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How To Use Google Voice On iPhone 4
Google opened up Google Voice to everyone today. While there's still no dedicated application for the iPhone, don't let that stop you. Here's how to use Google Voice with the iPhone 4.
Remember the big mess between Apple, AT&T and Google over the Google Voice iPhone app during the summer of 2009? The FCC hasn't made any real decisions or declarations on what took place between Apple, AT&T and Google, but that doesn't mean Google has been sitting around waiting for the FCC to make up its mind.
In January of this year, Google launched new version of the Google Voice application that Apple hasn't been able to approve (or disapprove). Why? Because it's used from the iPhone's browser. Since it works in Safari, that means it will work from the iPhone 4, too.
The HTML5-powered Web app will let iPhone users access Google Voice without the need for a third-party application. The Web-based app definitely doesn't work as well as the more fully-featured Google Voice for Android application, but it gets the basics done in a pinch.
Google says, "For quick access to the most important features like 'Dialer', 'Compose SMS', 'Inbox' or 'Contacts,' you can add shortcuts to your iPhone home screen or Palm Launcher -- so cheap calls and messaging will be just a single click away. And because the Google Voice web app uses advanced features of modern HTML5 browsers, it offers native app-like performance and speed."
The new Web app will work on iPhones using OS 3.0 and up. This version of Google Voice will also work with Palm's webOS devices.
The Google Voice debacle unfolded last year when Apple first approved a Google Voice application from Google and then later pulled it. Many believed that it was yanked from the iPhone Apps Store at the behest of AT&T. Google Voice lets users maker cheaper long-distance calls and forward calls to multiple other numbers. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission opened an investigation of sorts and asked all the companies involved for an explanation of why the application was removed. The results of that investigation have still not yet been revealed, 10 months later.
Want to use Google Voice with your iPhone 3G, 3GS or (starting June 24) your iPhone 4? Visit m.google.com/voice in your mobile browser.
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