Apple pulls plug on Google Voice apps for iPhone

Apple has removed a pair of third-party Google Voice applications from its App Store, additionally rejecting Google's own client. Google Voice effectively replaces a device's native dialer, offering consumers transcripts of their voicemail and archiving all text messages sent and received in addition to bargain-priced international calls and access to Goog-411 directory assistance--Google tells MacNN [1] that it submitted an official Google Voice client optimized for Apple's iPhone about six weeks ago, but the client did not pass the App Store approval process. However, Apple did approve a handful of third-party Google Voice-based applications which have been available for download for several months.

Well, no longer. TechCrunch reports that Apple will remove the popular GV Mobile application. "Richard Chipman from Apple just called--he told me they're removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc)," writes developer Sean Kovacs on his blog. "He didn't actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general. He wouldn't send a confirmation email either--too scared I would post it. I'll see what I can do to get it back up there." Apple has since yanked another Google Voice-based app, VoiceCentral, suggesting a storewide policy change--as of this writing, both GV Mobile and VoiceCentral remain posted in the App Store, but attempts to download either application results in an error message saying it is no longer available.

For more on the latest App Store controversy:
- read this TechCrunch article [2]

Related articles:
A history of rejected iPhone apps [3]
What is the App Store [4]'s true value?
Apple [5] issues iPhone OS 3.1 beta