Here’s the quick and dirty version: Google’s new voice search App breaks the rules of the App store. How can you be sure? Google admitted to CNet that the Google search App uses an API that is not in the SDK.  There you have it, Google broke the rules and, thus far, there aren’t any repercussions coming from Cupertino.

This, as expected, causes a ton of controversy. Is Apple blatantly playing favorites? Is it okay when Google breaks the rules but not okay when Pull My Finger does? Heck, Flash can’t even get a sniff from Apple because they break the rules and there are a ton of people who want Flash on the iPhone (there are a ton of people who don’t as well). So is Apple sucking up to Google? Maybe but probably not.

There’s an old saying that it is better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission (that’s how I get new Macs after all) and it is a pretty safe wager that Google didn’t submit the updated search app with a note saying: “Dear Apple, We cheated.” More likely Google just submitted the app and hoped for the best. Apple likely gave it the same going through that it gives all Apps. The drill probably runs like this (I’m guessing):

1. Is this app something we might do? if “no” question 2, if “yes” reject
2. Is this app something we should start doing? if “no” question 3, if “yes” reject
3. Is this app something that annoys us in a vague and undefinable way? if “no” question 4, if “yes” reject
4. Is this app Adobe Flash? if “no” question 5, if “yes” reject
5. Does this app obviously violate the rules of the App store? if “no” approve, if “yes” reject

Well, the Google search App obviously passes the first four questions but fails the fifth one. So why wasn’t it rejected? Chances are that Apple doesn’t have top developers working on app approval. It just wouldn’t make much sense, why use all that skill while approving and rejecting apps? Expecting the app approval team to divine that Google broke the rules is probably asking too much.

But now everyone knows Google busted the rules. So what is Apple supposed to do? Apple could kill the app. Let’s face it, that isn’t likely to happen. The complaints about the app store approval process have been voluminous but imagine the complaints if Apple pulled a free app that is universally loved?  That would be a huge PR nightmare. About the only thing Apple can do is keep a closer eye on Google’s apps in the future. Oh, and wait for Google to say “Sorry, next time we’ll hit the G1 and Storm first.”