You just had to have the feeling this wouldn't last long. Apple has removed the official Google Voice application and any other applications that use Google Voice functionality from its iPhone App Store, citing overlaps between the Google services features and ones native to the iPhone.
TechCrunch's Jason Kincaid is pretty positive this is the result of handwringing and pressure from Apple's exclusive U.S. iPhone distribution partner, AT&T. Since Google Voice allows for free SMS messages and cheap long distance, AT&T is likely attempting to protect its legacy service revenues from Google's alternatives.
Will Apple follow suit in removing other VoIP applications and free SMS applications from the iPhone App Store, or is this more of a direct Google snub?
For more:
- see the TechCrunch post here [1]
Related articles
Google could be aiming at Skype with Google Voice mobile push [2]
What's Google up to with Voice and other toys? [3]
Links:
[1] http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/27/apple-is-growing-rotten-to-the-core-and-its-likely-atts-fault
[2] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/google-could-be-aiming-skype-google-voice-mobile-push/2009-07-20-0
[3] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/whats-google-voice-and-other-toys/2009-07-16