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Google Uses Undocumented API in Google Voice Search App

Wednesday November 26, 2008 12:36 pm PST by Arnold Kim
CNet reports that Google has confirmed that they are using an undocumented API in their Google voice-search application. Google's mobile application takes advantage of the iPhone's proximity sensor to start "listening" for a new voice search. While a useful and unique feature, it technically runs afoul of the iPhone SDK's rules that prevent the use of undocumented APIs.

Under the original terms of the SDK, however, applications using such techniques were not supposed to make it through to the App Store. As a result, other developers who played strictly by the SDK rules would not have felt it possible to create an application that duplicated Google's voice prompt using the proximity sensor, whereas those who had the resources to quickly rewrite anything that ran afoul of the App Store gatekeepers could push ahead and test Apple's limits.

Developers willing and able to sneak into the App Store using such techniques could have an advantage over their competitors. It's not entirely clear if Google's usage was officially authorized by Apple or if it was just missed.

App Store Link: Google Mobile Application, Free
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MHerstand
Posted: 42 months ago
I would guess that Apple purposely allowed Google to do this. After all, Google and Apple are working in partnership for the iPhone (see: iPhone introduction, 2007). However, if this is to be presented as just another app, it does seem like unfair (illegal?) business practices to ignore violations of some apps and not others based on your business partners.
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lozanoj83
Posted: 42 months ago
Im going to assume they worked with Apple on this. After all, Google and Apple have made many things for the iPhone so it's not surprising. If another developer had used a undocumented API then yes it would be breaking, but im going to assume that Google has Apple's blessing on this one
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NorCalLights
Posted: 42 months ago
Hmm... the last time I programmed anything was back in a college comp sci class so maybe I'm missing something but how can writing a simple If/Then statement in a loop to listen in on the prox sensor possibly be against the SDK rules?

Isn't it just "If ProxSensor = True Then Run(ListenCode)"?
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DipDog3
Posted: 42 months ago
I was wondering how Google was able to do that trick.

I guess the old adage is still true, "It's All About Who You Know!"
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chr1s60
Posted: 42 months ago
I'm guessing Apple allowed this because it is Google and not some random developer. Google has the proper resources and relationship with Apple that would lead me to believe Apple trusts them much more than others.
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macduke
Posted: 42 months ago

Hmm... the last time I programmed anything was back in a college comp sci class so maybe I'm missing something but how can writing a simple If/Then statement in a loop to listen in on the prox sensor possibly be against the SDK rules?

Isn't it just "If ProxSensor = True Then Run(ListenCode)"?


But you see, in the publicly available SDK there is no access to the controller for "ProxSensor", Google has a special version that allows deeper access to the iPhone's functions. The API has to have calls for it, and apparently Google has it. Perhaps this will come bundled with Push Notifications at Macworld 09 as a SDK / iPhone 2.3 update. The last 2.2 / SDK update allowed the recording of line-in audio, which there was previously no API for.
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funnyent
Posted: 42 months ago
it's google. They have made YouTube and maps for the iPhone. Apple needs them! Apple won't care.
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NorCalLights
Posted: 42 months ago

But you see, in the publicly available SDK there is no access to the controller for "ProxSensor"


Oh really? I didn't realize that. I guess now that you mention it, I've never seen an app that uses the proximity sensor. Very interesting.
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zengod
Posted: 42 months ago
Can't say I'm fussed if apple pull it - I searched for "Edam Cheese" and got "Teen Panties" ......
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domness
Posted: 42 months ago
It's the slippery slope! Developers will now be complaining why their own app isn't accepted if Google's using undocumented APIs is!

I wonder what Apple will say publically about this.
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