After removing third party Google Voice apps (and lying to the public about it), Apple has finally cleared Google Voice for the iPhone giving iOS fans one less reason to be jealous of their Android friends.
Earlier this year we launched a Google Voice HTML5 web app for iPhone users. Today we’re taking the Google Voice experience on the iPhone to a whole new level with the launch of the official Google Voice for iPhone app.
With this native app, you’ll continue to have access to all the major Google Voice features on your iPhone[.] […]
Google Voice for iPhone is available to download from the Apple App Store today. You’ll need an iPhone with iOS 3.1 or later and a valid Google Voice account to use the app. At this time, Google Voice is available in the U.S. only. (Official Google Voice Blog)
While this is a victory for Google (and Google Voice fans everywhere), truth be told Apple needed to throw an olive branch towards Google as the company is facing the brutal reality that the world is moving towards Android and not iOS.
In order to remain competitive against rivals like Blackberry, Windows Phone 7 and Android (which Steve Jobs seems to show utter disdain towards), Apple is going to need every third party app at its disposal.
Excluding Google would only ensure iOS’s demise earlier as millions of users rely upon Google services for business, communication, etc. (especially in the realm of search).
While no one expects Google to port its famous Chrome browser upon the iPhone (due to Apple’s restrictions against Flash), we may see a future where Cupertino displays a friendlier attitude towards future Google apps (instead of a hostile one like in the past).
Originally posted on November 16, 2010 @ 4:27 pm