In 2009, the fact that Apple didn’t approve Google’s official app for its Google Voice telephony service was one of the big tech stories of the summer. Since then, the tension between Apple and Google has only increased, but just a few weeks ago, Apple allowed a few unofficial Google Voice apps into its App Store and today, the official Google Voice for iPhone app is making its debut.
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Apple originally argued that the apps’ functionality was too similar to its own native phone app and could potentially confuse users. Apple never outright rejected the app, but it remained in limbo until today. Today’s approval comes slightly less as a surprise, though, given that Apple recently clarified its App Store rules and has generally relaxed its stringent requirements for similar apps.
The Google Voice app allows users to make cheap international calls from their iPhones and send free text messages to any U.S. number. Just like the HTML5 web app Google debuted earlier this year, you can also see your voicemail transcriptions in the app. In addition, the native app now allows for push notifications when you receive a new voicemail or text message.
The new app also features Google’s Direct Access Numbers, which make connecting calls through the company’s VoIP system just as fast as dialing directly from your phone. In earlier versions of Google Voice, the system would actually call you back and then connect the call after you picked up. Now, your phone will just call a central number and connect the call immediately. Sadly, though, these calls take you out of the Google Voice app and back into your native phone app.
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