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"Based on Apple’s response, it seems my “devil’s advocate” hunch in my initial piece on this was pretty close to the mark: that it’s about Apple’s competitive r

by dcurtis 17y ago

"Based on Apple’s response, it seems my “devil’s advocate” hunch in my initial piece on this was pretty close to the mark: that it’s about Apple’s competitive relationship with Google. Put another way, Apple does not want to make it easy or seamless for iPhone users to use Google’s phone service." I usually like Gruber's writing, but this statement makes a huge jump that really has no basis. Apple spends many paragraphs of its letter explaining that they denied the app because it alters the user experience. I believe what they explained is a more likely cause than some conspiracy by Apple to upset Google's dominance of the phone service.

pyre 17y ago
But not really. The way that they describe it is misleading -- tending to lead the user to believe that Google's app was replacing parts of the UI. This is how the 'user experience' has changed with Google Voice: * People call your 'google voice' number rather than you cellphone's phone number * Calls to your google voice number are forwarded to your cellphone * Voicemails left at your Google Voice number are stored in your Google Voice account (rather than on your AT&T voicemail at your cellphone's number) The problem with Apple complaining about the 'changed user experience' is that people signing up for Google Voice and getting the Google Voice app are making a conscious choice to modify their user experience in such a way. It's not like joe-sixpack stumbles blindly into GoogleVoice by accidentally downloading the app from the AppStore.
- brisance 17y ago
  And then you have people who sued McDonalds successfully for not placing a warning label on a hot cup of coffee
  - pyre 17y ago
    I've yet to see someone sue a cellphone company because the phone's 'user experience' confused them, causing them to lose an important call...
- eli 17y ago
  Well also outgoing calls can (optionally) be routed through Google Voice. On my G1 with Google Voice, I have it set to ask me for each number I dial whether I want to use T-Mobile or Google Voice for the call. I think it is fair to say that it alters the user experience of one of the core features (i.e. dialing a number). I just don't think that should be grounds for rejecting an app.

by dcurtis 17y ago

pyre 17y ago

But not really. The way that they describe it is misleading -- tending to lead the user to believe that Google's app was replacing parts of the UI. This is how the 'user experience' has changed with Google Voice: * People call your 'google voice' number rather than you cellphone's phone number * Calls to your google voice number are forwarded to your cellphone * Voicemails left at your Google Voice number are stored in your Google Voice account (rather than on your AT&T voicemail at your cellphone's number) The problem with Apple complaining about the 'changed user experience' is that people signing up for Google Voice and getting the Google Voice app are making a conscious choice to modify their user experience in such a way. It's not like joe-sixpack stumbles blindly into GoogleVoice by accidentally downloading the app from the AppStore.

brisance 17y ago
And then you have people who sued McDonalds successfully for not placing a warning label on a hot cup of coffee
- pyre 17y ago
  I've yet to see someone sue a cellphone company because the phone's 'user experience' confused them, causing them to lose an important call...
eli 17y ago
Well also outgoing calls can (optionally) be routed through Google Voice. On my G1 with Google Voice, I have it set to ask me for each number I dial whether I want to use T-Mobile or Google Voice for the call. I think it is fair to say that it alters the user experience of one of the core features (i.e. dialing a number). I just don't think that should be grounds for rejecting an app.