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[isthisthingon]

I realize this is a heated topic but since the official response from Apple has arrived I wanted to post an update.  Apple has officially denied rejecting Google Voice from the App Store.  Wow++.  However, in the following article a few things are revealed that present the opposite picture: http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/082409-apple-denies-rejecting-google-voice.html?source=NWWNLE_nlt_daily_pm_2009-08-24

Interesting tidbits:
AT&T: "AT&T denied that it had a hand in the Google Voice decision. 'AT&T has no role in Apple's consideration of Google Voice or related applications,'"
Apple: "'From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration,' Apple said. "

And as for the Android/Skype/Google similarity, iPhones are in a similar position there as well:
"The popular Skype VoIP software, for example, has been accepted for the App Store, but that product, as well as others, has been crippled so that it works only through a Wi-Fi hotspot, not over AT&T's data network."

[perkiset]

Oh they're cookies are gonna be in a wringer.

"I did not. Have sex. With that woman."

[isthisthingon]

Zactly.  AT&T: We expressed various "concerns," threats for ignoring them, and remedies for failing to address said concerns...  But the decision is completely theirs. 

[perkiset]

Yes, well, that said:

"The FCC's inquiry into Google Voice has ripped back the curtain on the wireless market and revealed AT&T's secret veto power over applications on the iPhone that offer consumers voice services over the Internet," said Ben Scott, the policy director of Washington D.C.-based Free Press, in a statement Friday. "AT&T has been caught with its hand in the Apple jar."

This thing is going to get ugly and there'll be some job terminations I'll betcha.
But dood. You're love of Apple FAIL is starting to make you look awfully iPartisan... 

@ Skype and the rest of it - which will include tethering in the very near future - I think the problem is that AT&T did not scale correctly and needs to use price to keep some people off its network. I don't think they can handle it and are somewhat phuqued. If price pushes people back even 6 months from signing on, perhaps they can get things on top. Hugely doubtful, but hey.

The reason I say this, is that the AT&T/iPhone plan is unlimited minutes local and LD. Therefore, there is no reason to keep people (in those minutes and exceeding them) for revenue purposes. In fact, it would take weight off the voice data services. But if their data capabilities are not as strong as voice (duh) then they'd want to disincenvitise people to go all data. Consider: if Google Voice actually keeps people on the iPhone and not going elsewhere, then they continue to be an AT&T customer - ostensibly, GoogleVoice could be a factor in keeping people on AT&T / iPhone. But ONLY if AT&T can handle it.

I think it's a "Pbbbbbblleease Apple... don't let them do that because those damn users will crush our network" issue.
My money's on total complicity, but not for the reasons stated on any front.

[isthisthingon]

But dood. You're love of Apple FAIL is starting to make you look awfully iPartisan...

But I did post the results of the hypervisor comparison with Apple being the winner: http://www.mobileburn.com/news.jsp?Id=7652  ooops, wrong article

[rcjordan]

>I think it's a "Pbbbbbblleease Apple... don't let them do that because those damn users will crush our network" issue

Nah, I think they see themselves in a position similar to the music industry when it was going digital.  They have to go forward because the technology is dragging them in that direction. At the same time, they are frantically seeking a way to keep the genie in the bottle and not let it become generic.

Too late. In the end, AT&T is toast and the iPhone will be uncorked.

[perkiset]

Too late. In the end, AT&T is toast and the iPhone will be uncorked.

Agreed, the genie is out. AT&T got an artificial stay of execution with the iPhone contract. I'll bet that Verizon is kicking themselves ATM.

That said, if the rumors are true and they'll be getting the 4G/LTE contract for the new media tablet, then perhaps they were just fine letting AT&T be the beta monkey.

[rcjordan]

Businessweek goes with your argument, perk:

"When AT&T cut the deal that made it the exclusive U.S. distributor of Apple's iPhone, the carrier bet correctly it would attract millions of new subscribers. What it didn't bargain for: the huge demands the device would impose on AT&T's network. Thanks largely to the iPhone's ability to surf the Web, play videos, and run all manner of software-based tools called apps, by some estimates AT&T now handles more than twice as much smartphone traffic as any other U.S. carrier. Or mishandles, as the case may be."

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2009/tc20090823_412749.htm

[perkiset]

W00t, Perk +1.

Spot on:

One of the biggest choke points in AT&T's network is found in what's called back-haul capacity, or the size of the pipe that connects cell towers to the Internet, according to a person familiar with the matter. AT&T is trying to remedy this shortcoming by increasing its back-haul capacity. Donovan tells BusinessWeek that the company has nearly doubled the number of these connections it plans to add this year. While it had planned on adding 55,000, it now plans to add 100,000 to accommodate skyrocketing mobile traffic.

Thanks RC - it's been a long time since I was right about something. I'm a married man, you know.

[isthisthingon]

Thanks RC - it's been a long time since I was right about something.

It's amazing how time flies

[perkiset]

 

[rcjordan]

Better soundbite for you here, perk:

Even AT&T says AT&T can't handle the iPhone
It's unanimous then. Everybody agrees iPhone shouldn't be exclusive to AT&T

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9137510/Elgan_Even_AT_T_says_AT_T_can_t_handle_the_iPhone

[perkiset]

Man that's friggin' rich. I wonder if that sort of admission would be enough for Apple to claim misrep and dump the contract?

[isthisthingon]

"So why did you take the job? And why do you take my money? After all, it's not as if iPhone fans were clamoring for Apple to sign with you exclusively. You "won the contract" against the wishes of the iPhone user community. Now deliver!"

Bam