The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FCC has begun investigating Apple’s rejection of Google’s official Google Voice application and the subsequent removal of similar third-party apps from the App Store. You know the story by now — Google submitted the app, it was rejected, third-party GV apps were then pulled, everyone was pissed, somehow heat was deflected on AT&T, AT&T called BS and so on. Well apparently the FCC has decided to step in. The WSJ reports that letters were sent from the FCC to Apple, AT&T and Google seeking information on the matter. Specifically, “the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related applications from its App Store. The letter also seeks information on how AT&T, the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier, was consulted in the decision, if at all.” The Journal claims to have obtained the letter that was sent to Apple, which you’ll find in its entirety after the jump. We truly hope that — if nothing else — the FCC manages to take Apple down a peg where its ridiculous app approval process is concerned. For the sake of developers’ sanity, if nothing else. Our favorite part of the letter:
What are the standards for considering and approving iPhone applications? What is the approval process for such applications (timing, reasons for rejection, appeal process, etc.)? What is the percentage of applications that are rejected? What are the major reasons for rejecting an application?
Is there anyone out there who wouldn’t love to see Apple’s responses to those questions? Priceless.
