As you may recall, last summer Apple rejected Google’s iPhone application submission for their Voice product. They did the same with the Google Latitude app, but Google got around that with a web app.
Now, Google Voice is getting the same treatment with a brand spankin’ new web app. The app was developed for HTML5 compatible devices – which includes the iPhone as well as Palm’s platform.
The calls are still placed through the iPhone’s native dialer, but a local Google number is called first. This allows Google to keep the costs low. Google Voice is free with the exception of International calls which they offer at a super low price.
After rejecting Google Voice over the summer, Apple has approved an app for the competition. Ribbit’s new iPhone app is now available for download in the App Store on iTunes. The app is free, but you’ll need a Ribbit account to use the app.
Unlike Google Voice, Ribbit’s service is not free. It will cost you $30 a month. Otherwise, the service offered is the same: call management and voice mail which can be transcribed and searched.
If you use Google Voice, you have the opportunity to help Google transcription research. They’re asking for donations, and here’s how you can contribute.
When you’re reading a transcript of your voicemail (which is already a service of Google Voice, in case you weren’t aware), look for text in the lower right corner that says “Transcript Useful?” If you choose to rate the transcript, you’ll be asked if you wish to donate the message to Google’s research.
If you choose to do so, Google may listen to it and/or transcribe it, but they won’t share it publicly.
Google has acquired Gizmo5, a Voice over the Internet Protocol network and software provider. The acquisition is designed to enhance Google Voice, but it’s a game changer.
Google has been answering to the FCC lately about concerns over potential regulatory violations surrounding it’s Voice service. AT&T publicly complained that Google had been restricting high-priced calls that telecommunications were forced by regulation. Google defended Voice by saying it’s a call management system and not a true telecommunications provider.
In honor of Veterans Day, Google Voice has announced that it will be giving priority Google Voice invitations to military families associated with the organization Blue Star Families.
Over at the Google Voice blog, Jason Toff, Associate Product Marketing Manager explains:
Military families encounter unique challenges and frequent separations, so staying in touch is vitally important. With one Google Voice number, families won’t have to worry about missing calls from service members abroad.
In response to claims by ATT that Google Voice were blocking calls, unlike other regulated services that must allow the calls that local carriers chrage high prices for, Google “engineers have developed a tailored solution for restricting calls to specific numbers engaged in what some have called high-cost “traffic pumping” schemes, like adult chat and “free” conference call lines,” their Public Policy blog stated.
Bi-partisans from both the Republican and Democratic parties have also called for a probe into the restricted calls.
Google has provided additional information to the FCC’s regarding Google Voice. You might remember that Google already responded to FCC’s questions about Google Voice and why a mobile app for it was rejected for the iPhone.
This time, Google Voice is responding to concerns raised by AT&T about restricting calls to select area codes, something telecommunications carriers are prohibited by law from doing.
When signing up for Google Voice, you previously had to get a new phone number in order to get an account. Now, Google is allowing people to sign up with their current mobile phone numbers. You can still get a new phone number if you choose.
If you sign up with your current number, you’ll get:
- Online, searchable voicemail
- Free automated voicemail transcription
- Custom voicemail greetings for different callers
- Email and SMS notifications
- Low-priced international calling
There are limitations to choosing your existing phone number. You won’t get all the features. Here are the ones you can only get with a new Google number:
Recently, AT&T openly criticized Google for blocking calls on its Voice product. Long-distance carriers such as AT&T are prohibited by law from restricting calls to higher-cost areas. Google responded by saying that Voice is an internet-based application and therefore exempt from the law.
Now, a group of Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are asking FCC to investigate Google Voice’s call restrictions. The FCC is already probing the rejection of a Google Voice application for Apple’s iPhone, which is only available through AT&T. Thus far, Apple has informed the FCC that it has not officially rejected the Google Voice app, while Google has said that the app was indeed rejected by the powers that be in Cupertino. AT&T was not cited at fault by either party.
AT&T has written a letter to the FCC saying that Google Voice restricts high-priced calls, such as those to rural areas. In such areas, local carriers charge high fees to long distance carriers in order to place calls. The law requires long distance carriers to pay the fees, though the carriers originally wanted to simply block access to high-priced areas.
Enter Google Voice. They are restricting access to high-priced calls, and AT&T doesn’t like it. Thus, the aforementioned letter to the FCC. AT&T wants Google to be forced to connect the high-priced calls just like they are. AT&T also threw a jab, saying for as much as Google is lobbying for net neutrality, forcing carriers to provide access to the entire internet, they sure aren’t practicing that same philosophy when it comes to Google Voice.
