Google Voice app finally approved for iPhone

SAN FRANCISCO: Google's Voice application has won approval to be on the iPhone after more than a year of haggling with Apple.

The breakthrough announced Tuesday resolves a stand-off that triggered a Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc., the iPhone's exclusive U.S. service provider, were trying to stifle competition.

Among other things, Google's Voice application offers steep discounts on international calls and voice mail. The free app already has been available for Blackberry phones and devices running on Google's Android operating system.

Apple had told the FCC that it never rejected Google's Voice app outright.

While waiting approval, Google Inc. revamped its mobile website to make it easier to use the Voice app on the iPhone. Now the free app can be installed on the iPhone.