Comments on: Who Is to Blame for the Google Voice Apps Fiasco?

By: Google and Apple Debate the Meaning of “Rejected”

Google and Apple Debate the Meaning of “Rejected” — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:17:30 +0000

[...] and moves contacts to Google’s servers. But is that what’s really bothering Apple? Om Malik offered another opinion way back when people were blaming AT&T for the not-rejection of Google [...]

By: Google and Apple Debate the Meaning of “Rejected”

Google and Apple Debate the Meaning of “Rejected” — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:01:13 +0000

By: App Stores, Mobile Data & the Dumb Pipe Threat

App Stores, Mobile Data & the Dumb Pipe Threat — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:01:36 +0000

[...] It still seems like some network operators are having a hard time accepting that, though. How far have they come in changing their thinking regarding non-cellular [...]

By: Apple Pulled Google Voice App, Not AT&T

Apple Pulled Google Voice App, Not AT&T — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:57:02 +0000

[...] app from the App Store, and now it’s been proven right. Om actually believed AT&T, and argued that the removal was because of a brewing rivalry between Google and Apple. As for the rest of the letters, we’ve included links to PDF copies below for those of you [...]

By: Bob B

Bob B — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:25:42 +0000

I am a techno retard but once I found out how easy it is to jailbreak and iPhone and get the GV app, I did it. All Apple and AT&T have accomplished is to encourage thousands if not millions of those who had never even considered it to jailbreak their iPhone.

By: The GigaOM Interview: FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski on Mobile, Broadband, iPhone & Innovation | www.wi-fi-zones.com

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:04:37 +0000

[...] last week, a day before the Federal Communications Commission started to investigate the Google Voice App fiasco, I spoke with the new FCC chairman, Julius Genachowski. He managed to carve out a few minutes from [...]

By: The GigaOM Interview: FCC Chair Julius Genachowski

The GigaOM Interview: FCC Chair Julius Genachowski — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:02:18 +0000

[...] Late last week, a day before the Federal Communications Commission started to investigate the Google Voice App fiasco, I spoke with the new FCC chairman, Julius Genachowski. He managed to carve out a few minutes from [...]

By: The Google Apps Fiasco: Now That FCC is Involved, Maybe Truth Will Come Out

The Google Apps Fiasco: Now That FCC is Involved, Maybe Truth Will Come Out — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:42:25 +0000

[...] most folks folks have blamed AT&T, I have maintained that this is a battle between Google and Apple. AT&T is just the punching bag. I feared that unless they came clean, they were only going to [...]

By: Janko Roettgers

Janko Roettgers — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:18:02 +0000

Wait, the rev share deal was nixed last month? Uhm, nevermind. :)

By: Janko Roettgers

Janko Roettgers — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:54:45 +0000

Om, it’s funny that Arrington used your Google voice as a phone company argument against you, but this goes both ways. Apple ‘s rev share iPhone deal with AT&T is a cash cow for Cupertino, and it’s based on the idea of having the iPhone exclusively on one carrier. Now imagine how that deal looks to AT&T if Google suddenly emerges as a second, stealth phone company on the same device …

Having the ability to block competition on its own device gives Apple much more leverage in future negotiations with phone companies. It’s not even about GV or what impact it may or may not have on SMS or voice revenues. It’s about the fact that Apple can always point to this and say: Sing up with us, give us a part of the data revenue, and you’re gonna have a true exclusive on this device.

By: EC

EC — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:49:23 +0000

What are the chances that consumer backlash will be able to turn the tide against Apple or AT&T and get them to reverse this decision?

I love Google Voice as my job requires that I use multiple phones. I see prior comments pointing out that you can’t get everything for free. I could care less that it saves me money on sending SMS messages and I would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for Google Voice simply because it makes my life so much easier.

By: Jason Devitt

Jason Devitt — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:19:07 +0000

HSK,

Not necessarily. I have an unlimited data plan and use a third-party email client. My email does not go through RIM’s servers.

But even if it did, how would that give RIM the power to delete Google Voice from my Blackberry?

Jason

By: HSK

HSK — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:58:49 +0000

Keep trying to figure out why everyone thinks it is some sort of RIGHT to have everything free – or virtually free. Hate Apple and ATT all you want – but they exist to make money for themselves and their shareholders. If you don’t like it, go get a free Google cell phone that offers free calling and data nationwide. Oops, that does not exist……

By: HSK

HSK — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:47:53 +0000

Jason,

If you are using email on a Blackberry (and not BES with a company), it is going through RIM’s servers – no matter what carrier. On the iPhone (as with all other smartphones except RIM), you are connected directly to the provider (well, directly via the carrier’s network).

By: Libran Lover

Libran Lover — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:18:59 +0000

Blackberry users were downloading and installing apps from all over the Internet long before iPhone was even announced to the world. The concept of a closed, tightly-controlled, single-place app store with a gatekeeper is what is so ingrained in the iPhone ethos.

Sounds like Mr Golson needs even his comments to be proof-read and fact-checked by Gigaom staff.

By: Jay Ray

Jay Ray — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:43:35 +0000

Om,
Is it possible that this is Apple’s way of making AT&T look bad enough to the point of, by legal means, getting out of the exclusivity contract early? AT&T has to be feeling the pressure of this issue and has to want to say something about it if not to simply say, “Screw it!” What do you think?