Last year, Apple denied Google’s request of approval for their Google Voice for iPhone app. A few months after that, Google released a web-based version that works via any HTML5-enabled mobile web browser so users could use Google Voice on their iPhones. Finally, after more than a year of waiting Apple has finally approved the Google Voice for iPhone app.
Here’s the official announcement from the Google Voice Blog:
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.
With this native app, you’ll continue to have access to all the major Google Voice features on your iPhone, like:
* Cheap rates for international calls
* Free text messaging to U.S. numbers
* Voicemail transcription
* Display your Google Voice number as caller ID when making callsIn addition to these benefits, the app provides some features that make using Google Voice on your iPhone a much better experience:
* With push notifications, the app will alert you instantly when you receive a new voicemail or text message
* Most of your calls will be placed via Direct Access Numbers, making them connect just as quickly as regular phone calls
Screenshots:
Menu and Dialer
Inbox and Voicemail
Text and Quickdial
The “new” Google Voice for iPhone app has all the important features like call & text support, push notifications and voicemail access. The app is now available for download from the App Store for iPhones running iOS 3.1 or higher and at the moment is only available in the US and for those with Google Voice accounts. If you don’t have one yet, just click here and login with your Google account.
I love the “new” Google Voice for iPhone app! It’s definitely much much better than the web-based version which I have been using the past few months. With this app, I don’t have to login all the time and open Google Voice on Safari. I can easily access text messages and voicemails. Another thing I like about it is that I can now access my phone contacts directly from the app and be able to add contacts who I frequently call to the Quick Dial tab.
Download the official Google Voice for iPhone app from iTunes.
Who else has downloaded and tried the official Google Voice for iPhone app? What do you like/dislike about it? What other features or options should be added to the Google Voice app? Please share your thoughts.
It’s now supported for iPod touch!
@Jason & @Sourish – I think the reason why Google Voice is only available for the iPhone and not the iPod Touch is because Google Voice requires a mobile number to work. That’s the only reason I could think of. :/
dont have this for my ipod touch :I .. rightly pointed by Jason
It’s a shame that it’s only for the iPhone users. Google needs to update it for iPod touch also.