Google violates iPhone API guidelines

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Google has recently released a new version of it's Google Mobile application for the iPhone. This is the first time Google has made voice search available on a mobile device (Google Android users were not the first). In order to initiate a search, the iPhone is placed by your ear, as if making a call. The iPhone's proximity sensor detects this and the voice search initiates. While seemingly harmless, Apple has prohibited developers from using the iPhone's proximity sensor, and therefore never released an API for it. Google has, in effect, violated the App Store guidelines. Also, the voice recognition aspects of the application are also not included and not supported by Apple, which has prohibited developers from releasing voice software previously.

Has Google obtained permission to use the proximity sensor API? It's possible, since Google's Eric Schmidt sits on Apple's executive board. Also, Google's large corporate entity, possibly along with strict checks by Apple, gave this application a place in the App Store. Further investigation into Google's software reveals that this isn't the first time Google has used undocumented APIs. Google's Chrome browser uses hidden APIs on Windows to make the browser more secure. While Google is "doing no evil" by using these APIs, the legal aspects may one day be a call of concern into users' privacy and knowing exactly what software is doing - and how.

#1 LTD on 27 Nov 2008 - 02:30

I'm quite sure Apple will let this slide. The Google Mobile App is incredibly popular. There might be some "discussion" of it behind closed doors in Cupertino, but that's where the matter will likely stay.

Eric Schmidt probably paved the way for this app himself, anyway. iPhone users get a great app while Google gets some positive publicity. Both companies win.

#2 Stormeh on 27 Nov 2008 - 03:02

Probably a slap on the wrist at most.

(1 reply) #3 Hurmoth on 27 Nov 2008 - 03:11

I highly doubt Apple doesn't have permission to do this, especially considering Schmidt sits on Apple's board.

#3.1 Archangel Tyrael on 27 Nov 2008 - 03:33

Hurmoth said,

you mean Google right?

(1 reply) #4 +ArtOfTheWire on 27 Nov 2008 - 05:14

I was under the impression that Apple actually made the iPhone Google apps using Google's API's.

#4.1 MrA on 27 Nov 2008 - 08:07

Seems like it for the built-in apps, but Google makes the Google Mobile and Google Earth apps available from the app store.

(3 replies) #5 Cpugeni Ω on 27 Nov 2008 - 09:33

Apple are a bunch of idiots

#5.1 +Dakkaroth on 27 Nov 2008 - 09:42

You sure showed them.

#5.2 shadowmatt on 27 Nov 2008 - 09:44

boo hoo, im and angry man, who hates a company, boo hoo. take it you dont have anything better going on in you life

#5.3 LTD on 27 Nov 2008 - 13:14

shadowmatt said,

Ok, I'll bite . . . why are they idiots?

(1 reply) #6 Unplugged on 27 Nov 2008 - 11:10

Another reason why I rejected purchasing an iPhone.

Software licensing of the OS aside I paid for the hardware. If I want to install software that manages to take advantage of that hardware in some way that should be up to me. The fact apple can pull the software if they so wish because they have a stranglehold on their devices is insane.

#6.1 LTD on 27 Nov 2008 - 13:16

Unplugged said,

It's a quality-control measure. It can be frustrating at times, though.

#7 C_Guy on 27 Nov 2008 - 16:06

Google? Violating guidelies? Oh my GOD! What a fine example of "do no evil"!

What's next, capturing text from GMails?

#8 Tikitiki on 27 Nov 2008 - 19:40

Just because a API isn't "documented" doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to use it.

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