Jason Unger

Vonage's iPhone App is Pointless, Thanks Google/Apple/AT&T

Posted by junger - 10/21/09 at 07:10:21 am

Even before we got our first iPhone (Debbie's 2G), I've been talking about the major impact an app like Vonage could have on the device.

Think about it. For us Vonage users, with a mobile app, we could:

• automatically forward our landline to our cells while on the road
• get access to all of our digital voicemails and transcriptions
• see our latest inbound and outbound calls
• even make calls on our cellphone through our landline number

It'd be an amazing app. But it's not even close to the one we got. Yes, I know you can do most of these things by visiting their website, but it's slow, not mobile-friendly, and does more than an app needs to.

Instead, Vonage puts out a Skype-like mobile calling app, targeted at non-Vonage users who want to be able to make calls over WiFi (and now 3G). So you have to buy minutes to make calls. And can't do anything whatsoever related to your landline account.

It's totally pointless. Why would Vonage ignore their current users by making an app that doesn't do anything useful for them at all?

Well, there may be a legitimate excuse. But it's a total cop-out. And I doubt it's the actual reason they used to justify making this pointless app.

The ideal Vonage app sounds a lot like Google Voice. You know, the app that currently has Apple/AT&T/Google under scrutiny from the FCC. Being able to have "one number to manage them all" is great for users … not so much for telecom providers. Especially if it's not their number.

Considering they've never been an especially cash-steady company, Vonage doesn't have the ability to get caught up in a legal mess. But it's a dumb argument, since all of the app features are currently available — just in an annoying, non-usable fashion.

I don't know who to blame for this, so in a spirit of fairness, not only will Vonage take blame for being wimps, Google, Apple and AT&T also need to be called out for causing this situation.

I'm Sorry, Apple, But You're Stupid

Posted by junger - 02/29/08 at 11:02:45 am

If this is true, Apple has to be one of the dumbest companies on the face of the earth.

iPhone/iPod SDK: Apple to approve, distribute apps, limit add-ons:

The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games.

Seriously, wtf is this company thinking? There is a MASSIVE market for jailbroken iPhone apps. People love them! They want them! And they'll do anything to get them!

Why would Apple even consider being the gatekeeper for applications? It's beyond obvious that consumers want access to custom apps. Why else would someone build a piano app, an NES emulator and a porn browser (NSFW)?

Why would you prevent people from getting access to content and software that they want? It's obviously not working now … why would it work in the future?

I can understand why Apple would want to distribute the apps through iTunes (even though Boing Boing says this is bad). Finding podcasts (for me) has never been easier than with iTunes.

But Apple isn't vetting podcasts for their content. And they shouldn't be vetting apps either. It's moronic. It really is.

Apple, get with the times. Or you're going to have even more backlash against you.