Vonage promises iPhone app, hints at plans for additional smartphones

VoIP vendor Vonage has submitted an application to Apple's App Store and said it is working with Apple to get the application approved.

"As we've indicated, Vonage expects to enter the mobile applications market for smartphones," Vonage said in a statement. "We can confirm that one of our prospective applications is for the iPhone. They identified one issue stating that it is 'simple to fix.' The issue is cosmetic and relates to the labeling of an icon. We've made the requested change and resubmitted the application for approval earlier today."

In an interview early today with Tech Trader Daily, an Apple spokeswoman said Vonage submitted an application to the company's App Store, but warned that there were "technical issues" that needed to be resolved before it could be approved. The spokeswoman declined to provide details.

Vonage did not respond to questions about the functions and features of its iPhone application. However, based on the seemingly minor technical issues that need to be addressed, it is likely that Vonage's iPhone app doesn't run afoul of Apple and AT&T's ban on VoIP technology for the iPhone. In a recent response to an FCC inquiry into Google's Voice app for the iPhone, Apple acknowledged a provision in its iPhone agreement with carrier AT&T "that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T's cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T's permission."

That ban apparently does not include the iPhone's WiFi functions, which support VoIP applications from the likes of Skype and others. Presumably Vonage's iPhone app relies on WiFi for VoIP, if Voice over Internet Protocol technology is indeed used in the offering.

Since the introduction of its App Store, Apple has kept largely silent on its iPhone application submission process, a stance that likely in part prompted the FCC to launch an inquiry into Google's effort to get its Voice application approved for Apple's iPhone. Since the FCC inquiry, Apple representatives on a number of occasions have discussed the company's stance on various applications. Apple contends it is still reviewing Google's Voice app.

For more:
- see this Barron's article [1]
- see this Reuters article [2]
- see this Barron's article [3]

Related articles
Apple to FCC: We're still evaluating Google Voice app [4]
Vonage iPhone App submission sends stock soaring [5]
Apple faces FCC inquiry after yanking Google Voice apps [6]
A history of rejected iPhone apps [7]
What is the App Store [8]'s true value?

Article updated Aug. 26 with Vonage comments.