Why AT&T Killed iPhone Google Voice

ZuchinniOne writes "The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting article about the likely reasons that AT&T and Apple killed the Google Voice application. 'With Google Voice, you have one Google phone number that callers use to reach you, and you pick up whichever phone — office, home or cellular — rings. You can screen calls, listen in before answering, record calls, read transcripts of your voicemails, and do free conference calls. Domestic calls and texting are free, and international calls to Europe are two cents a minute. In other words, a unified voice system, something a real phone company should have offered years ago.'"

Comments

No.

[blhack]

AT&T killed google voice because the "Killer App" that the iPhone has (visual voicemail) is completely, totally, and utterly DESTROYED by it.

If you haven't used google voice, let me explain. Somebody leaves you a voicemail on your GV number. Google does voice recognition on it, and sends you an email of the text. In the email is a little widget that allows you to play the audio.

Apparently, the visual voice mail was a HUGELY expensive undertaking for AT&T. Having somebody offer *the* reason to get an iPhone for *free* is really, really scary to them.

Google offered a superior product for infinitely (as in divide by zero) cheaper. AT&T shat their pants, and blocked it.

Re:No.

[Culture20]

Having somebody offer *the* reason to get an iPhone for *free* is really, really scary to them.

Google can give me a sense of superiority and belonging to the "in" crowd for *free*?

Re:No.

[Enry]

AT&T killed google voice because the "Killer App" that the iPhone has (visual voicemail) is completely, totally, and utterly DESTROYED by it.

If you haven't used google voice, let me explain. Somebody leaves you a voicemail on your GV number. Google does voice recognition on it, and sends you an email of the text. In the email is a little widget that allows you to play the audio.

[...]

The voice recognition of GV is about as good as the handwriting recognition of the original Newton.

Here's what my brother actually said:

Hello, Happy Birthday my brother.

What GV said he said:

Hello, The bird say my brought their.

Fortunately, the audio was available, so I was able to easily hear what he said, but the other GV transcript I got from my wife wasn't much better (the drugstore CVS got turned into "we're going to see me yes").

Google Voice is nice, and I like using it, but don't think it's a miracle app.

AT&T denies it

[davebarnes]

AT&T told the FCC that they did not have it killed.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/21/att-to-fcc-we-did-not-block-the-google-voice-app-on-the-iphone/

Full List

[TejWC]

Here is a full list for the lazy:

• A single Google number for all user's phones.
• Free calls and SMS in the contiguous US and Canada.
• Calling International phone numbers for as low as 0.01 USD per minute.
• Call screening. Announce callers based on their number or by an automated identification request for blocked numbers.
• Listen in on someone recording a voicemail before taking a call.
• Block calls.
• Send, receive, and store SMS online.
• Answer an incoming call on any of your phones.
• Phone routing. Choose which phones should ring based on who calls.
• Forwarding phones.
• Voicemail transcripts. Read voicemails online.
• Listen to voicemail online or from a phone.
• Receive notifications of voicemails via email or SMS.
• Personalized greeting that vary greetings by caller.
• The ability to forward or download voicemails.
• Conference calling.
• Record calls and store them online.
• Switch phones during a call.
• View the web inbox from a mobile device/phone.
• Set preferences for contacts by group.
• Ability to change your number for a fee.

Re:Full List

[gstep]

Basically everything you ever wanted that everyone else has failed to provide at a reasonable cost...FOR FREE!

Re:Full List

[QuoteMstr]

...It is legitimate for AT&T to not want to deal with all the bandwidth that this app would use.

No, it's not, and preserving this kind of access is network neutrality's raison d'être. The nightmare scenario is a provider using its clout to hamper access to a company that happens to compete with another line of the provider's business. It is completely unacceptable. Neither Apple nor AT&T has the moral or legal right to use control over one product line to subdue a competitor in another.

AT&T had nothing to do with it, apparently

[Ignis Fatuusz]

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/ An unusual move for Apple, but apparently pretty straighforward.

Re:AT&T had nothing to do with it, apparently

[copponex]

Yes, Comrade!

Whenever I receive a communique from their headquarters, I know I can trust it fully without hesitation or rational thought process. This is the beauty of being inside the One, True Market, where no company has ever lied about their activities before.

Seriously though, if Microsoft released a similar statement, your bullshit detector would have exploded. I don't trust any PR from anyone. Do you think they don't have closed door conversations about destroying competition on an hourly basis? Do you think they're dumb enough to have them on the record?

Hm.

[grub]

FTA: What this episode really uncovers is that AT&T is dying

Awaiting confirmation from Netcraft.

.

Apple Admits It, Sort Of

[DannyO152]

And Apple said today it isn't killed, but still under review because it interferes with the iPhone interface. Here is their rationalization for their actions in what they claim is their response to the FCC.

My thanks to daringfireball and John Gruber for bringing this letter to my attention.

Apple Just Admitted To It - Now You Look Foolish

[Anonymous Coward]

Apple just admitted that it was them and not AT&T.

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/?sr=hotnews.rss

So much for all that crap you just wrote.

It will be funny to see all the Apple fanboys who were screaming "It was big bad AT&T and not my PRECIOUS Apple who was the bad guy!!!" and how their fanboy minds deal with this news.

Man, Apple couldn't possibly be blowing it more than they are. Google Voice is amazing.

AT&T is not really AT&T.

[Futurepower(R)]

It helps to understand that AT&T is actually the old SBC. The AT&T name was sold to SBC. My understanding from talking with former SBC customers is that the SBC trademark had little value because the company was so abusive. So, the SBC managers decided to use another name.

Those interested in how that happened can watch Stephen Colbert explain in a 1 minute 14 second video: The New AT&T. If that video is not available, try this one, but that requires watching a commercial.

Google Voice Is Incredible

[MediaStreams]

Apple blocking Google Voice makes buying an iPhone not even a possiblity now that I have had Google Voice for a month or so.

I know many of these features have existed in other products, but that doesn't change the fact that Google Voice has been as big a lifestyle change as getting TiVo for the first time 7 or 8 years ago.

* The voice mail transcripts are my favorite thing. Perfectly accurate so far. Love being able to read voice mails right from my computer

* Free SMS in a GMail like interface

* Everyone now has my Google Number and all my phones are unified behind that single number and I am now completely free to pick up and switch to a new cellphone as the flood of Android phones come out over the next year

Re:Google Voice Is Incredible

[NatasRevol]

What utter bullshit.

I've gotten professional calls from office workers that were very clear when listened to, but the transcription was so bad, I had to work at just trying to figure out what each sentence was saying.

Names were especially butchered and not at all consistent.

Even so, it is nice to get an email or text that you have a voicemail there. I'd just like the ability to turn on/off the transcription feature.

Re:Google Voice Is Incredible

[whoop]

Have you ever clicked on the link labeled "Settings" on the Google Voice page? Down there a ways is a checkbox with the words "Transcribe Voicemails" next to it. Remove the checkmark there, and then click the "Save Settings" button right below it.

Apple did the right thing.

[Anonymous Coward]

Shows what you know, Mr. Anonymous Coward! I don't usually respond to ACs, but I will anyway, Mr Anonymous smarty man!

I don't see anything that did wrong here. You see, Apple had some very good reaosns for what they did. It was an obvious move on their part to continually provide their superior service along with their superior products - it's worth paying what they charge because they're superior and they are cheaper in the long run. We all know that they offer the best overall value - that include TCO. Obviously, the deal with AT&T would have caused us Apple iPhone users some hardship and it would have cost us money. Considering this business decision I think it pretty obvious that Apple did it to protect their outstanding reputation, brand, their outstanding technology that no one else offers, and their customers.

You can post all the press releases you want and spin it to show that Apple is out to screw us fanboys over by gouging us for (mistakenly) commodity hardware in a pretty case - lies I tell you! That's just not so!

Whatever man! I have some great tunes that I need to transfer from my 17" MacBook Pro over to my iPod. I need to take a shower and put on a fresh black turtleneck and put on my Friday night arty glasses because I'm going out with my boys - there's a great show tonight with lots of show tunes. You're not going to wreck my mood!

Very suspicious...

[Azureflare]

Ok, this letter looks like doubletalk to me.

For example:

Are there any contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T that affected Apple's decision in this matter?

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple's decision-making process in this matter.

Okay, so Apple is saying that no contract with AT&T affected their decision to remove the Google Voice application from the iTunes Store. But wait, what do they say in the _next section_!?

There is a provision in Apple's agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T's cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T's permission.

WTF?

Then they go into "asscovering mode" by saying they don't know what VOIP is:

Apple does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application. Apple has approved numerous standard VoIP applications (such as Skype, Nimbuzz and iCall) for use over WiFi, but not over AT&T's 3G network.

Personally, I don't have a google voice account. From what I've read, google voice actually uses the normal phone system (so it still requires that you have a phone account). It's just a service.

IMO, Apple doesn't have a leg to stand on. The only argument they have is that it replaces "core functionality" of the iPhone. That argument is completely bogus too, because that is just preventing competition (and may be considered monopolistic behavior). Sure, that's not unusual for Apple. But I think now their position is different. They aren't the underdog in the smartphone industry, they are one of the top dogs. They can't just do whatever they want while ignoring existing anti-trust legislation.

Re:LOL! Where's Your God Now Apple Fanbois?

[gnupun]

Well, what the hell is Apple supposed to do? Allow its competitor to provide the key service of its product: phone calls? That's like Pepsi shipping Coke inside their bottles. Google should promote their service in their own product, not encroach into Apple's turf.

Why TRANSCRIPTION is Critical to Google

[centauratlas]

I haven't seen it discussed, but transcription is one of the most important features to Google and it is a large reason why they are willing to offer Google Voice for free. Why you ask? Training. Google voice's free transcription is a huge voice to text training database.

I have been using it since before it was Google Voice (e.g. grandcentral) and this was an important reason for Google to acquire it.

Google gets a LOT of value from every voice mail that comes in, is transcribed, and then is rated by users as to how useful it is.

Yes, it is good already, but not nearly perfect and they are working on it for one reason - voice search. And voice search is an up-coming Google killer-app that Bing/MSFT and Yahoo have no answer to.

(Neither does Apple, yet.)