Apple, AT&T, and Google respond to the FCC

The three companies involved the debacle known as, the rejection of Google Voice for iPhone, have sent their statements to the FCC. I read them, and it's kind of a mixed bag... a long mixed bag. It seems that all the good stuff in Google's statement is redacted. This includes the bit about the reasons they were given for the rejection of GV. No one's really sure why yet. We may never know.

AT&T for its part said they didn't do it. Nope, no involvement whatsoever. And just why the hell are you even asking? They just want to sell phones, dammit. The straight talk:

"Let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store"

Okay... so maybe they actually didn't do it? Everyone on the internet thought they did. I'll admit they certainly had a better motive than Apple. Being disingenuous to reporters is one thing, but the FCC? Hopefully no one at AT&T is that dumb.

Apple sort of takes responsibility. The juicy part reads:

"The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone."

Of course, they say that it technically hasn't been rejected. So really, if the GV app didn't make calls, send SMS, or store voicemail Apple would be FINE with it. I'm sure Google will get right on that. Apple goes on to bitch about protecting their user experience some more. I have news for you Apple, the user experience has barely evolved in the 2 years the iPhone has existed. It could do with a little less protecting.

I still don't understand Apple's objection. It's like Google actually hurt their feelings by suggesting people might want to run the GV app to make calls and such. It's all pretty characteristically Apple. Do not, under any circumstances, fuck with their "revolutionary" interface or else. Apple apologists out there that wanted to absolve them of all wrongdoing in this case, need to step back and take a look around. Apple isn't the same company that asked you to "think different" back in the day.