Apple responds to FCC questions about Google Voice

A while back the general public received word that the FCC wanted to chat with Apple about their issues with having a Google Voice application on the iPhone. Just this week Apple has published their responses to those questions from the FCC. While they are filled with the usual confusing garble, they do offer some interesting outlooks into the app review process and Apple’s policies. For example, check out this quote:

There are more than 40 full-time trained reviewers, and at least two different reviewers study each application so that the review process is applied uniformly. Apple also established an App Store executive review board that determines procedures and sets policy for the review process, as well as reviews applications that are escalated to the board because they raise new or complex issues. The review board meets weekly and is comprised of senior management with responsibilities for the App Store. 95% of applications are approved within 14 days of being submitted.

Interesting, ‘ey? For an App Store that is comprised with thousands upon thousands of applications AND their updates, Apple only has forty full time people working to review them. While they do say “more than,” it still seems as if using forty as the base number is a bit low, expecially considering that all applications go through two employees and then some must be looked at for an even longer extent of time. And check out round two:

Apple is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application. No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter.

This is also fascinating. There had been much speculation that Apple denied the Google Voice application due to a request from AT&T to protect their network. However, as Apple points out, this is not the case. However, Apple also stated, “From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.” Now unless Apple is lying, this sentence does not apply to the Google Voice application, but it still rises questions as to whether or not Apple is stretching the truth.

To see Apple’s entire response to each question, check out the link below. There are some juicy details in there.

Via [Apple]