Why Apple Approved Opera And Not Google Voice

Ryan,
I've asked my colleagues who deal with Apple if they knew why Opera was approved while Google Voice was rejected.
I've discovered that some of the higher-ups at AT&T did have a high amount of influence on the two applications being accepted and rejected.
AT&T decided to reject Google Voice due to the fact that users would have no reason to keep their texting plan since they would be able to send/receive all their text messages through the Google Voice app which would make use of their data plan. This would cost AT&T to lose $20/month per user who got rid of their texting plan.
Opera Mini, on the other hand, compresses web pages before they are sent to the device as a way to speed up their web browsing experience on slower networks (EDGE). Because Opera compresses the web page before it is sent to the device, it results in less data transfer on the device. This would result in AT&T saving money by charging users the same amount every month for using less data.
I hope this has cleared some things up.

Anonymous

Ever since Opera for the iPhone was released, I asked myself over and over, why did Apple approve Opera and not Google Voice?

Well today, I finally got my answer. The above statement was emailed to me from a friend and employee who works for AT&T.

So there you have it. AT&T has blocked Google Voice from the app store because it would cause them to lose money, and accepted Opera because it would save them money.

April 19, 2010 Programming, Technology 20 Comments

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http://www.ryankearney.com/ Ryan Kearney

But does it let you send text messages that originate from your phone number?
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Deyan

What a load of bull. There are 3 or 4 free texting apps that use the internet and are unlimited, at a low initial price. And one, TextPlus is entirely free and ad-supported. They have saved me on my iPod from high texting costs. So saying that Google Voice would hurt them, but allowing these apps through, is complete competitive discrimination.
http://TheNarwhal.net Andrew

The amount of android devices on their network is tiny compared to the amount of iPhone users. They're not scared of them.
http://www.thelawlife.com Dave

I support AT&T on this one. I mean it's SO expensive for them to provide text messages. If only they simply used a channel to send the messages that they already needed to send and receive calls. Then they could make a fortune by charging people for each incoming and outgoing message but it would cost them virtually nothing!

Wait. What? Really? Oh. Nevermind.
Sean

If so, then Apple lied too, since they also told the FCC that AT&T wasn't involved.
http://twitter.com/JoshPatton Josh Patton

Not much hard proof to be seen here.
http://www.ryankearney.com/ Ryan Kearney

I highly doubt they could get away with blocking a device from their network. Pretty sure that's considered anti-competitive practices.

It's because Apple and AT&T have such a close relationship with the iPhone that they're able to get away with it.
Tad Fisher

Then why do they allow Android phones on their network? GV is integrated into these devices and they can also send free SMS messages.
http://savocado.tumblr.com/ savocado

Well you'll have to prove that, the burden's on you.
http://savocado.tumblr.com/ savocado

Cool story bro, but AFAIK AT&T doesn't influence the app approval process.
http://www.ryankearney.com/ Ryan Kearney

Maybe because they lied?
Sean

Not true at all. Look at AT&T's response to the FCC inquiry. They were not involved in the rejection at all. It was all Apple.
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http://twitter.com/BarryCarlyon Barry Carlyon

What shite.

I know I live in the UK, but to block an app like that seems ridiculous.

I don't think allowing Google Voice would stop people using AT&T txts.
As you can txt from Skype or go online (txt sending websites) to txt.

AT&T has underestimated people, I doubt normal everyday users would launch google voice just to txt.
brucewagner

Of course, we all knew this. But thanks for the proof. Apple and AT&T have been in bed together to rip off the consumer from the beginning.
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