Google Releases a Nuke, Apple Won’t Win This Fight

Well, something clearly broke down behind the scenes in the ongoing Apple/Google negotiations over Google Voice on the iPhone, because Google (GOOG) released one of two nukes it has been holding back. In a letter to the FCC today, Google disclosed previously unpublished information about Apple’s rejection of their Google Voice application.

There’s no longer any question – either Google or Apple (AAPL) is flat out lying to the FCC:

Apple: “Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.”

Google: “Apple representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone”

Our position is that Apple is the one full of it, which we stated way before this new information from Google. And it isn’t just he said/she said – Apple’s story doesn’t add up.

But Apple is standing firm, and even told the press that they haven’t rejected the Google Voice application, despite what Google says.

This doesn’t end here. As we’ve speculated, Apple will capitulate and accept the application with a few minor tweaks to save face. Because if they don’t we’ve heard Google has yet another nuke waiting on the sidelines – a screen shot of the actual rejection notice via the iPhone developers admin with the formal rejection. At that point, Apple will no longer be able to rely on nuances and misdirection. The FCC and everyone else will know that they lied in a government investigation.

We’re offering a free TechCrunch tshirt to any Google employee that forwards that screenshot to us. No questions asked.

Original post

Comments

[WHAB:]

Learn a bit more about Apple review process before claiming Apple is flat out lying to the FCC: lots of apps get "rejected" during the review process, but this does not mean that these apps will never be accepted once the developers revise them based on Apple's feedback. Hence, rejected apps in this review process are not necessarily forbidden apps... This is likely the reason why Apple can claim it continues to study Google's app. It's up to Google to comply with Apple's app requirements to get its app approved!

Sep 20 07:11 PM

[NDinMSP:]

Apple has the right to reject any app. They also have a history of reconsidering apps if the developer makes a few changes. This all fits within the current dialog and even a screen shot would not prove a lie. Google wants AT&T and Apple to provide the infrastructure and hardware for its own phone service. Losers who think everything should be free seem to side with Google.

Sep 20 08:33 PM

[Jon T:]

Apple has done nothing wrong in 'rejecting' Google Voice. Whether it was to consider the implications or otherwise.

No-one has built anything like the iPhone platform before, and there is no need for Apple to rush into accepting everything presented to it just to satisfy 'outraged tech bloggers', who mostly can't see their arses from their elbows...

Sep 21 08:51 AM

[martyg:]

an article written by a kindergarten dolt who offers a t-shirt for information. at least increase the offer to a "sham wow" that can be used for something besides a dust rag.

Sep 21 10:21 AM

[sleepy:]

Firstly, Google can, by definition, offer this as a web app. Mobile Safari supports local storage and the HTML5 goodness.

Secondly, it doesn't matter if Apple's process included a flat out rejection. Their openly published FCC plainly told Google and us that revision and resubmission (like any other developer) is what Apple expects, with some prospect of being successful.

Thirdly, this isn't a serious dispute between the two; it's artificial. They want to goad the regulator into swiftly diminishing the power to veto applications exercised by carriers and devolved to Apple by AT&T in the case of iPhone. If the regulator forces Apple to accept Google's app, that would be equally applicable to all carriers, and both Google and Apple are ready to jump in to voice services with both feet if that happens.

Sep 21 11:19 AM

[sleepy:]

Consider the possibility that Google knew perfectly well they could revise and resubmit despite the initial version having been rejected, but are playing to win acceptance of the app in its current form. That could be a reason to conflate a specific rejection with total rejection, and a reason to redact those parts of its letter to better catch Apple off guard with the FCC.

If Google can show they asked Apple "can we revise and resubmit", and Apple said "no, the app is unacceptable in any form", then yes, Apple lied. Otherwise, don't take it personally, it's just business.

Whatever you think is going on, sooner or later a stake will be driven through the heart of the mobile voice cartels, and both Google and Apple will be big winners when it happens.

Sep 21 11:41 AM

[Random Number:]

Why is this BS story by a poorly informed writer of interest or importance to investors? Why is it on Seeking Alpha?

Sep 22 07:59 AM

[Shaftsinker:]

Yeah, and while we're at it, who's to tell Microsoft what should and shouldn't be allowed to run on Windows?

All these third party software manufacturers want Microsoft and Dell and HP to do all the hard work in getting computers into people's homes and then reap the benefits.

Loser who want everything should be free actually believe they should have a right to use a media platform other than Windows Media Player.


On Sep 20 08:33 PM NDinMSP wrote:

> Apple has the right to reject any app. They also have a history of
> reconsidering apps if the developer makes a few changes. This all
> fits within the current dialog and even a screen shot would not prove
> a lie. Google wants AT&T and Apple to provide the infrastructure
> and hardware for its own phone service. Losers who think everything
> should be free seem to side with Google.

Sep 24 07:51 AM

[Zenfar:]

I like free as in freedom. I like INTC and PALM more than Apple at this point, but with accounting changes and other carriers Apple still has room to run as does MSFT.

Just my opinion. Oh and the things that companies say and do effects their stock price in a sane world, so article about what companies are doing should be ok, would like to see more of a focus on how this would effect the stocks...

Sep 24 01:19 PM