Google Routes Around App Store On The iPhone... Others Can Too

from the app-store-or-the-web dept

Wed, Jan 27th 2010 1:33am — Mike Masnick

I was just recently suggesting that the massive focus on "apps" and "app stores" may be a red herring, as eventually many of those apps can be built via the web (especially as HTML 5 moves forward), without having to go through any kind of app store approval process. So it's worth noting that, in fact, Google has done exactly that with its Google Voice app for the iPhone (doing so because of problems getting a client-side app approved by Apple). While the app is still rough around the edges, it should be a reminder that there are ways around the app store, and web-based apps have plenty of potential.

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Filed Under: app store, apps, google voice, mobile
Companies: apple, google

36 Comments

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william (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 1:10am

I like where this is going, but why wouldn't Apple modify iPhone version of Safari to block out this if they wish to maintain monopoly?
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- Josh (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 5:42am
  
  Re:
  I don't think Apple will have any sort of problem with this at all. In fact I bet Steve Jobs is doing a little dance from hearing about this, going "I told you so"
  
  When the iPhone was first released Apple insisted that people would create web based applications for the phone, which is exactly what Google has done. It was only after a year of people complaining that Apple made the concession to allow 3rd party apps on the device at all. Then they go and complain about the approval processes while forgetting that if they really want their application made they could just make a web based version.
  
  "But then how would I get someone to pay 99 cents for my iFart application if it's just a website"
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 1:42pm
  
  Re: I like where this is going
  Apple is subject to US anti-trust laws.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 2:51am

Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
Hey, nice reporting on a 6 month old story. At one point in time, Mike Masnick was synonymous with "breaking story"

You're loosing your edge.
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- Dementia (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 3:18am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  Hmm, seems the date of the post he linked to is 1/26/2010 and the post states that Google made an announcement "today" which would be the same date as the article. The point wasn't that Google has Google Voice, but that they created a web based app to bypass Apple's app approval process. This would certainly to fit with the general timeliness of other Tech Dirt articles as it just occurred yesterday. Perhaps you should ensure comprehension of the entire article before criticizing his timeliness?
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  - Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 3:28am
    
    Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
    I read about this sometime last week from another source and somehow it's my problem that Mike's now getting around to it?
    
    Thanks, Dementia. Good name, by the way. I don't come here to comment to Mike, yet this is chalked up to some sort of "Reading Comprehension Problem".
    
    I just state the facts. Mike is behind the times. He should get a roll of stamps and just mail the stories in.
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    - DS, 27 Jan 2010 @ 3:44am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
      No, but it's your problem that you have to be 'that guy' and bitch about pointlessy stupid thing.
      
      I don't recall seeing ***BREAKING NEWS*** ***BREAKING NEWS*** at the top of the post.
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    - zaven (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:08am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
      Quiet AC, Google just released the Google Voice web app yesterday.
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    - Dalane K. Braunschweig (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:13am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
      LOL, I swear the same troll picks different things to lie about every article. There was no IP to try and hammer Mike about so he jumps on timeliness. No really Google has just released today a new and improved web app for Google Voice, they did however announce today's release yesterday. AC you are a genius, you even have me trying to correct you. LOL
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    - Dementia (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:14am
      
      Re: Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
      Glad you like my name, it's certainly better than Anonymous Coward, isn't it?
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      - Jess, 27 Jan 2010 @ 9:20am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
        Holy Crap! I was just reading this comment and one of my coworkers was in another conversation and just said "Dementia's fun, isn't it??"
        
        Sorry...Had to share that creepy moment :P
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:22am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  Cant always be on top of every story, every time
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- Not That Chris (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 5:19am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  Mike might want to be careful with that edge. If it gets too loose, he might accidentally lose it!
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- Rebel Rider, 27 Jan 2010 @ 7:07am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  AC, it's "losing" not "loosing" and while ur at it why didn't you mention ur with the RIAA/MPAA?
  
  go 'way
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- The Groove Tiger (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 7:55am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  C'mon, let's not all loose our heads over this.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 8:31am
    
    Re: Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
    Good thing my head is in nice and tight, would not want to 'loose' it or lose it.
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 8:32am
  
  Re: Was this story about Google Voice? Why Yes, it is!
  LOSING!
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 2:57am

Nice article
I like you and that was a great article. You have the boldness of a younger blogger.

Good luck with that alopecia problem of yours.
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Yeebok (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 3:36am

Lie much, AC ?
You say it's a 6 month old story, but even you, some faceless nobody who won't even enter their name .. saw it last week on an unnamed site, as proof that it's 6 months old. Dementia is right.. you'd need it to believe that. The linked-to site and story are reputable and dated yesterday, even for me way over here at GMT+11.
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zaven (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:11am

Problems with non-native apps
The only thing that doesn't work because this is not a native app is a lack of push notifications (i.e. no indication that you've received a new text or voicemail). Then again there's always workarounds like forwarding these things to Gmail, which supports push notifications for email.
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- Nastybutler77 (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 10:10am
  
  Re: Problems with non-native apps
  Another problem I have with web apps is if I'm traveling I'll have to either do without my apps, or pay the airlines and airports for WiFi access. That's if they even have WiFi on the flight, which most don't. Or if I'm out of a 3G coverage area (and as Verizon loves to show, is anywhere outside a major city) then a lot of these web apps will either be unusable, or take forever to load. That's not ideal.
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zenith (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:51am

I wasn't aware this was a "news" site, but a comment site.
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ScaredOfTheMan, 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:55am

He must be paid
I am convinced these "pro-IP" trolls are paid or something, they just showed up about 4 months ago, and they are here for every story. Always have something bad to say, trying to cut at Mike, maybe they are afraid

Now for this story, yse google voice for iphone was accessible via safari 6 months ago, however the new interface which was released (1 or 2 days ago) is the big story because it really feels like a native app.
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martyburns, 27 Jan 2010 @ 4:56am

Is it just me
or have there been more than the usual amount of snotty far-from-the-point comments of late?

Have these people already failed at their New Years resolutions and feel the need to take it out on Techdirt?

I never understand why these people even visit the site. I reckon that if you dont like it then don't bloody read/visit it.
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bwp (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 5:06am

I thought Mike would mention this instead of the Google Voice story
http://consumerist.com/2010/01/after-3-months-only-35-paying-customers-for-newspapers-web-site.html
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- Dark Helmet (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 6:54am
  
  Re: I thought Mike would mention this instead of the Google Voice story
  If you had a nifty insiders badge like me, you'd know that the countdown to that story has already begun or might even be expired by now...
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  - senshikaze (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 7:56am
    
    Re: Re: I thought Mike would mention this instead of the Google Voice story
    that is probably the coolest feature of the insider badge.
    
    also it is hilarious seeing my comments dated an hour before the post was "submitted." But im shallow and find amusement in that sort of thing.
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  - bwp (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 9:09am
    
    Re: Re: I thought Mike would mention this instead of the Google Voice story
    I could never be like you DH. That's like comparing me to Michael Jordon in basketball.
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    - Dark Helmet (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 9:56am
      
      Re: Re: Re: I thought Mike would mention this instead of the Google Voice story
      As a Chicagoan, that's one of the finest compliments I've ever received...
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 5:53am

blackra1n is a pretty decent web based app for iphone
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MCR, 27 Jan 2010 @ 6:33am

Why does Apple Care?
I really don't think Apple cares about people using the Google Voice app, especially if it's web-based. Apple makes exactly $0 off of AT&T phone plans. Their money is derived from product sales and a % of the data plan that iPhone users are forced to buy.

Even AT&T shouldn't be that upset, since people who purchase an iPhone are required to get a voice plan for 2 years. Also, as the exclusive iPhone carrier, AT&T can force someone to purchase a voice plan without any reprecussions.
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senshikaze (profile), 27 Jan 2010 @ 6:53am

you know what i find funny? before version 2.0 of the iphone OS, apple required developers to make webapps for the iphone. There was no "app store" or SDK then. All google is doing is doing what would have been if apple never released the SDK.
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Hoeppner, 27 Jan 2010 @ 7:35am

Really HTML 5, Really? HTML 5 is not coming out anytime soon and will have as many delays as Microsoft can cause. It is not in Microsoft's business plan to have to compete with web apps that don't care what operating system people use.
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 7:55am
  
  Re:
  That's the beauty of the standard. It doesn't rely on a single company, although MS can input into it.
  
  HTML 5 will be coming sooner than you think.
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Anonymous Coward, 27 Jan 2010 @ 9:29am

opposite of lo(o)ser
~looser = tighter (uptighter ? not really a compliment either)
-loser = gainer (does this make me look fat?)

loosen == what I do with my belt after a big meal so I can get comfortable
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Blah, 15 Feb 2010 @ 7:01pm

Why not just use the google voice app?
If your iphone is jailbroken or "Full featured" as I like to call it, then the google voice app is already available and fully functional right from Cydia or a number of other sources, pre-cracked version are even available that work over EDGE/3G without wifi or the need for the 3G unrestrictor app.

If your iphone is not jailbroken, then you are probably not tech savvy enough to be on the google voice bandwagon anyways.
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