Official Google Voice app already approved?

TechCrunch:

The App Store review office at 1 Infinite Loop has officially frozen over: we’ve gotten word that the official Google Voice application is on its way to the iPhone in the next few weeks. In fact, we’ve heard from a source close to Google that it’s already been approved — Google just needs to revamp the application to work with the iPhone 4 and iOS’s multitasking capabilities.

You remember the shit storm surrounding the official and third party Google Voice app rejections, with the FCC questioning all the players; Apple, AT&T, and Google. It seemed like all hope was lost…that was until Apple recently changed the app store rules and the third party GV apps started to appear in the app store again. Since then we’ve all been waiting to see when/if the official Google Voice app would be approved, and now it looks like it has!

(via iPhoneInCanada)

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Apple vs ?, at&t, Google, iPhone apps, Speculation

iPhone 4 3G speeds: 5x faster upload, 2x faster downloads

I’ve been using the Speedtest.net app a lot over the last few days to test the iPhone 4 signal issue. Checking whether the signal was actually degraded or if it was just a display issue. That’s a post for another time, but most of the time the signal was actually degraded.

During this testing I’ve discovered that when I have a good signal, my upload speeds have gone from an average of about 0.25 Mbps to 1.21 Mbps last night. I’ve also hit new 3G speed record for download, 4.6 Mbps. I was never able to hit speeds faster than about 2.5 Mbps with my 3GS even though it was capable of using the 7.2 Mbps network AT&T supposedly finished installing in Miami earlier this year.

The real test will be when I travel to New York City in a few weeks!

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at&t, iPhone, iPhone 4

Real AT&T security breach today?

Reading a thread over at forums.tipb.com some user are reporting that when logging into their own accounts they were presented with another users information.

User ugahairydawgs reports:

Had that happen to me too. Logged in and was looking at the account for some guy from Wisconsin who works for IBM.

I thought I had hit the jackpot and that the AT&T computers had messed up and given me full upgrade pricing, but then I realized that the name at the top of the page didn’t quite match the one on my drivers license.

This is a much more serious issue than the iPad email leak last week. This also explains why no one could preorder a phone due to the check with ATTs servers during the order process.

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at&t, iPhone 4

Where in the world is the 3G Skype app? (Updated)

First a quick recap…

On January 27th Apple updated their terms to allow 3G VoIP apps. With Skype’s official stance on the subject being they had the 3G version ready, everyone expected the new app to hit the virtual shelves within a couple days.

Then on February 3rd, when we all expected to download the 3G version to our iPhones, Skype said it would be delayed in order to get it right. Even though it seemed a bit suspicious since they were supposed to have the 3G version ready and waiting, everyone was just excited that VoIP over 3G was finally a reality.

…end recap!

Here we are, 2 months later and still waiting. With no official word since February 3rd, the excitement has been replaced with frustration. Many people, myself included, are starting to wonder if the Skype – Verizon deal is the reason for the iPhone app delay.

After digging around I stumbled upon a thread in the Skype forums where a user claimed that Peter Parkes told him:

The deal with Verizon included exclusivity so Skype is not going to issue an update for the iPhone that will allow it to work over 3G.

As plausible as this is, I doubt anyone from Skype would let this slip to a random person. I guess we’ll see what happens tomorrow after the Verizon Skype app is released.

UPDATE In another thread the same user made the claim, but in this case Peter Parkes responded directly to this claim:

There’s no way I would have said that we’re backing away from iPhone, let alone not releasing a 3G-capable version, quite simply because it’s not true.

We’re absolutely committed to the iPhone platform: I cannot emphasise this enough. We’ll be releasing the 3G-capable version of our app very soon indeed.

Thanks to @paulmontag for the link (via @PhoneinCanada)

As I continued my search, I found two official responses on the matter.

First, Twitter user Dakota Allen claimed to get an official tweet saying the app was “coming soon” on March 23rd.  I did a little fact checking and was able to confirm this claim:

@dakotadallen: Is Skype for iPhone over 3G coming? Or has Verizon paid to ensure that doesn’t happen? (view tweet)

@skypemobile: it’s coming soon – watch this space (view tweet)

Second, taking a look back at the comments on the February 3rd update, Peter Parkes finally replied to all the questions:

Nikunj and others – I appreciate your patience. Unfortunately we don’t have any additional information to share right now. Our iPhone team is working hard to get the updated app ready to release – when it is, we will get it to you as soon as we can.

So the official stance is basically the same as it was on February 3rd, we are are still working away and it should be coming soon. I’m not 100% satisfied with this response, but any response is better than none. At least we know they are still working on it…right? I’ve also contacted Skype PR for an official response, but not holding my breathe that they’ll respond.

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at&t, iPhone apps, Speculation

iPhone’s AT&T 3G app download limit increased to 20MB

I happen to stumble upon this last night when going through my regular 3 hour check on app updates for Skype.

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at&t, iPhone, iPhone apps

AT&T starting to look better, SlingPlayer going 3G soon

We recently got some 3G VOIP love from AT&T now that Apple’s terms have caught up to AT&T giving the all clear last year. Now AT&T has taken the next big step in allowing the SlingPlayer iPhone app to stream over 3g. According to Engadget:

AT&T says it has been testing an “optimized” version of the app on its 3G network since December, and Sling says the dynamic bandwidth adjustment should keep the app from bringing the network to grinding halt — in not so many words. The 3G-friendly version will be a free upgrade to the $30 application, and should be available as soon as the revised software makes its way through the App Store approval process.

Looks like AT&T is feeling more secure as they start rolling out their 7.2 network this year.

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at&t, iPhone apps