An official Google Voice client appeared in the App Store in November, bringing most of the service's features to the iPhone, including free text messaging, voicemail transcription, and cheap international calls.
But the app's appearance also signals the end to a controversy stretching back more than a year. In July 2009, Apple removed all third-party Google Voice apps from the App Store, citing the potential for user confusion. That decision sparked a heated debate over Apple's App Store policies, eventually even prompting the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to get involved. In an August 2009 response to the FCC, Apple said that it had not actually rejected Google's own Voice client for the iPhone but was continuing to "study" the app.
Since then, the two tech firms' relationship has been equal parts veiled hostility and cooperation. Not long after the Google Voice fiasco, Google CEO Eric Schmidt left Apple's board, with Apple CEO Steve Jobs citing increased areas of competition between the two companies.
It wasn't until Apple published the App Store guidelines in September that it again began approving third-party Google Voice clients for the App Store, paving the way for Google's own client.
iOS Devices: Current LineupPRODUCT SPECS RATING PRICE DISPLAY (A)iPad 16GB Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, 9.7-inch ****; 3G, $499; 3G, color **** $629 32GB Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, 9.7-inch ****; 3G, $599; 3G, color **** $729 64GB Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, 9.7-inch ****; 3G, $699; 3G, color **** $829iPhone 3GS and 4 8GB (3GS) ****[1/2] $99 3.5-inch color 16GB (4) **** $199 3.5-inch color (Retina) 32GB (4) **** $299 3.5-inch color (Retina)iPod Touch 8GB ****[1/2] $229 3.5-inch color (Retina) 32GB ****[1/2] $299 3.5-inch color (Retina) 64GB ****[1/2] $399 3.5-inch color (Retina)PRODUCT SPECS PERFORMANCE FIND CODE (B)iPad 16GB Up to 10 hours on 6000 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours 6001 3G on 3G 32GB Up to 10 hours on 6002 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours 6003 3G on 3G 64GB Up to 10 hours on 6004 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi; up to 9 hours 6005 3G on 3GiPhone 3GS and 4 8GB (3GS) 9 hours of Wi-Fi 6255 Internet; 5 hours of 3G talk time 16GB (4) 10 hours of Wi-Fi 6256 Internet; 7 hours of 3G talk time 32GB (4) 10 hours of Wi-Fi 6257 Internet; 7 hours of 3G talk timeiPod Touch 8GB 40 hours of music 6553 playback; 7 hours of video playback 32GB 40 hours of music 6554 playback; 7 hours of video playback 64GB 40 hours of music 6555 playback; 7 hours of video playback(A) All prices are Apple's prices. (B) In a browser's address field,typing in a find code after macworld.com/takes you to a product'sreview or overview.
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