Google Says Phil Schiller Rejected Google Voice, Google Latitude (Updated)
September 18, 2009
The Google Voice rejection saga has just gotten quite a bit juicier. According to Ars Technica, the FCC has just released an unredacted version of Google's response to the agencies' questions regarding the rejection of Google Voice and Google Latitude. The responses were initially redacted at Google's request due to the "sensitive nature of commercial discussion," but after several interested parties filed requests to get more information, Google just gave in and released them.
"Shortly afterward, several individuals and organizations submitted Freedom of Information Act requests with the FCC seeking access to this information," Whitt said. "While we could have asked the FCC to oppose those requests, in light of Apple's decision to make its own letter fully public and in the interest of transparency, we decided to drop our request for confidentiality."Google's now unredacted responses highlight conversations between Google's Senior VP of Engineering & Research, Alan Eustace, and Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, Phil Schiller regarding the rejections. In the letter, Google explains that the two parties had discussions in-person, via phone, and email regarding the approval of Google Latitude. On April 10th, Google claims that Phil Schiller personally rejected the app because it could "create user confusion" with the preloaded version of Google Maps. Google then describes that the two parties had more discussions, this time regarding Google Voice, and once again the app was personally rejected by Phil Schiller on July 7th because it "duplicated the core dialer functionality of the iPhone." Of course, Google didn't agree with the rejection, they argued that some of their other previously approved apps also duplicate features, including Google Earth and Google Mobile. Google's response contradicts Apple's initial response to the FCC. You may recall that Apple actually stated that the Google Voice app was never officially rejected, only that they were continuing to study it. So which is it Apple? Has it been rejected or should we just sit and wait for a final verdict? UPDATE: According to Silicon Valley Insider, Apple has issued this statement in response to today's developments:
“We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google.”Feel free to check out Google's full unredacted response to the FCC here.