Google Broke App Store Rules With Undocumented APIs

Google used undocumented application programming interfaces (APIs) to activate iPhone’s proximity sensor for Google Mobile voice search when appropriate. Using undocumented APIs is against the original terms of the iPhone SDK. Google Mobile app with Voice Search starts taking commands as soon as users lift the iPhone in a “call-taking” position and start speaking.

Although this innovative app has been well received among iPhone users, the code could break in the future and cause unforeseen glitches as Apple updates it’s iPhone OS. That is exactly why developers should not use undocumented APIs.

“So, (a) Google Mobile is using a private API, and (b) to my knowledge, there is no way to duplicate the behavior of Google Mobile’s ‘just lift the phone to your ear to trigger the voice prompt’ feature using only the public APIs in the iPhone SDK. Needless to say, using private APIs violates the iPhone SDK Guidelines. A developer that plays by the rules cannot do what Google is doing,” Daring Fireball’s John Gruber explained.

Although Google spokesperson confirmed that the company’s new voice search for iPhone violates the terms of Apple’s SDK, it is unclear whether Apple was aware of the problem in the first place. Maybe the App Store simply opted to look the other way? Nevertheless, Google Mobile app with Voice Search is a joy to use.