Almost since day one there have been consumer complaints about the iPhone, the App Store, AT&T. The iPhone is a revolutionary device and revolutions come with a certain amount of passionate “discussion.” But, for some users the time to talk is over.
Steven Frank, Michael Arrington, OM Malik are longtime iPhone users with a large sphere of influence. And they’re walking away from their iPhones. They’re not the only ones, just the latest to get fed up with Apple’s wall of silence and AT&T’s double-standards. All three site the recent rejection of Google Voice and subsequent pulling of GV-style apps from the App Store as the insult that went too far.
There is still speculation about whether the rejection is motivate by Apple or AT&T. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Users are tired of watching AT&T customers get services that are routinely denied to iPhone owners — MMS, Slingplay and now Google Voice.
Developer Justin Williams succinctly captures one view on his blog:
With the latest app rejection being Google Voice, I am one step closer to selling off my iPhone products and focusing entirely on the Mac once more. I can’t help but feel that I’ve wasted the past 9 months of my life building on a platform that is so hostile and anti-developer.
Developers are one of the main reasons for the success of the iPhone. Apple and AT&T would do well to remember this. Yes, Apple created an awesome device. But, for most users it’s all about the apps — especially for those faced with less than stellar cell service from AT&T. If developers leave the iPhone, eventually users will surely follow.
Sure, iPhone users have more than 50,000 apps to choose from. But, we still want the ones that we can’t have. It’s even harder when those same banned apps are allowed on similar devices. And nearly unbearable when users and developers aren’t given adequate explanations of why the apps are banned.
For the record, the editors at AppCraver.com aren’t giving up our iPhones anytime soon. In fact, at least one of us has already upgraded to the iPhone 3GS. That doesn’t mean we’re not disappointed with Apple’s decisions to ban certain apps. Or that we’re thrilled with waiting for features we should had months ago (MMS). However, the iPhone is still an exciting device. And developers continue to do amazing things with its operating system. We see more improvements and great things on the horizon. Perhaps, we’re optimistic, but we’re not giving up yet.
We think that most users will agree with us. For many users joining the iPhone community now, this is their first smart phone. They’re happy with the apps — if not with AT&T — and will find plenty of programs to keep them productive and entertained. They’re not going to give up their brand new iPhone because of one app.
But, once again, it comes down to the apps. If Apple and AT&T continue to keep hot new apps off the platform, it’s only a matter of time before users switch to a phone that will give them what they crave… berrycraver anyone?
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August 1st, 2009 at 1:33 am
[...] App Craver has some more details on the matter- “Almost since day one there have been consumer complaints about the iPhone, the App Store, AT&T. The iPhone is a revolutionary device and revolutions come with a certain amount of passionate “discussion.” But, for some users the time to talk is over. [...]
August 1st, 2009 at 6:24 am
this is horrifying. i cant believe apple would stoop so low as to deny an app simply because a rival company created it.. its like the digital racism, or control of the media.
August 1st, 2009 at 3:24 pm
[...] Will Google Voice be the Straw that Breaks the iPhone? – iPhone Apps | AppCraver Interesting piece, pointing out that Apple’s over-controlling attitude to apps is losing the company a lot of goodwill with the very customers it needs – the geeks. I took a long look at a few Google Android phones recently (the Magic and the Hero) and it’s clear that the product is significantly better in many cases, not least the open-source element of it. Sadly, my contract with O2 ends in 14 months – the consequence of upgrading to the 3G model and therefore having two 18 month minimum contracts to chomp through. [...]
August 3rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
This move by Apple (and other policies like it) is just plain stupid.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Typical hyperbole to get eyes on your posting. No, Google Voice will not “break the iPhone.” A more realistic and accurate headline would be “Will Google Voice be the straw that gets iPhone app approval fixed?” And, yes, I think it will be. This has gone too far and SJ will have to make changes. But not “end” the iPhone.
August 4th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Soon as I heard the news I started looking at Android phones, so count me in as someone getting fed up.
August 5th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Apple’s rejection of any videocam app for the 3G (which handles video recording just fine) simply sucks. They expect us to go out and pay $399 (16GB) or $499 (32GB) and get the iPhone 3G-S (that’s what those of us currently with AT&T iPhone service are being charged).
I won’t do it. If the Palm Pre ever gets video, I’ll break my contract & make the switch.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
You know what’s strange? That my Italian iPhone 3GS has MMS (and tethering). But if I were you, I wouldn’t envy me too much: the first time I tried to send a multiple SMS to 4 contacts (something like “Ehi guys, what are you doing tonight? Dinner together?” but in Italian
), a plain text, no images or other things, the iPhone switched it into MMS without even asking. So instead of spending 60 cents I end up with almost 2,5 euros. And so I turned off the MMS option once and forever. 
Talking about missing stuff, I would really love to have BiteSMS on AppStore. Right now I’m considering JB it only because of that awesome app. How can you create such a rich phone with such a poor SMS handling? No fast reply option, no character count (!), no group/folder archive… bah, maybe in the US SMS are something not really popular but here in Europe they are!
August 10th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Wow, i should digg more into this topic
October 20th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Ever notice? Apple has become the sort of corporation they once railed against and used to their advantage to attract a “different” customer. Like the “flower children” of the 60’s, who now sit on corporate boards and vote Republican, Apple has grown up and it’s not pretty!