It’s been more than a year since Apple pulled the original Google Voice app from the App Store, claiming that the product “duplicated existing functionality.” Some third-party GV apps have since made their way to the App Store, thanks in part to Apple’s decision to release app guidelines to the public. If TechCrunch is right, it sounds like the official Google Voice app may already be approved, marking the triumphant return of one of the most anticipated applications to the iPhone.

Here’s what TC had to say:

The App Store review office at 1 Infinite Loop has officially frozen over: we’ve gotten word that the official Google Voice application is on its way to the iPhone in the next few weeks. In fact, we’ve heard from a source close to Google that it’s already been approved — Google just needs to revamp the application to work with the iPhone 4 and iOS’s multitasking capabilities. If you’re a Google Voice user and you’re on an iPhone, this is great news.

No word from Google, but I’m hoping it’s only a matter of time.

It’s been more than a year since Apple pulled Google Voice off the iPhone, but there’s finally reason to celebrate for Google Voice fans. Apple has approved at least one native app for the iPhone.

What does that mean? That means no more jailbreaking, no more hacks, no more ridiculous excuses from Apple about feature duplication and whatnot. It means you can use GV Connect – the app that was approved – to make calls, transcribe voicemails, send SMS messages, record conversations, star conversations, and notes to conversations and messages, and basically provide everything you want from Google Voice right on your phone.

All I can say is it’s about damn time. This is a solid year overdue. I almost understood Apple’s reasoning, especially when Google Voice was sort of new and confusing. A couple months after the initial rejection, though, and this thing should have been back in without question. Really, it probably never should have been pulled, but this wait has been long.

The FCC is going to be taking a closer look at the Google Voice service to determine whether it should be governed by the same rules as other phone service operators. AT&T has been particularly whiney about the service and the lack of regulation.

The biggest problem AT&T sees is that Google is allowed to block calls that may be too expensive for users, something regular providers aren’t allowed to do. I’m not sure why AT&T has such a problem. It blocks calls all the time. You know, you get halfway into a call and AT&T decides it should be blocked. And you should not be compensated for any lost time. It also blocks your ability to have a truly unlimited data plan and blocks your phone from having basic services despite years of availability on other devices. Really, AT&T is blocking anything it wants, so why not spread the love?

I do find it funny that it took a high-profile app rejection to bring all of this to light. The results of the investigation will likely be applied to other VoIP services like Skype and Vonage, both of which have been around a whole lot longer than Google Voice. The unfortunate thing is that big wireless could gouge features out of customer-focused service because it fears competition.

It appears Apple isn’t going to take allegations that it did indeed reject the Google Voice app lying down. The company has fired back in a short statement to Silicon Alley Insider.

We do not agree with all of the statements made by Google in their FCC letter. Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application and we continue to discuss it with Google.

Well someone is lying – we know that much – and I’m still going to bet it’s Apple. Why would Google release statements to the contrary if they were still in talks with Apple. That doesn’t fit with Google SOP in any way, though ass-covering does seem to fit fit Apple quite well. As SAI has it, Google declined to comment any further on the situation. I just hope the FCC is around to break-up the ensuing slap fight should things get any worse.

Google has handled the FCC investigation over the rejection of Google Voice applications on the iPhone applaudably well. The search giant has offered lengthy explanations of just what the application does and answered FCC questions with tact an honesty, even going so far as to keep private the conversations it had with Apple regarding the subject matter.

Those conversations weren’t meant to stay private, though, and after several Freedom of Information Act filings Google’s letters to the FCC can now be viewed in unedited form (PDF). The most interesting response, and the one Google had tried to keep private, cements Apple’s villainy in the matter and suggests Apple lied to the FCC with regard to the application.

According to Google, Apple did reject the application, the news of which was delivered by none other than Phil Schiller. You may recall that Apple claimed it did not reject the app but was still pondering just what to do. It’s been a month since that claim surfaced and yet we still have no Google Voice app.

It seems pretty obvious that Google was giving Apple some time to do the right thing. So what if they wanted to lie; if the application finally made it into the store, even on a few months delay, no problem. But Apple did nothing, so instead of asking the FCC to reject the FoIA requests, Google released the documents in full, which puts Apple in a very unfriendly sort of limelight. No one is happy about this decision, and a lot of people are downright pissed. From here it looks like we’ll just be waiting to see whether Apple will try to appease the consumer and the FCC with an approval, or be forced to do so via legislation.