Apple Inc. executives on Friday denied accusations of outright rejection of a program called Google Voice for its popular iPhone, saying that it has only “temporarily” blocked the application due to complications to some functions of the device.
In a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Apple belied reports that it has rejected the Google Voice program for iPhone, adding that they are still studying it.
The questioning by the FCC was part of the bigger consumer practices implications to the wireless companies in the US.
Aside from Apple, Google Inc. and AT&T also receive the same letter from the FCC. AT&T was the only wireless carrier that has a tie-up with Apple for the exclusive sale of iPhone in the US.
Meanwhile, AT&T has already responded to the said letter, saying that the Apple Inc. did not discuss with them the move to turn down Google Voice.
On the other hand, Google refused to further detail the contents of its letter, which was believed to contain reasons by Apple on why it has closed down it voice program.
Google Voice works by allowing users to have additional phone numbers that has no tie-up to any phone lines. With the use of the application, users can now program the service to divert all incoming calls to a phone line at home, a cell phone, or an office number.
Aside from international calls, users can also send text messages and even send emails to other people at a very low rate. Google, and not the carriers, will get paid for the charges.
This now gave rose to rumors that Apple and AT&T blocked the application since it is a potential competitor to the monthly charges of the consumers’ phone bill.
But Apple denied any wrong doing saying that it is just stopping the use of the programs because it hinders or replaces the iPhone-developed interfaces for phone calls and text messaging.
Apple said that it has also temporarily blocked programs by other developers for the same reason.
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