So it’s either because Google IS Google, or some of the extra features that encroach on Apple’s turf.

The Android platform, while unable to handle VoIP apps at its release, has been updated a few times and has, in fact, been able to use VoIP apps for quite a while now.

This is mentioned in Andy Rubin’s response that has been widely referenced.

On a side note, I have never owned an iPhone, and I purchased a G1 about four months ago. I think that most of the “polish” is fine, but some of the features that I think the phone should have are not here yet. So, while I find the phone to be solid, bug-free and a good performer, I still can’t believe that Android has not fixed its Bluetooth implementation to the point of re-inclusion yet.

No doubt that rejecting Google Voice was perhaps a very smart move on Apple’s part, and Apple definitely has the option to do so. I think most people (myself included) would just like them to say so, and stop the FUD, although I can also see why they don’t want to come out and be that open about it–that’s just not good business.

And if not, what will they charge? I’m not particularly impressed with what they’re charging now for MobileMe and iDisk. They’d have to offer much more for much less to get my business. I’d also be ticked off (like I am about Google Voice), if they tried to force me into their schemes. If the services cost money (unlike iTunes) the FTC just might regard their coercion as illegal bundling. I doubt a business plan where, if you buy an iPhone or Mac, you have to subscribe to Apple Voice rather than Google Voice would pass muster in court. Both AT&T and IBM got in big trouble for similar obsessions with control.

How multi-platform are they going to be? Locking down access to iPods meant they had to create parallel versions of iTunes for Macs and Windows. Are their Google-supplanting apps going to be multi-platform? If not, those who use several platforms for their computers and smart phones, will be unhappy. Macs and iPhones would live in pleasant little resorts, isolated from the rest of the world.

Finally, Apple and Google seem to be behaving like grade-school boys arguing about whose dad is bigger. There are many, many applications for Macs and iPhones that don’t have an Apple version. Does it really make sense to just fret about Word or Google Voice because they come from giant corporations and ignore highly popular and successful applications just because the parent isn’t a giant? And can we be sure that if Apple blocks competition from giants, it won’t someday block the little guys from what it regards as its ever-expanding turf. There are hints it’s already doing that for the iPhone.

Apple needs to learn to live with competition by beating it with something better. I don’t like seeing Google Voice blocked. I’d rather seen an Apple product, in part because I tire of Google knowing everything about me. Apple already has a ‘home court’ advantage. Typically, someone else’s application has to be significantly better before we use it rather than Apple’s.

For Apple, it ought to be enough that living in an Apple orchard is a bit more convenient than foraging in the wilds. They shouldn’t try to fence us in and insist we eat only their fruit.

My team is now looking at going purely web-based, with a generic 480 pixel-wide interface and optimizations for iphone and blackberry interfaces based on browser detection.

In the meantime I think Apple should be forced to spin off its iphone os into a separate company with a 3rd-party board for approval of iphone apps, giving no advantage to apple.

Apple, as part of their contract with AT&T, as well as i’m sure with negotiations with Verizon and others, has some clause requiring them not to compete with, not allow the use of apps that compete with, fee based services from the providers.

Apple already fought AT&T on how they wanted to use MMS (e-mail, “MMS is unnecessary when you can send pictures in e-amil for free” remember that?), and they fought AT&T and others on ringtones, coming up with a solution that cost %25 of AT&T’s ringtone offering. If Apple let a phone on the device that could directly replace SMS (a viable, multiplatform, backgroundable chat app for instance, back ended by a 3rd party like google), and then further allowed VoIP or the equivalent, AT&T could stand to loose hundreds of dollars per year per phone, amounting to billions in lost revenue.

Do you really think on a hard core web connected platform like the iPhone that AT&T, and EVERY OTHER PROVIDER, would not have fought VERY HARD to ensure contract clauses that prevented Apple from releasing ANY apps that permitted bypassing fee based, minute based, or message based services, especially with the iPhone data plan having started at $20 including some texts and unlimited data where blackberry plans on the same network were $55 and came with data caps?

I’d be looking not at whether AT&T or Apple blocked the google voice app due to concerns over who’s got a bigger app presence, or whether AT&T interfered, but I’d look at the contract negotiations ongoing with Verizon, and clauses requireing apple to deny such services outright. I doubt AT&T caled up apple and said “reject this” and I doubt Apple is “holding the app” for study of how its replacing their core services (though if it’s doing somethign uder the covers by changing the phone number the decice responds to and how it sends MMS, that might really be a concern).

One more thing – I sincearly think Apple and others had been cought off guard a bit. They realice the power of letting the world contribute. However it’s not the first time this approach produces unexpected results. For their own sake I would hope they know how to take advantage of it. The topic here is on corporate strategy more than tech freedom. I think the smart move is to select your core and run. And to be honest – Google is a success, but their pace in organic innovation is slowing down. And their business models are to some extent in question. They soon want to do everything. Not focused anymore. Too greedy.

Apple is still pretty focused. If they stay focused they will prevail as the marketleader I see there. If they get too greedy they will loose. my view Apple is

Love Apple. Hate Apple. Love Google. Hate Google. Just Hate AT&T. Choose a position and defend it. Fine. But do we have to endure all the “high school” antics, too? You’re a FANBOY! You’re EVIL! Go back to WINMO! Geez, I think someone, here actually had a death wish for Steve Jobs…lame.

To the TOPIC: I was under the impression that the FCC initiated this investigation primarily to ascertain AT&T’s role in the rejection of Google Voice. I don’t think Apple is being asked anything other than to provide an explanation for the rejection(s) and explain the role of AT&T in this…is this correct?

Also, despite two additional generations, this is the first mobile phone from Apple. We aren’t talking about decades of experience in this arena. I had an expectation that the iPhone would be “green” for some time.

But…as far as Apple, the company; it has been in other markets long enough to know better…no excuses there.