Syber News

VoiceCentral announced Black Swan, a Google Voice iPhone web app in December of 2009, but it was somewhat upstaged by Google itself, which released an official Google Voice iPhone web app in late January. Now Black Swan is out, so how does it compare with Google's web app?

The need for web apps for Google Voice on the iPhone arises because Apple has purged the App Store of Google Voice apps in mid-2009, and has refused to accept Google's native iPhone app. Web apps, which use the Safari's capabilities instead of a native app, are subject to the App Store approval process, and thus can't be blocked by Apple.

To install the Black Swan web app, you simply navigate to http://voicecentral.riverturn.com/install from your iPhone's browser. You'll then see a message says the app is installed, and it will then prompt you to add a bookmark to your Home Screen.

After that, you just add your account information (you do have a Google Voice account, still only invitation only, right?). The app is free, but VoiceCentral also offers a premium version, for $10 a year (currently on sale for $6). The premium version adds the ability to import contact photos, see billing transactions, Do Not Disturb, Favorites, and Inbox Search. You also get real customer support, as opposed to forums only.

Just remember, as a weblication, or a web app, Black Swan does have limitations imposed on it.

• Currently, weblications cannot access the iPhone's contacts. However, Black Swan can import your Google contacts to provide similar functionality.
• The earpiece cannot be accessed by the app, so voicemails play through the speaker or the headphone jack.

The lack of an ability to link to your iPhone's native contacts is annoying, but understandable.
There are also no push notifications. If, for example, there is a voicemail left on your Google Voice number, there isn't a way for Black Swan to send you a push notification. Well, there is a way, but not without "help," at any rate.

Additionally, unlike the official Google Voice web app, when you want to make a call Black Swan has Google Voice call you and then connects you to the actual number. The official web app uses an intermediate number and doesn't require you to answer the "callback." That's a big convenience.

So, does the world really need another Google Voice web app? Not really, not in addition to the official web app. What it really needs is a more open App Store.

Watch a Black Swan video: