added to by major companies.

Open source programs aren't for profit. These are.

Google's apps are only there for Google's profit. They serve no other purpose than to up Google's sales and profits.

This locks you into a number of Google's services. Google gets Ad revenue from these services, and some may even be directly paid for.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that something that starts as open source always remains as open source.

Google said they were informed of the rejection over the phone by vice president Phil Schiller.

Say it again, y'all!

Did it just go over everyones head or did they simply not care... either way it's quite sad.

Dave

I'm an iPhone user and I can't use Google Voice.

I also have an HTC Magic here and I downloaded the GV application from the Android Market and I still can't use Google Voice.

I am in Australia the FCC should make Google release their service to ALL iPhone users before their App is accepted by Apple, the Google Voice service is dicriminatory and should be banned.

Well, there seems to be a difference over that.

I'm just wondering if any of this crap will have any impact in the decisions made in the net neutrality rules that the FCC is set announce on Monday.

Probably not, since something with that much impact must have been in development for quite some time with I'm guessing about a BILLION+ edits before they finally had the okay to announce it to the public.

I think it could be an interesting day on Monday...

Dave

BUT - you were able to log-in to GV using your "free" AT&T data path and send GV Text Messages - for Free. Something AT&T does not like. They want you to send Text via the iPhone text app which - if you use it - is not free. That's were the $$$$ comes into this.

FSCK GOOGLE!

Eric has shown his true colors, he's nothing but a whining little child.


Steve was smart to test him by saying no, just to see what he would do.


Eric goes crying to the FCC like a little b*tch when he doesn't get his own way, instead of addressing Apple's concerns and if that didn't work, accepting rejection like a man and hope Apple turns around later in their decision once they got over any fears they had.


Yes folks, this the NEW SOCIALIST AMERICA! I lived in states that were like this, companies crying to the government when they don't get their own way, trying to pull strings. I never thought the whole country would get this way.


Apple has always been it's own ecosystem, it's a vertically integrated company, they make and control the hardware and the software for the best user experience.


Google has become EVIL, in the sense that they track and record as much as possible anything a person does online.

Google Analytics (tracks you), Google Ads (annoys you), Google Search (records you), Google Mail (snoops you?), Google Earth (root kits you), Google Voice (snoops you), Google Apps (watches you work), Google DID I MISS ANYTHING??

All going directly into marketing companies computers and then into Uncle Sam's snoop squad.

Fsck Google, I'm tired of their name, their company and everything about it.


I have to install a hosts file addition to block my computer from their online tracking, a outgoing firewall to block their accessing the internet from programs, and even use Firefox, Ad Block and Ghostery plugin to block their web garbage.

I even have to install the Better Privacy plugin to prevent any Flash cookies they might install. Normal cookie cleaning doesn't catch Flash cookies. 340 Flash cookies removed in the last month since I reinstalled OS X.

How many Flash cookies have you got? Nice hidden record there...

how clever you are, should have known this long time ago. how could anyone accuse apple of anything wrong? damn you google.
btw, did you know that fanboys rarely escape the stockyard?

on a side note, just make the IPA downloadable somewhere, and fu*k apple in the a*s.

Apple seems to be stretching the truth. If it isn't approved and they have no intention of approving, then it was rejected.

This is pretty much perjury, not shades of grey. Sad that Apple has to be the bad guy here.

...where Apple said they "have no intention of approving" (sic).

Would you mind pointing that part out?

No, no, FCC, it's not fair to formulate this like that. It should be put as "new so-called net neutrality rule Monday that could prevent telecommunications, cable and wireless companies from blocking Google's Internet applications"
Google, you could definitely not to smash everything in your way like a panzer. Just wait a bit for Apple's contract with ATT expires. All that will become so much simpler.

As an Apple shareholder, and as an iPhone developer who has had to modify and re-submit apps to comply with Apple's guidelines and requests I think Google are being pathetic. They clearly don't want to play by the same rules as everyone else, they want to try and bully Apple into letting them do what they want on a platform they are guests on. Well I hope Apple tell them where to go.

Please, explains this to the developers which have seen their GV apps pulled from App Store.

They played the rules, their app was approved and months after banned. Ups, it's n
ot banned, it's under review in Apple's words

Since the moment that previous third party GV apps were pulled from App Store?

It is, well at least GV Mobile is.

Join the world of the jailbreakers and you can get GV Mobile as well quite a few other applications that Apple deems inappropriate for their users... It's this type of crap by Apple that makes jailbreaking a necessity if you're going to own an iPhone and you want to control the equipment YOU own.

Then you really need to get on the horn to the FCC to let them know of all the apps that are US only and that the Aussies feel discriminated against. Somethings are US only.

I am in Canada and can't fully use the GV service yet either. No more relevant than your comments about Aus, but true none the less.

Or they want to play by the rules and are puzzled as to why the rules are different for them.

You honestly see yourself as a guest on the iPhone platform? Really.

I didn't realize it was a requirement to hand your nuts over when you downloaded the SDK.

Vertically integrated doesn't mean closed. You could always write apps of your own to run on Macs.


And Black Google Helicopters are flying in with the Men in Black Google Suits. They will take the first born of every family in the US and place them into Google Indoctrination camps. We must all put on our tinfoil caps and turn to The Steve to save us from Them.

Would you happen to belong to any militias?

Oh, how very clever of you. Yes, of course, anyone concerned about personal privacy must belong to a militia.

The fact is, the biggest reason there is no privacy on the Internet is because of Google. And not content with what they can learn about you through their search engine and analytics, they continue to produce a plethora of "free" products that all have the same purpose: to collect as much personal identifiable information about you as they can, and to control how you access information, including your own information.

You can continue to pretend that they will only use this information and control for innocuous purposes, but there is absolutely no reason to believe that to be the case. Arrogance and greed will push them to use that information for whatever purposes enhance their power and increase their revenues.

You probably think you are protected by their privacy policy, but, in fact, they can and will use the information they collect about you in any way they see fit, and I promise you that at some point you won't be happy about it.

So then you believe google is root kitting your systems? I guess you are the clever one...knowing the secrets others do not. Almost Truther level of insight on your part.

That level of paranoia without any proof is crossing into the same levels as the crazy militias in the bush.

This is the most hilarious thing I have ever read. And if you think "tens of thousands" of developers make a living off the App Store, I have some real nice swamp land in Florida to sell you.

And lastly, I find it funny that you admit being an Apple "fanboy" while at the same time denigrating Google "fanboys"...by whining. The irony is off the charts.

Then I guess the word of Google's Alan Eustace that Phil Schiller told him it was rejected is good enough.
<sarcasm mode on>
The evidence above is simply irrefutable
I don't understand what is even being investigated
<sarcasm mode off>

We wont take into account...
- Apple has publicly stated and made official comments to the FCC that they have not rejected it
- Apple has stated they are still reviewing it
- Google hasn't shown anything from Apple stating it was rejected (as does every other app developer with a rejected app)

I hope this is sarcasm. If not, then you should start a movement for Australia to become part of the United States. Then the FCC would have jurisdiction over what happens there.

Or you should call your government representatives and ask them to force Google to release Google Voice for Australia.

So you think Google is any better than Apple or MS?

They all have their own agenda and if you think Google is doing this as white knight to the consumer, then you need to get better sh1t to smoke. Google made it clear their want to destroy MS and take away their fan base by providing free office type software. Now they are targeting Apple, but in very clever way.

You may dislike Apple intentions and their protective ways, but guess what Google has the same practice.

Btw: Does anyone remember China and how quick Google was ready to give up to the chinese government to screw their customers (chinese people).

Companies are here to make money for shareholders, bottom line and if someone or something screws with their revenue/profit their will protect it at all costs.

I will watch this from sidelines and see who screws, who first.

Why?

We aren't a socialist state where private enterprise in our free market system is dictated to by our Government to the same degree that the USA seems to be heading.

Your FCC better not screw up on forcing companies to accept "Internet based" applications on their devices or spammers and spyware makers will have a field day.

If you look at the comments I was replying to, the poster was saying ALL iPhone users should have this App, so if Apple is forced to allow it to iPhone users then shouldn't Google be forced to provide the service to ALL iPhone users.

No, they don't have to root kit systems. As I have mentioned before, all they have to do is dangle some "freeware" in front of the ignorant and you hand them whatever they want. It's called social engineering. The only difference between Google and some "hacker" is that they usually manage to not break the law to get what they want.

I say usually because in regards to the Google Books affair, the only difference between them and, for example, Pirate Bay, is that Google has an army of lawyers protecting them. Well, that's not the only difference. Pirate Bay only assisted people in violating copyrights. Google actually actively and knowingly violated copyright law. And it's clear from Eric Schmidt's recent comments on the matter that they believe themselves above the law, that we just have to let them do this because they want to.

There aren't any "secrets" that you have to know; all you have to do is look at the matter objectively and it's clear that Google believes it can do whatever it wants with anyone's information and get away with it. This isn't paranoia, it just the kind of company they obviously are.

You like to put words in other peoples mouths...we have been over that before.

No, I don't think google is better than Apple. Apple is actually my favourite company. Do you actually have a point to make?

I would like some of these people that hate google so much and are throwing out random accusations to back some of the up...or just quit making shit up.


Does google root kit our systems. It has been stated. Anonymous defended a criticism of that post. He or the person that made the claim is welcome to back it up....they won't of course. Facts are to inconvenient.

Does the GV as submitted automatically send all of the users data to google without out user consent or even knowledge? John B. has repeatedly made this claim and others though will never provide any facts to backup his claims.

I dislike people that fabricate to make a point...their assertions are worthless....they aren't much better.

Google Earth installs Google Software Update, which is a background process that automatically updates all your Google software without your permission.

Essentially it's watching your hard drive and reporting information to Google. The potential is there for a switch can be thrown for a few seconds anytime to see what's all on your hard drive before being switched off.

Maybe you don't want your mother to know you surf for porn, or you have been investigating a corrupt politician, that's your right to privacy. You shouldn't have to give that up just to use a piece of software to view pretty pictures of Earth.

Right now your trusting Google's programmers and their intentions and Google's intention is to collect as much information as they can to sell to marketing companies and it's largest buyers, governments. So you have to wonder WHY in the hell do they need to run their Google Software Update all the time, taking up processor resources when it can be run while a Google application launches?

How often does one use Google Earth anyway? right? You see the problem? You got something running all the time, for check for updates for something you only run occasionally. It's smells fishy as all hell and given Googles nature and business model in collecting all sorts of information, reeks like dead fish.


Also any vulnerability in this software essentially becomes a rootkit, as it's already installed in root, running all the time and has access to the internet.

95% of all exploits are in applications and plug-ins, not the operating system.

At least if the software update ran while you launched Google Earth, it would cut down on it's exploit potential. Your in the decision loop.

The way it is now, your machine is immediately rooted if a vulnerability is found with their software, just like what happened with Sony's DRM software that turned into a rootkit from vulnerability.


http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/02/why-googles-sof/



And by the way, what you call 'paranoia" is really the ability of certain people to be able to think several moves ahead compared to those who just blindly thinks everything that occurs is immediate.

"oh! you captured my queen in three moves, I didn't see that coming!"


Yes paranoia can be a problem if it's from imaginary threats, but Googles intentions are obvious, they aim to collect everything they can and may go as far as installing the basis of spyware on your machine to be turned on at a moments notice. Marketeers are famous for abusing people's privacy, that's how they make their money. To build a profile of YOU so they can sell it.

It's enough one has to trust Apple, if they betray that trust, we don't buy their hardware anymore. But Google has nothing to lose, most people are not technically competent to be able to block all their data mining techniques.

then your post was worthless.

Reading before replying would be helpful....please reread the post I replied to, which you then jumped on...


Like I said, if you think google is root kitting you, then you are paranoid...I am sorry you take issue with that opinion.

I asked you a question and you go on a rant....never put words in your mouth, now who is paranoid. Just stated my opinion like everyone else.

Btw: can anyone say Google software update (root).

not a root kit.


Also, Apple had some complaints with their software updater on Windows. We give them the benefit of the doubt.

Please explain to me why it is not a root kit. Since forgive us, if we do not take you at your word. Before you rant on me again, just want to know why?

Btw: I have apple software update on my work system (yes we use windows) and you can set it to manual, so no automatic update, is google the same?

Right? The iPod Touch is a gaming device. Didn't you see all the new gaming accessories that Apple has now for it? The joystick, the snap on console, etc,? It's a PGP -nothing more, nothing less.
Didin't you listen to the spinmeister?
Oh and that blank spot inside the Touch is where Ms PacMan lives.

Looks a lot to me as though you are fabricating to make a point, putting words in my mouth, and trying to cover it up. I do agree, though, that your assertions are worthless, however, I will avoid casting aspersions on your character.

Apple can decide who they let on the iPhone - they created it. Why should Google get better treatment than every else? Because they're bigger?