Apple has approved the Google Voice iPhone app. This is great news for iPhone users because you can now receive push notifications for text and voicemail messages.
Apple had previously rejected the iPhone app becuase they said is was too similar to the functionality of the iPhone’s built in calling system. That didn’t stop Google from creating an HTML5 web app that iPhone users could access via the iPhone’s web browser.
Apple eventually started letting 3rd party Google Voice apps in the app store and, after almost 2 years, have finally approved Google’s iPhone app for Google Voice.
Earlier this year we launched a Google Voice HTML5 web app for iPhone users. Today we’re taking the Google Voice experience on the iPhone to a whole new level with the launch of the official Google Voice for iPhone app. via Google Voice Blog
So how does the new iPhone app compare to the web app?
Google Voice iPhone App vs HTML5 Web App
Click HERE if you can not see the embedded video above
iPhone App vs HTML5 Web App
You can see from the screenshots above that the keypad is larger on the iPhone app. The web app does have links to Gmail, Buzz, and other Google Services that the native iPhone app does not have. But the iPhone app has two main advantages over the web app:
1. Push notifications
You can receive push notifications for new text and voice messages. You can manage your notifications through the phones settings:
Settings –> Notification –> Google Voice
2. It integrates with your phone’s contacts.
You can access all of your phone’s contacts through the iPhone app. You can also setup Quick Dial Contacts. This gives you quick access to any number you might dial regularly.
What you need to use the iPhone App
You’ll need an iPhone with iOS 3.1 or later and a Google Voice account.
Download the app for free at http://itunes.apple.com//us/app/googe-voice and sign up for a Google Voice Account here, https://www.google.com/voice, if you don’t already have one.
How does it compare to the Android app? Unfortunately the iPhone app can not take over the calling capabilities on the iPhone like it does on Android phones. You have to open the app to send text messages and place phone calls. However, inbound calls will come to your iPhone just like a regular call, it happens through call forwarding.
The push notifications make this a must have iPhone app if you are a Google Voice user.
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