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Access Google Voice from the iPhone via Safari

by Dave Caolo Jan 26th 2010 at 1:30PM

Earlier today, Google made a mobile web version of Google Voice available for the iPhone. To understand the significance of this move, here's a bit of back story.

Apple pulled all Google Voice related apps from the App Store back in July, which led to an FCC inquiry, which led Apple to claim they had not rejected but were "studying" Google Voice, which Google contradicted. The biggest surprise in the whole scenario is that AT&T said that they had no problem with Google Voice on the iPhone. Months later, there's still no official Google Voice app in the App Store. You can view the long version of the story here.

The mobile web version announced today (iPhone 3.0 required), while not the first, utilizes HTML 5 to accomplish some new and impressive tasks. For example, it lets you display your Google Voice number on outgoing calls and provides easy access to voice mail plus text messaging (send and receive). Additionally, you can dial with the virtual keypad and read transcripts of messages.

It's not all roses, of course. For instance, it won't access your iPhone's contact list or push incoming SMS.

Unless they're going to limit the capabilities of the iPhone's browser, or somehow block access, there isn't much Apple can do to prevent users from trying it out.

Note that this is limited to the US. To try it out, point Mobile Safari to http://m.google.com/voice. Pro tip: Add a bookmark to your iPhone's home screen to launch with a tap.

[Via ZDnet]

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Earlier today, Google made a mobile web version of Google Voice available for the iPhone. To understand the significance of this move,...
 

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26 Comments

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Florian

I would really like to try this. Does anyone want to share a google voice invite with me? I can offer a wave invite!

January 30 2010 at 2:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wizzard

No calls over wifi? I'll pass.

January 27 2010 at 1:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

This BREAKS iPod Touch use.

The headline could read “Google Blocks iPod Touch Users From Using Google Voice.”

Very disappointing.

January 27 2010 at 9:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
philmorley

I use GV in Canada, but it is only available with 403 (sounthern Alberta) phone number. If you have a 403 area code, and a Google Voice invite I can help you get setup.

January 26 2010 at 9:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rego

I hope the tablet has a full featured Apple voip app built in to offer a replacement to land lines.

Could that be why Apple hasn't approved Google Voice?

Apple, could then takeover the landline business as well as media.

January 26 2010 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mike

seems to want to call Austin at 2 cents/min.? what the heck?!

January 26 2010 at 5:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bork

Yep. By requiring that you call the local access number (vs having it simply call you), this new version breaks the forwarding workaround that Canadians use to use GV (i.e., set up GV to call a US SkypeIn #, then forward the SkypeIn # to your Canadian #.)

I wonder if this was intended.

January 26 2010 at 4:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to bork's comment
Yuusharo

I doubt Google did it intentionally. I think they were afraid with EDGE data being so slow that having Google's services call you while you were on an EDGE connection would simply send you to voicemail (Its a limitation of AT&T edge, not 3G, where calls are routed to voicemail while you're using data). This might be Google's clever way of avoiding that issue while accidentally introducing new problems.

I think eventually Google may change it to give you the option.... *hopefully* ^_^;

January 26 2010 at 4:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

I am an iPod Touch user, and had success get the app to send text messages today. Pretty neat, blown away by how fast HTML 5/caching is with the app. I too use google sync, so all my contacts from my ipod/desktop are in the cloud and accessible with the new Google Voice app.

However, I have one problem. For some time I have been able to use the limited online version via my iPod. I had it set up with a my Verizon cell phone. In GV I would select a number, hit dial, it calls my phone, I pick up, and then am connected to my call. It seems that this updated web app has broken that feature on my iPod. Now, when I try to dial a number I get a pop-up alert with some error. Is there a way to get around this? Has anyone experience this? I would love to be able to dial out to my cell phone with the rest of the amazing features from this app.

Thanks!

January 26 2010 at 3:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Jason's comment
behindthecurtain

Same problem here! I hope Google is aware of the situation and figures out a workaround shortly. Anyone else have a recommendation?

January 26 2010 at 4:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scstsut

It looks like when you tap "Call" it is generating a tel:(###)###-#### url which on the iphone launches the phone app and on the iPod pretty much exactly fails to do anything. I haven't found a way back to the old version that worked either.

January 26 2010 at 6:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sodapop

This is my issue... hardly anyone I know uses GV or Skype on a regular basis. I waited impatiently for Skype on the iPhone but never use it... Unless these apps can run at all times its kind of hassle. Its easier to just use the voice plan I am paying for.

These are great ideas for iTouch owners tho.

January 26 2010 at 3:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erik Bowen

I don't have an invite either

January 26 2010 at 3:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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