There continues to be a ton of “Apple is evil” commentary, though much of it is the journalistic equivalent of retweeting. The Atlantic sums up the pro and con nicely. Even my “smoking gun” entry, below, got a record number of visits for this site.
The key question in all this for Google Voice users is: What will our alternatives be on the iPhone going forward? At the moment, with no apps at all, we’re almost cut off from the hottest phone out there. (While committed iPhone users are cut off from the hottest phone service out there.)
Things are looking up. Google Voice should release its revved-up version of the Google Voice mobile Web site soon. It probably won’t be as good as the BlackBerry app, let alone the Android one, but better than having nothing specific for the iPhone.
In the longer run, Apple, AT&T and Google all have to respond to the FTC by next Friday the 21st. This may eventually lead to Apple’s allowing one or more apps back onto the iPhone, semi-voluntarily (if they’re smart) or by a direct application of force majeure.
However, we’ll no doubt never have what I, for one, was hoping for before the Google Voice App Store rejection, and ejections, were announced: an iPhone with Google Voice as fully integrated as it is on Android today, and both improving together from there. Barring a merger of the two companies, we’ll probably never see the best phone, in so many ways, and the best app ever fully merged either.
Let’s take a look at the last few days of news for its direct impact on Google Voice.
Ars Technica: Google Voice and You: What It Is and How You Can Use It
Jacqui Cheng offers a strong potted history of Google Voice, AN introduction to the service and informed speculation on its future.
My take: This is the article to send around to friends who wonder just what Google Voice is all about.
PC Magazine: Google Improves Transcription in Google Voice
Google Voice transcriptions are said to be improved, even adding punctuation. This PC Magazine article points to their earlier full review that complains about this and the official Google blog post announcement.
My take: This kind of gradual improvement is something Google does rather well; we can only wait and see where it takes us.
PC Magazine: Google Voice (Android) review
PC Magazine again – for Android users, and those considering an Android phone, the iPhone turn-down, plus the excellent new Google Voice app for Android, adds up to a big plus for Android. PC Magazine gives Google Voice on Android a full review, four stars out of five and calls it a “must-download”. The review highlights the full integration of native and GV functions, with the slight exception of SMS (two different SMS inboxes). The app is compared favorably to the BlackBerry version.
My take: Ironically, frustration. Great to see Google Voice achieving its potential, but I want a keyboard phone to pair with my iPhone. (Partly so I can respond to voicemails by email.) The HTC Magic/MyTouch is all screen, and sorry, but no one’s going to outdo Apple, the App Store (even with restrictions) and the iPhone’s 6 square inches of screen on that. My pain should be relieved soon; with a dozen Android phones expected before Christmas, one of them just about has to be a very good phone with a very good keyboard.
Poynter Online: How Journalists Can Use Google Voice to Improve Their Reporting
Writer Etan Horowitz points out the advantages of Google Voice for journalists.
My take: I knew most of this from Chris Dannen (see next article), but it’s good to see it so intelligently articulated for the rest of the world – including those who aren’t journalists themselves, but may have some similar needs.
FastCompany: Is 3jam Better Than Google Voice?
Writer Chris Dannen (disclosure: my co-author on Google Voice For Dummies) reviews 3jam, a paid-for product that does much of what Google Voice does. Key points are that it’s great for SMS, has tech support and an API – all weak or missing in Google Voice.
My take: Great to see competition. Google Voice will only get better with it, and having an API for 3jam may lead to real innovation that influences the entire scene.
Geeksugar (“Geek is Chic”): Top 5 Reasons to Use Google Voice
This blog is part of OnSugar, which is kind of like an online teenage girls’ magazine. GeekSugar, which is for apparently for teenage girls with pocket protectors, takes on Google Voice. Photos (which look like publicity stills from Beverly Hills 90210) show the top 5 reasons for using GV: A phone number you’ll have forever – but other people won’t; It’s all online; Ring more than one phone; Best call screening ever; Custom greetings.
My take: This is one of dozens of articles “translating” Google Voice’s advantages to particular audiences; there will be many more. This is one of the best of its type, worth a look even if you aren’t a teenage girl with a pocket protector.
Business Week: Services That Eliminate Telephone Tag
Writer Arik Hesseldahl compares Google Voice and RingCentral, a somewhat Google Voice-like service that seems primarily aimed at small businesses. Hesseldahl sees GV as best for consumers. Importantly, he points out that now, with GV, he rarely misses an important call – and that the voicemail alerts and transcriptions help him recover quickly when he does. He also bigs up RingCentral for having phone number portability and many business-friendly features, as well as an iPhone app(!).
My take: I’m ecstatic to see this kind of comparison for a service like RingCentral that takes Google Voice features to the next level. This kind of thing is nothing but good for all of us, as users of current and future offerings.
“Apple is evil” (or not) quick takes:
- InfoWorld’s Tom Yager offers a compelling summary of just how much Google contributed to the iPhone – and how this boosted Google in the mobile business. Eerily reminiscent of Apple-Microsoft cooperation in the early days of the Mac. As in so many divorces, it may be the kids (that would be us) who suffer most.
- Apple has accepted a Gmail push app, perhaps in a sign of an App Store thaw.
- Jailbreaking is on the rise (from 7% to 8.4% of iPhones in a month, by one measure; that’s about one out of 12). Ethiopian Review gives 6 reasons to jailbreak your iPhone, listing Google Voice, 3G apps and tethering as the first three – not a bad little list!
- Jason Calacanis offers a much-discussed Case Against Apple on Silicon Alley Insider.
- Om Malik shares data that shows app development sharply rising on both iPhone and, even more so, on Android (from a much smaller base, of course). He opines that Android may wipe the floor with other competitors (Pre, Symbian) before doing much damage to Apple. (Malik is an iPhone ditcher too.)
- The Music Ally blog surveys Google’s own competitive dustups, concluding that it isn’t evil, but may well qualify as a bully.
- Apple’s Phil Schiller offers a human face for the company by commenting on a couple of rejections, defending some aspects of Apple’s decisions and promising to “listen and learn” going forward. (He doesn’t comment on the GV one, but perhaps he shouldn’t, with the FTC responses due soon.)
- And on a humorous note: Wired’s Lore Sjoberg is incensed about his own sad record of App Store rejections. Low-fat chicken breast recipe videos fronted by naked porn stars; Steve Jobs Strip Poker; direct connections to phone sex lines, all rejected! What can those evil monopolists at Infinite Loop be thinking?
