Is anyone really surprised?

We know that AT&T and every other cell phone carrier overcharges for service, taking into account the sheer volume of users and how long cell phone technology has been around. Considering how much providing basic cell phone service costs, and how relatively inexpensive it is to add text messages and data support, it’s clear that companies like AT&T stand to make a pretty penny.

I mean, honestly; it costs an extra $20 a month for unlimited texting in addition to $30 a month for “unlimited” iPhone data usage. Really? Text messaging costs two-thirds the price of always-on, feature rich email? Emails that support video, audio and images; something iPhone users still aren’t getting because of a lack of MMS support. There’s just no way the pricing structure is based on the product.

Looking at the Big Picture

The WSJ report reveals that AT&T’s profit margin for its wireless services are considered high at 25%. It makes sense, considering many people likely pay extra for hefty plans (data, text, video, etc.), when the actual impact on AT&T’s network is marginal. Granted, sometimes coverage is spotty and “crowded” but the fact is, that’s not because we’re causing too much strain on the network, it’s because AT&T should be investing in making these networks more interoperable with others and capable of carrying more users, but is instead price gouging customers for increasingly horrible service.

Are they taking advantage of us? Yes. We know that. (Even David Pogue agrees with his “Take Back The Beep Campaign”) So why on earth would AT&T quietly stand aside and allow Google Voice, since it represents such a dramatic shift from the norm? Google knows that voice calls and text messages are very easy on bandwidth. AT&T knows that allowing Google to steal its profits marks the end of an era. Landlines gave and continue to give ground to cell phones, and customers are switching to VoIP services or other mediums like Twitter or Google Voice for communication. Cell service might be next on the chopping block, if something like Google Voice is allowed to take root and grow.

The Future

Can AT&T reinvent itsefl and survive? The economy is tough, so now is the perfect time to be daring and really focus on your customers. Or will AT&T continue to overcharge and stifle innovation like Google Voice and other services? I personally hope that we will move towards a better future where carriers will play nicer with each other, with other services, and with other emerging technologies. For example, wouldn’t it be great if when I was at home, my iPhone routed calls over my Wi-Fi connection instead of over the “crowded” network? It might alleviate some of AT&T’s service outages. Things like this are possible, but only in consumers wield their power and demand that carriers provide them.

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With invites going out every day and Google and Apple being in the news many times over because of the rejection of its native Google Voice app for the iPhone, many are giving this service a close look. If you’re a Mac or iPhone user, here are some tips that’ll help you get the most out of this service.

Unlocked Phone? Free calls!

Though officially iPhone users in the U.S. should be on the AT&T network, if you’re using another carrier, you may be able to use your Google Voice number to get around your monthly allotment of minutes. Some carriers, like T-Mobile, offer the ability to provide a list of “frequently” used numbers that do not impact the minutes allowed on a monthly plan. Since Google is footing the bill for connecting calls between a Google Voice number and any other number inside the U.S., simply adding your Google number to your “favorite list” results in free calls. It’s too bad AT&T doesn’t support this feature.

No GV Mobile? No problem!

The internets were in a tizzy last week over the removal of GV Mobile from Apple’s App Store, leaving iPhone users with Google’s mobile website to place calls. If you are one of few who have jailbroken your phone, you can find GV Mobile through Cydia. For more information, check out Sean Kovacs website.

If jailbreaking isn’t your bag, then no problem! The traditional way that Google Voice works is that you simply call your Google Voice number and then press “2.” From here, you can dial the outgoing call as normal. For those who frequently are calling contacts with their Google Voice number, here’s a quick way to simplify the process.

In your iPhone’s address book, you can add another number for a contact and format it so that your iPhone does all the dirty work of calling Google and connecting the call for you.

The process is simple. Create a new contact entry for your desired contact and for their number, insert your own Google number. Then press the “+*#” key and then the “pause” button to insert a pause. Now type a “2” followed by another “pause” and finally the desired phone number for the contact. Now you’ve told your iPhone to dial Google, initiate a new call and contact the number you’ve selected. Here’s how it should look:

Though dialing will take slightly longer, it’s all automated and the other person will see your Google number when their phone rings! Depending on your settings, you may also need to input your PIN number with appropriate pauses. Also, make sure your Google Voice account is setup to allow direct access to voicemail when calling from your phone. These options are all in your Google Voice settings.

Google Voice On Your Mac

If your browser of choice is Firefox, developer Chad Smith has developed a plugin that quickly allows users to click any phone number on the web and dial and connect via their Google Voice number. This free plugin is available here.

Are you a Google Voice user? Have you discovered other neat tips and tricks? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Sound off and share your thoughts!

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First it was just apps that gave users access to Google Voice features, but now it seems as though even an official app from Google, who have traditionally been very close with Apple, will not (for now) see the light of day. GV Mobile and Voice Central, two apps that allowed Google Voice users to access the service on their iPhone have been pulled from the App Store for duplicating functionality, and an official Google Voice app won’t see release at all for the same reason.

According to a Google spokesperson speaking to TechCrunch, Apple received the app submission from the internet search giant six weeks ago, and “did not approve the Google Voice application.” Apple has bandied about the feature duplication defense before, when they rejected Podcaster prior to releasing their own integrated podcast direct search and download section to the iPhone’s iTunes store.

Unless Apple somehow plans to introduce their own built-in Google Voice support in the near future, a scenario which I find highly unlikely, then this particular use of the feature duplication line is completely ridiculous. Google Voice isn’t actually duplicating anything, it’s only reducing AT&T’s ability to make money, which suggests that the wireless provider has much more control over Apple and their approval process than I previously suspected.

Through Google Voice, people can have one number for all of their phones, free long distance calling, and free text messaging. Two of these would obviously cut into AT&T’s bottom line, since users would no longer have to pay AT&T’s exorbitant service charges for messaging and cellular long distance. In fact, Google Voice customers could probably pare down to a bare minimum data plan and still retain all the functionality of their iPhone.

What makes Apple look particularly bad in this instance is that both BlackBerry and Android already have Google Voice apps available in their own app marketplaces, which, if Voice continues to grow, and expands beyond the U.S., could begin to have a serious effect on which device consumers invest in.

GV Mobile apparently received Phil Schiller’s personal seal of approval, so you know someone else is pulling the strings at Apple HQ to get these apps pulled. My question is, what threat does AT&T have that could force Apple to comply? An end to AT&T exclusivity would seem only to harm the company, not benefit it. There’s something to be said for not making your friends angry, sure, but there’s also no way you should let your friends direct internal policy. Maybe Apple should become an MVNO?

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By converting your voice messages into text e-mails, Quick Voice Pro could be a time-saving boon for busy iPhone owners.

Empowered by our emails, tweets, IM conversations, and blogs, we’ve become modern-day information conduits. We collect knowledge, then discharge it into the ether, spurting out a constant fountain of fact, fiction and entertainment.

Quick Voice Pro is a new tool that could make sharing your thoughts even easier. The app converts audio recordings into text-based e-mails, using an online voice-recognition system.

Learning To Talk

If there’s a thought on the tip of your tongue, Quick Voice Pro immediately accommodates: The app loads up in a snap and is ready to record from the off. You’re able to open the software, blurt out whatever is on your mind, and get it converted, all in a short amount of time.

The layout of the app is incredibly simple, too, meaning there’s no possibility of friction with the interface. All the different functions are presented on one page; plus, there’s no settings screen and absolutely no configuration needed for first-time users.

While the tech-savvy may be impressed with the app’s advanced voice-recognition capabilities, Quick Voice Pro really seems to have been designed with novice users in mind, offering a big red record button and a large play button. And it doesn’t feel patronizing, either. The app simply incorporates well-considered, functional design.

It’s not all perfect, though. Recordings are all named MyRecording by default, which will make sifting through them a real chore for regular users. There is a button for renaming recordings, but it just doesn’t feel as intuitive as it could in comparison to the rest of the app.

Speaking of Email

Tapping the record button initiates record mode. Although you can’t go back and edit a recording once you’ve saved it, there is a pause button, letting pensive people stop for a moment and gather their thoughts before continuing.

Once recorded and saved, the app can auto-generate an e-mail for you, leaving you to enter the from and to address. The body copy of the email will be your recorded message. The actual voice-to-text conversion doesn’t happen on the iPhone; it’s all handled server-side. There was a major issue that stood out with the emailing process: The subject line always reads, “You Have QuickVoice Mail!” There’s no way to change it, and so effectively, you’re sending your contacts a message headed with an advertisement for the app.

Speaking Aloud

UK-based startup Spinvox provides the voice-to-text recognition and conversion. It’s incredibly accurate, which was surprising, and of note was that it’s comfortable with long words and both American and English accents.

To test the app, I made up a nonsensical sentence with a few long, potentially clumsy-sounding words thrown in:

“Rebellious, insidious individuals, find it highly probably that they will be libelous for their erroneous actions.”

This was then converted to the following:

“Rebelious(?) insidious individuals, find it highly probable that they will be libelous for the erroneous actions.”

Voice to text email brought to you by QuickVoice.

Note the question marks on words the software is unsure of. It’s a nice touch, clarifying that it has taken a chance and may be incorrect.

Summing Up

During testing, I found that messages take around 10 minutes to convert and arrive in the recipient’s mail box. Considering the impressive degree of accuracy, this is an acceptable amount of time.

On the flip side, there’s a 30-second limit to all recordings — this can wind up being a drag if you’ve got a lot to say, however, it’s understandable. SpinVox probably doesn’t want people clogging up its server, trying to convert entire hour-long presentations.

The only substantial problem is that, since this isn’t a free app, it doesn’t seem fair that paying users are responsible for spreading advertising it via email subject lines. And, just in case your contacts didn’t notice the branded subject, the message text always ends with, “Voice to text email brought to you by QuickVoice.”

The voice-to-text conversion works, however, I would hesitate to send any emails that contain such clear advertising for a product that, while effective, sees its users as billboards rather than valued customers.

This could have been a Silver TheAppleBlog Award, but, due to its uncalled-for product placement, Quick Voice Pro earns a Bronze.

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According to recent findings reported by Ars Technica, upcoming iPhone software will likely support voice recognition and feedback. So not only will you be able to talk to your phone, but it will talk back to you, probably via something along the same lines as the new iPod Shuffle’s VoiceOver features. The new voice software goes by the codename “Jibbler.”

What is clear is that the Jibbler tech is tied to the springboard, and appears to involve a call-and-response set of functions that will let you issue short commands to the iPhone that produce feedback in return. I can’t imagine doing so in anything other than my terrific Patrick Stewart impression voice.

Expect voice features with the iPhone to go above and beyond the function we’ve seen from other phones, or from third-party apps so far. Hopefully we’ll at least see Maps and Address Book integration, though with the introduction of Spotlight in iPhone OS 3.0, we might also see the entire phone become voice-searchable.

I’m just hoping these features aren’t limited to the new version of the iPhone coming in June, even though I’ll probably cave and upgrade the week after its release anyway.

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Last week I wrote a piece detailing Google’s new voice searching functionality for the iPhone, and at the time sources predicted a Friday launch. Well, it didn’t come Friday, but it’s finally here, and based on early impressions, it’s an impressive piece of software.

I downloaded the updated application late last night. Being a chronic mumbler, I wasn’t expecting much out of Google’s speech recognition tech. Saying the word “elephant” as I normally would, without taking extra care to enunciate, I fully expected to be greeted with search results for “ill F-1′s” or something equally garbled. The app had no problem deciphering my garbled request, however, and returned the correct results. Time for something more complicated.

This time I wanted to see if the much-talked-about semantic search capabilities actually worked, so I asked my iPhone some questions like “Where is the closest sushi place?”. Again, though I was prepared to be let down, I wasn’t. After the top result, which was a general info sushi page, local results near Toronto, ON (which is in fact where I live) were displayed, complete with contact numbers and links to get directions. Voice search is not limited to web results, either. You can say someone’s name to bring up that person’s contact entry from the Address Book.

As with any voice recognition tech, there are a few issues. I found that the app didn’t deal well with background noise, and acted up sometimes when the television was on in the background, even at mid- to low-volume. Also, when using longer sentences, I found that I did have to artificially heighten my enunciation, rather than using my normal speaking voice. Overall, errors were minor and did not really inhibit my usage.

The update brings other changes as well. More Google App links are available via the apps button at the bottom of the screen, where a new 3-button navigation menu is located. Settings are available in the app, and you can set your domain on this screen to include your own, domain-specific Google Apps in the Apps list.

With or without voice search, this is definitely a must-have for iPhone owners. Get it free in the App Store.

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The source of the information is New York Times’ tech reporter John Markoff, who posts images of Google employees Vic Gundotra and Gummi Hafsteinsson posing with and using an iPhone running the new application. Users of the new app will be able to speak search terms, ask for directions using Google Local search, ask for restaurant recommendations based on reviews and proximity, and potentially do much more in future versions. Simple Google search functions like mathematical calculations are likely candidates for future implementations.

The technology behind the app is based on Google’s GOOG-411 service, an automated directory information product officially launched in March. It also incorporates accelerometer support to let the app know when the iPhone is being raised to the user’s face, based on the device’s speed and angle of tilt. According to Markoff, the engineers behind the app wouldn’t comment on its degree of accuracy, preferring instead to state simply that it will suffice for most users’ needs.

Today’s news flies in the face of earlier reports that Apple is planning to develop their own search engine tech because of a perceived rift growing between the two tech giants, since the voice-enabled software is making its debut on the iPhone, and not the Android-toting HTC G1.

Expect to see the new/updated application in the App Store as early as today.

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This week we’re looking at Google Earth, Mobile Files, Say Who and Cyber Chess Ultimate Online Chess.

Google Earth (free) – Is there nothing our humble iPhone’s aren’t capable of? Apparently not, as Google have upped the game once more by shrinking down the awe-inspiring Google Earth on to our pocket-size Apple devices. It’s not necessarily a replacement for the excellent GPS-fuelled Maps app, but Google Earth is impressive nonetheless and a useful tool to compliment every iPhone owner’s globe-trotting adventures.

Mobile Files ($4.99) – While there are already several wireless storage solutions for the iPhone (including the feature-rich and totally free Discover), there are very few applications that allow you to access your iDisk. Mobile Files gives you access to your Mobile Me iDisk, allowing you to mount multiple iDisks and even view files (such as images, office documents and music) while you’re on the move. It’s worth noting that this is the only free solution available from the App Store at present.

Say Who – Dialer (free) – There are some who believe that the iPhone — for all the wonders that it does offer — is missing a few essential features. One of the additions that has been called for is voice-dialing and, in lieu of an official solution from Apple, Excuse Me Services have stepped up to the plate and created Say Who – Dialer. The app supports a range of voice-dialing methods, from simply saying a name, to actually stating the number you’d like to call.

Cyber Chess Ultimate Online Chess ($1.99) – Setting aside the game’s overly specific name, this is actually a seriously robust chess game. It’s really the complete package with great graphics, solid AI and support for FICS which means 300,000 registered players via FreeChess.org. For the price, it’s represents great value both for beginners and experienced players of this wonderful game.

And while we’ve managed to point out a few particularly special additions to the App Store, as always, there’s a little bit of time left to wax lyrical about something we might have missed from a few weeks back. Japanese clothing company, UNIQLO, commissioned creative agency Projector to create a promotional campaign for them and the result was the UNIQLOCK.

You can check out the UNIQLOCK online, install Facebook widgets and do all that stuff, but it really seems to come in to its own on the iPhone. It’s like carrying around a piece of performance art in your pocket and it’s just great, fusing catchy electro lounge jazz with synchronized dancing and a big clock. The app is free, so if you’re feeling a little avant go grab it now!

That’s all for another seven days, we’ll have another App Store roundup for you next Saturday, in the meantime, drop by the comments and tell us what apps you’ve been toying with this week.

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Windows has developed what they feel is the next generation of computing, the tablet PC. We’ve seen Bill Gates strongly advocate the tablet as the true “next generation” platform for computing. But I disagree, and here’s why.

Handwriting schmandwriting

I still argue that writing recognition on a tablet isn’t close enough to paper writing. I’ve used a HP Pavillion tx series tablet and what I’ve found is an intuitive hand writing recognition application. I think anything that can translate my handwriting into text is worth appreciating, but it still doesn’t replace the feel and use of paper. I think mainly because it still transforms my writing into text alone. Why not just type then, I’m faster at it anyways?

I know with the Wacom Tablet (PC/Mac) you can maintain your actual handwriting but again the experience takes time getting used to, and is still confined by the limitations of its own application. I know there are people who live by their Wacom tablet as if they were extensions of themselves, for lectures and daily navigating, but I think if we break down the need, we can create a more intuitive system of input.

What we’re looking for

• Get the same feel and ability as writing with paper
• Archive previous analog/written material digitally
• Go paperless

That’s where the fundamental error is. We’re looking to replace paper when sometimes all we need is just paper. The problem with most companies trying to innovate is either they stick to mainstream ideas to ensure profit, or try to reinvent the wheel to no success.

If you want the feel and ability of paper, you use paper. If you want to archive your previous work, you scan and tag it. You want to go paperless, you utilize as many web resources as possible, whether its Google Docs, Remember the Milk or others, you switch from analog systems to digital ones.

Why change a good thing? There’s still many inherent values in using analog systems. Whether it’s note taking or task management, as GTD (getting things done) experts may feel, just getting things out of your head by writing them down just works. Sometimes there’s beauty in chaos.

What we should be looking for

• Ability to quickly transcribe information
• Ability to quickly sort, tag, or peruse vast archives
• Quickly manipulate, edit material
• Flexible data portability and sharing

Just as I type faster than I write, I speak faster than I type. And the only thing I can do faster than speak, is think. It would seem, naturally, the next computing platform would be text and gesture based. I see Apple developing both far more heavily than handwriting recognition.

Let’s run with the lecture analogy for a bit. Instead of taking notes by physically writing on either paper or tablet, why not sit back and relax? Have the lecture recorded while simultaneously transcribed to text for you to scan through later. Maybe one day it’ll recognize the speaker and auto tag it for the right lecture, or just tag keywords it recognizes. Now combine that with a simple gesture intuitive application for quick editing or search-ability. Add your own thoughts to whatever transcribed piece your going through and move on or simply re-listen to it completely.

Current development

Technology is getting far more adept to adaptive speech learning. Everything from voicemail to everyday gadgets are getting voice commands.

Did you know if you enable Speech in OS X you can ask it to tell you a joke? The speech bubble works well for basic tasks, opening an application, saving a document, etc. I imagine it one day being as useful and efficient as Quicksilver currently is. For a list of current commands check out the Speakable Items folder accessible from your Speeches Preference Pane.

Other speech to text resources:

• Jott – Call a number and leave yourself a voice message. Jott will transcribe it and email it to you or a contact of your choice. They are working to add features like adding items from Amazon, etc.
• Goog 411 – Free 411, get maps, directions and more.
• Voice commands in cars – Navigation systems can come with some form of voice command ability now. I know in higher end cars, you can control most functions by voice alone (e.g. raise the temperature, lower the volume, etc.)
• Voicemail transcriptions (similar to Jott, I know some companies are relying on services that record voicemail’s and transcribe them into text)
• Doctor’s dictations – Avoid the hassle of hand writing everything and simply text to speech on a case by case basic.

Why this works well for portability

While the idea of voice can get us pretty far, there are still some places you can’t rely on voice to text. Your local library is probably the best example. If you rely on using input methods for notes or written material, and you don’t want to use paper, well I don’t really have any ideas. I’m assuming as we become more digital, we’ll be able to manage our books just as we manage our Wiki’s. Again taking away from the analog or physical mentality, and being able to archive vast amounts of material digitally.

Voice to text works great for text messages in the car, why not let that become more widespread. Computing for us (Gen Y) is exponentially easier. We type faster, we learn quicker, and we adapt fast. I see Apple implementing a series of voice and gesture capabilities across their lines. Of which we see the early onset within the iPhone and new MacBook Pro Touchpad.

It’s all in the voice

We can learn to compute even quicker with more intuitive systems that revolve around our most basic abilities. The things we learn from birth, the ways our bodies naturally function. We learn to walk, we learn to talk, and then as we become further educated we write. Paper works just fine, don’t create a solution to a problem we don’t have. Instead harness what we already know and do everyday, speak.

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