No Google Voice for the iPhone

Google just released their mobile voice application for the BlackBerry and Android platforms, but not for the iPhone. WTF? Google is saying this will depend on Apple or maybe AT&T as they have to accept it first. If you have an iPhone and you want to use Google Voice you can still access it via the Safari Browser, which still isn’t as cool as a a fully independent app like the Android and BlackBerry has. Google Voice allows you to make calls, check voicemails and sent text messages through a Google-provided phone number. Supposedly Google is working with Apple to get an iPhone app version available.

A very cool feature of Google Voice is the ability to make international calls at a very reduced rate. You can also send and receive text messages through your Google number for free which bypasses mobile carriers altogether. To make things convenient Google Voice will transcribe voicemails and read numbers from your smartphones phone book. If Google Voice does all this then what reason is there for Apple and AT&T to let the app pass? There isn’t really, which is why they may not allow it onto the iPhone. We have seen them protect themselves in the past by not allowing video applications to be approved, they also made Skype remove the free phone call feature before it was approved. If you have a BlackBerry or Android phone then you’ll be able to make use of these cool features, but Google Voice is currently available by invite only.

UPDATE: Apple rejects Google Voice app

-Ray