Who doesn’t know that Apple’s app approval process is not confusing. iPhone users and most importantly application developers are kept in the dark whenever an application or game is rejected. The company is also good at giving contentious justifications for the rejections we have known so far. Some are rejected outright while some are pulled after being deployed in the App Store.

Some of the reasons cited for rejection so far are; duplicating functionality, objectionable/inappropriate content, copyright infringement, offensive content, etc. The latest rejection of Google voice app also falls into the “duplicating features” group according to Apple, but the fact about the rejection is much more murkier and complicated.

Google Voice provides users free text messaging service and low cost international call option. These services deprive AT&T of making profit out of iPhone users, which in no way is good for the service provider. AT&T would logically try their best to ward off services that eats up its bandwidth and also that hinders them from making profit.

NetShare was rejected for the first reason and Google voice application got rejected for the second reason. To make matters more worst Apple also had pulled GV Mobile Google Voice app and VoiceCentral from the App Store. These applications provide the same services as Google Voice App was meant to bring to iPhone users.

Here is what Google spokesperson said about the rejection:
“We work hard to bring Google applications to a number of mobile platforms, including the iPhone. Apple did not approve the Google Voice application we submitted six weeks ago to the Apple App Store. We will continue to work to bring our services to iPhone users - for example, by taking advantage of advances in mobile browsers.”

It is simply logical to assume that the rejection of Google Voice app has AT&T influence, as there would be direct impact on AT&T’s revenue. However, it is hard to swallow why only iPhone users are left to bite the dust when other service providers have no grudge against Google Voice app and other smartphone users are actually using it.

Well, I’ll be waiting for Google Voice web application if that is the only way out. I know Google would do well with this one too as they have already mocked Apple by giving us the Google Latitude web app.

Via Gizmodo