We've seen Apple ban applications from the App Store for all sorts of ridiculous reasons. This time, it's different; all Google Voice related apps were banned from the app store, and this time Apple - or, more likely, AT&T - has a very good reason to ban them: it's scared of them.

Google Voice lets you do a lot of stuff for free that the AT&T charges for; you can place free calls in the US, you can send and receive free SMS messages. The application is still in beta, invite only stage, but several cool applications that use the service already exist for the iPhone. Sean Kovacs, the developer of GV Mobile, has said on his site that Apple has rejected the application. From his site:

"Richard Chipman from Apple just called - he told me they’re removing GV Mobile from the App Store due to it duplicating features that the iPhone comes with (Dialer, SMS, etc). He didn’t actually specify which features, although I assume the whole app in general."

Other similar applications, such as VoiceCentral and GVDialer, have also been banned. And Google only has an official Google Voice app for the Android and BlackBerry; now, they've admitted that they don't have an iPhone app because Apple said "no".

The reason? The application(s) is too similar to iPhone's own functionality. Like so many other Apple's app rejection reasons, this one rings phony as well. If nothing that's similar to functions and features iPhone already has can get approval, then no VoIP apps should be allowed. Also no camera-related apps, like Pro Camera. Fring? It lets you place calls, and send free messages, which is similar to SMS, right? Why is that OK, then?

Let's call a spade a spade here. There can only be one reason for thoroughly banning Google Voice from the iPhone: AT&T, like every mobile operator, is scared of apps that replicate their own services. But by banning an app such as Google Voice from the iPhone, Apple and its partner are setting a dangerous precedent. If the developers cannot be certain that Apple will provide them a fair, free marketplace, they will move elsewhere: to Android and Pre. After all, why create for a locked-down platform where the owners take the cake and all you're allowed to get is leftovers?

Apple and AT&T need to make a decision: is the iPhone their playground, or everyone's playground? If it's the former, that's OK, but they shouldn't get upset if no one wants to play with them.