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Apple and AT&T have told the FCC that the network operator played no part in the removal of Google Voice and a host of other apps that utilised the service, from the App Store.
According to MacWorld, the inquiry has come after the Google Voice VoIP service was rejected from the App Store, with service duplication being cited as the reason. However, speculation arose that AT&T had a hand in the rejection, as the free phone service would effectively cost the network operator revenue.
“Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application,” said an Apple statement in response to the rumours. “No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.”
Apple has also claimed that the application has not been fully rejected and is still under review, stating: “We are continuing to study the Google Voice application and its potential impact on the iPhone user experience.”
However, Kevin Duerr, the developer of VoiceCentral – one of the applications included in the ban – is sceptical of this claim.
“It’s kind of typical of Apple, not being entirely forthcoming,” he told Computer World. “They may not be lying when they say ‘we didn’t reject Google Voice, we’re still pondering it,’ but then why was my app, and the others, removed from the App Store?”
