Why Was Google's Voice iPhone App Rejected? Apple Explains...

Apple has officially answered FCC questions about why Google Voice was rejected to appear in App Store. For those who didn’t keep track of the news, Apple rejected the Google Voice application for iPhone and removed all related third-party application from App Store. The rejection has drawn great attention & criticism around the net and even Federal regulators wanted to know why Apple rejected Google’s innovative Voice app from its App Store.

This is not the very first time Apple rejected iPhone applications submitted for App Store. Developers, bloggers and journalists around the net have criticized Apple for rejecting applications especially for those innovative applications trying to add feature and even replace iPhone’s default application like Phone or Mail applications.

Okay, here is the Apple’s answer to FCC’s question on why the Google Voice application was rejected:

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

The answer is not very convincing.

[via Simon Blog]

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Canon Vixia HF S11 Camcorder

Canon Vixia HF S11 Camcorder

Canon USA has released their new VIXIA HF S11 Dual Flash Memory camcorder that features a Genuine Canon HD Video Lens, Canon designed and manufactured 8.59-megapixel Full HD CMOS Image Sensor and Canon DIGIC DV III Image Processor, all of which allow the video recorder to produce breathtaking video and stunning 8.0MP photos. It also features Genuine Canon Face Detection, Instant AutoFocus, and the ability to record in 24p Cinema Mode or 30p Progressive Mode.

Canon also released a new camcorder accessory, the RA-V1 Remote Control Adapter for professional-level functionality when shooting from a tripod. The Canon Vixia HF S11 will be launched later next month for $1,500, meanwhile the RA-V1 Remote Control Adapter is priced at $120.

(Via The Digital Camera Blog.)

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Ricoh GR Digital III hits the review bench, collects plaudits

Ricoh GR Digital III hits the review bench, collects plaudits

The dudes and dudettes at Photography Blog are nothing if not thorough, and their latest review is no exception. The GR Digital III and its peculiar 28mm wide-angle fixed focal length lens (i.e. no optical zoom) have been subjected to an inspection and the verdict is an exuberant thumbs up. The aluminum alloy body impressed them right from the off, and the reviewers also liked the customizable menus, improved shutter speed, Dynamic Range double shot, and Adobe DNG RAW output. Those were all mere cherries, however, to the cake of 'excellent' image quality and 'stand-out' Macro performance. The sole blemishes found were the price (£529 / $699) and noise issues beyond ISO 800, but then the latter is a well known weakness of compact cameras. Check out the read link for sample images and the (very) full review.

(Via Engadget.)

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