Google Voice leaves iPhone out in the cold?

Google has released its mobile Voice application for the Android and BlackBerry platforms, but future release of the program on the iPhone will depend on acceptance from Apple and perhaps AT&T.

Google Voice

While iPhone users can currently access Google Voice from the Safari browser, what Android and BlackBerry users received Wednesday was a full-fledged independent application that allows users to make calls, send text messages and check voicemail through their separate Google-provided phone number.

Google would like to release an iPhone version of the application, and is “working with Apple” to do so, according to the New York Times.

One unique element Google is touting is the ability to make international calls at a reduced rate. It also allows for text messages to be sent and received for free through the number, also bypassing the cell phone carrier. Google Voice also transcribes voicemails and reads numbers from the smartphone’s phonebook.

These capabilities led Wired to speculate that AT&T and Apple could “cripple” a Google Voice iPhone application. It cites the fact that both companies have blocked video applications and forced Skype to nix a feature allowing free phone calls via the phone’s data plan.

Currently, the Google Voice service is available to users by invite only.

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2 Comments to “Google Voice leaves iPhone out in the cold?”

  1. on 18 Jul 2009 at 12:55 amBenji

    Slow news day? There’s nothing new in this information. A rather lame attempt to editorialize and regurgitate yesterdays news :(

  2. on 18 Jul 2009 at 1:02 amM.O.B.

    Use VoiceCentral for the meantime.

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