Google calls Apple a liar, says they did indeed reject the Voice App for the iPhone

Posted on 21-09-2009

The world of technology is abuzz as two of its biggest names – Google and Apple – are set for an intense showdown, possibly with lawyers in tow.

After the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decided to investigate Apple’s rejection of the Google Voice app for the iPhone, the Cupertino-based company had said: “Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience...”

Google’s response to the FCC’s questions had been kept quiet with redactions of portions that were sensitive to both companies – until now.

Google has now dropped the request for confidentiality “in the interest of transparency”. Translation: Stop messing with us, Apple!

The complete statement has been posted on the FCC Web site now and contains a very illuminating line from the search giant: “Apple representatives informed Google that the Google Voice application was rejected because Apple believed the application duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone.”

Note the word ‘rejected’. TechCrunch claims that this is just one of the two ‘nuclear bombs’ that Google has in their arsenal. The second, and potentially fatally damaging one, is a screenshot of the actual rejection notice via the iPhone developers admin with the formal rejection.

In response, Apple released a statement saying: “We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google.”

Clearly, one of the two companies is lying to the FCC and all signs indicate that it’s Apple in the fault. And when you lie in a government investigation, there is usually a heavy, heavy price to pay!

This one is nowhere near finished, folks, and it’s only going to get worse from here on. Do you see Apple fighting its way out of this one? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Sources: Google Public Policy (official statement), TechCrunch, AllThingsD, Silicon Alley Insider

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