The iPhone App Store Approval Process Makes Less Sense Every Day

Those of you who read my blog or follow me on Twitter know by now that I use Google Voice and am frustrated by Apples rejection of the Google Voice App for the iPhone. In their response to the FCC inquiry on the matter Apple states

The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.

Today Vonage announced the availability of Apps for their service for Blackberry, iPhone and iTouch devices.

The iPhone and iPod touch downloads will allow users to make unlimited Vonage Mobile calls in the U.S. over Wi-Fi without using up cell phone minutes. The BlackBerry and iPhone app also run on your existing cellular network, which will eat up minutes.

I checked the App Store, and indeed the Vonage application is available for download.   Vonage Application iTunes link So I ask you to explain to me how a Google Voice app would “alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality” but using Vonage to make calls from an iPhone does not! Vonage Unveils iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry Apps

One Response to The iPhone App Store Approval Process Makes Less Sense Every Day
  1. Chris Whisonant
    December 23, 2009 | 10:01 am

    What’s even more ironic is how much Google and iPhone have been integrated with Maps and YouTube being installed with the OS. Too funny – and Vonage is still available.