Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because Google isn't in the business you think they're in.
But what about Google's partners in the Open Handset Alliance? Most of them are definitely trying to compete head-on against the iPhone.
Pawns
Google Voice for iPhone Released
71–79 of 79 posts
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#72Google Voice is kind of the wrong product for the wrong time. It improves voice telephone calls exactly at a time when that's no longer very interesting.
The only semi-interesting thing would be cheap international calls - but I have Skype for this already.
Voice mail, I don't use. If it was improved like with GV - I'd still not use it. SMS, I have plenty of free texts, never exceed my limit - though I wonder how they get away with making them free, given that carriers make lots of money with that.
One number to rule them all - that would be cool - except if it's controlled by one company which will eventually seek to monetize. Those chefs and massage services cost money... I don't, by the way, see how being available on the phone to anyone at any time, no matter what number they call and no matter where I am - as a feature. More like a bug. I am already easily reachable on my phone, via SMS, via emails. I don't need to be any more available.
Anything that I'm missing? Why would I want GV?
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#73This long-awaited arrival throws quite the wrench into the Android v. iOS platform wars. Google was obviously already on the iPhone (with search, its popular native app, gmail, etc.), but Google Voice is clearly different in that in competes with the core functions of the phone. What do you guys think the impact of this will be? Could Google use this as a Trojan horse to hook people on GV then try to upsell them to a…
> What do you guys think the impact of this will be?
Apple does the majority of its sales outside the US. GV does not work outside the US.
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#74It's ironic that Apple might have changed their app store rules to allow a Google product (GV) into the app store in order to counter another Google product (Android)
It is ironic but I think there is some truth to it. The gmail client for android is way better than anything available for iPhone, and so ultimately unless Apple is willing to offer apps that are roughly as good, it might as well allow users to use Google's. I could see someone choosing Android just for the gmail app if email was very important and the other iPhone advantages didn't outweigh it. Mail.app for iPhone r…
In what way is the gmail client better? I'm using the Mail app on iPhone 4 and I love it. Joined inboxes, threaded conversations. The only thing missing for me is the ability to add rules locally.
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
But what about Google's partners in the Open Handset Alliance? Most of them are definitely trying to compete head-on against the iPhone.
Pawns
Unlike the hapless consumers who would be the pawns, if Google took the (common) strategy of undermining competitors rather than simply producing better products.
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#76Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is ironic but I think there is some truth to it. The gmail client for android is way better than anything available for iPhone, and so ultimately unless Apple is willing to offer apps that are roughly as good, it might as well allow users to use Google's. I could see someone choosing Android just for the gmail app if email was very important and the other iPhone advantages didn't outweigh it. Mail.app for iPhone r…
In what way is the gmail client better? I'm using the Mail app on iPhone 4 and I love it. Joined inboxes, threaded conversations. The only thing missing for me is the ability to add rules locally.
A few things I've notice (and why I stopped using it):
- It doesn't show new mail when it arrives
- It doesn't do threaded conversations so they're compatible with the gmail web app
- Its address book autocomplete is not as good
- It stores messages locally so you can't search past mails
- It does not hide the quoted text the same way gmail normally does, which sort of breaks that feature when you switch between mail.app and web based gmail.
edit: Maybe I'll try it again since you love it so much. It's possible that my initial frustrations led me to write it off prematurely (plus, I heard it's getting updates in IOS 4.2)
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#77Google Voice is kind of the wrong product for the wrong time. It improves voice telephone calls exactly at a time when that's no longer very interesting. The only semi-interesting thing would be cheap international calls - but I have Skype for this already. Voice mail, I don't use. If it was improved like with GV - I'd still not use it. SMS, I have plenty of free texts, never exceed my limit - though I wonder how the…
For me, Google Voice's features allow me more granular control over my availability, and reduce the total time my telephone takes by letting me skim textual versions of voicemails, direct calls hither and thither, etc.
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#78Earlier quoted context omitted.
In what way is the gmail client better? I'm using the Mail app on iPhone 4 and I love it. Joined inboxes, threaded conversations. The only thing missing for me is the ability to add rules locally.
A few things I've notice (and why I stopped using it): - It doesn't show new mail when it arrives - It doesn't do threaded conversations so they're compatible with the gmail web app - Its address book autocomplete is not as good - It stores messages locally so you can't search past mails - It does not hide the quoted text the same way gmail normally does, which sort of breaks that feature when you switch between mail…
>- It doesn't show new mail when it arrives
That depends on the push function. If the server supports push then you get the mail when it arrives. Mobileme works out of the box, as does exchange. Sadly, if you want this to work with gmail you have to set up gmail as an exchange account.
>- It doesn't do threaded conversations so they're compatible with the gmail web app
Not sure what you mean, it doesn't do them the same way as the gmail app? I haven't looked at that but it does do them and it seems to work pretty well.
>- Its address book autocomplete is not as good
It works well for me, but maybe I don't have as many contacts. I only have about 90 or so.
>- It stores messages locally so you can't search past mails
It searches locally but there is a button at the end of the results called "search on server". Does this not do what you want?
>- It does not hide the quoted text the same way gmail normally does, which sort of breaks that feature when you switch between mail.app and web based gmail.
Yea, that's true. That's a killer feature of gmail.
>Maybe I'll try it again since you love it so much.
I don't love it, I just find it better than most clients I've used. I just asked because I was genuinely curious what was better because it must be pretty dramatic if it makes the decent iPhone mail app look so bad.
Re: Google Voice for iPhone Released
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
A few things I've notice (and why I stopped using it): - It doesn't show new mail when it arrives - It doesn't do threaded conversations so they're compatible with the gmail web app - Its address book autocomplete is not as good - It stores messages locally so you can't search past mails - It does not hide the quoted text the same way gmail normally does, which sort of breaks that feature when you switch between mail…
>- It doesn't show new mail when it arrives That depends on the push function. If the server supports push then you get the mail when it arrives. Mobileme works out of the box, as does exchange. Sadly, if you want this to work with gmail you have to set up gmail as an exchange account. >- It doesn't do threaded conversations so they're compatible with the gmail web app Not sure what you mean, it doesn't do them the s…
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I got acclimated to the gmail app for Android for a while before I ditched Android for iPhone, an the only things that are worse in my opinion on iphone are gmail and google voice, which happen to be two very cool apps, which, if stronger, would make iPhone more desirable.
I think that the lack of push was probably the biggest annoyance for me, so I may try mail.app again with your tip.