Infinite Path

Apple has hit back at claims that it is trying to block its competitors from putting software on the iPhone after an informal investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) probed their decision to reject Google’s application designed to allow users to send phone calls and text messages over the web.

Google Voice failed to gain approval from Apple’s iPhone app store in July; this rejection has since led to criticism of Apple on the basis that the app appeared perfectly suitable. There were concerns that Apple and its partners had acted illegally by blocking the application in an attempt to assert dominance over its close rival.

Apple have been vocal in their defense of the decision, denying claims of anti-competitive behaviour whilst claiming that Google Voice has simply not yet been approved. Although Apple is apparently concerned that the application “alters the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile technology functionality”, the company was keen to place emphasis upon the lengthy nature of the approval process, which until now had been shrouded in secrecy.

Developers of applications may be interested to know that Apple employs 40 people to review over 8,000 applications per week, with quality and consistency maintained through the use of a double check procedure for each app.

Whether or not Apple blocked Google’s app to decrease the intense levels of competition which have been mounting between the two companies during recent months remains to be seen but the manner in which they have grown apart since increasing involvement in crowded markets including web browsers and mobile technology is still startling.

The likelihood is that this bitter rivalry between the two companies will grow as both Apple and Google attempt to immerse themselves in new global markets which have the potential to give either company a leg-up in the battle to emerge as dominant in the technology world.

China, which is the largest mobile phone market in the world, may be the next location to play host as battleground because smart phones have started to become more popular with young professionals. The 3G iPhone, run on Google’s Android operating system, is expected to compete with the Apple iPhone and it will be fascinating to see which company a brand conscious generation of technology users side with.