Apple Approves Google’s Voice App for iOS, Official Launch Delayed

Sources close to Google reportedly say that Apple has already approved the search giant’s native Voice application for iOS devices, but the launch is held back so that Google can tweak the app to support the latest SDK changes including multitasking.

TechCrunch claims to have “gotten word that the official Google Voice application is on its way to the iPhone in the next few weeks.”

Citing a source close to Google, the tech-site reports that Google Voice has already been approved.

The only thing holding it back is that “Google just needs to revamp the application to work with the iPhone 4 and iOS’s multitasking capabilities,” this source reportedly noted.

Originally submitted to Apple back in 2009, the Google Voice app was rejected for "duplicating features that come with the iPhone".

Regarded as the final straw in a long line of application rejections, the move prompted the FCC to start an investigation regarding Apple's App approval process.

In the meanwhile, Apple loosened up on some of its restrictions, effectively allowing more types of code to be invested in iOS development, therefore streamlining the approval process of apps hitting from all corners of the world.

This includes Google’s own Voice app.

There are already a number of third-party Google Voice apps in the App Store. One of them is GV Mobile +, a Google Voice application for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, developed by Sean Kovacs and sold for $2.99.

Earlier this month, Softpedia reported  that an Apple representative had told Kovacs that he was welcome to resubmit his application for review, following Apple’s amendment to the App Store Review Guidelines.

It is also worth noting that, in light of its preliminary antitrust investigation into Apple's iPhone policies, European Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia welcomed Apple's relaxed restrictions on the development tools for iOS apps, and introduced cross-border iPhone warranty repair services within the EU/EEA.

In particular, the latter puts an end to the difficulties experienced by European consumers who need repair services for an iPhone purchased in a Member State other than their country of residence.

The Commission intends to close the investigations into these matters, following Apple’s change of heart regarding the aforementioned policies.