Sure, Apple’s iPhone has gained critical mass in many corporations. But a disconnect between Google Voice and Apple’s App Store highlights how Apple artificially limits iPhone opportunities for managed service providers and VARs. Frankly, The VAR Guy is mulling a move to a Google Android smart phone. Here’s why.
First, some background on the dispute. As the Los Angeles Times notes, Google Voice:
“enables users to make cheap international calls, consolidate multiple phone numbers into one voice mail account and get e-mailed transcripts of their voice messages…
… [but Apple] refused to allow Google to distribute its Google Voice application on iTunes, shutting out iPhone users from easily tapping into the much-anticipated service.”
The VAR Guy has three words, er, syllables for Apple: Pa-the-tic.
Voice-over-IP and unified communications represent huge opportunities for channel partners. And the iPhone could be a fantastic platform for many of those emerging, disruptive applications. If only Apple wasn’t so shortsighted and proprietary.
Alas, Apple is protecting its AT&T relationship by blocking Google Voice from the Apple App Store — and artificially limiting opportunities for VARs, channel partners and customers.
Apple better be careful: The VAR Guy loves his iPhone … but not the bloated monthly AT&T service fee that comes with it. If our resident blogger falls for Google Voice, he might wind up looking at a smart phone that runs Google Android instead
Follow The VAR Guy via RSS; Facebook; Identi.ca; Twitter; and via his Newsletter; Webcasts and Resource Center.
Read More About This Topic
Share This Post
Interact: Add a Comment | Trackback Link | Permalink
Subscribe: RSS Feed
iPhone pissed off alot of VARS that resold mobile devices already. We spent alot of time becoming resellers so we don’t have to send out clients to the AT&T stores, and what happens, they restrict the iPhones to AT&T & Apple Stores. I know of some VAR’s who trashed the iPhones to their clients, or simply pushed the to Blackberries because they would not get commissions off of the iPhone.
Stacey: How’s this for ironic… TheVARguy.com is actually undergoing a site enhancement to run better on iPhones.
The VAR Guy understands your disappointment with Apple, but our resident blogger can’t ignore all of those iPhone web browsers… …
Yeah, iPhone is a force to be reckoned with no doubt. We took the high road and, when asked, highly recommended the devices, just had to send them back to the stores..I know of almost $5k in lost commissions with just 1 client alone. But the client was VERY happy with them and our recommendation… Sometimes, being the trusted adviser trumps the money trail…