Schmidt: Google Now for iOS waiting for Apple's approval

Google Now, the app that uses data based on a user's location to send relevant alerts, might be being held up by Apple for inclusion in its App Store.

Speaking today at the Big Tent Summit in India, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt was asked when Google Now would be made available to iOS devices. The coded response didn't necessarily call out Apple, but did seem to hint that the iPhone maker is playing a role in the app's availability on its platform.

"You'll need to discuss that with Apple," Schmidt said. "Apple has a policy of approving or disapproving apps that are submitted into its store, and some of them they approve and some of them they don't."

Google Now debuted at last year's Google I/O conference. The app can access calendar information, as well as e-mail, news and transportation feeds, among other data, to deliver relevant information based on a user's location. The app currently works on Android and Chrome.

Speculation surfaced that Google Now would come to iOS earlier this month when a purported promotional video showing the app in action on iOS was posted to YouTube. However, that video was swiftly taken down, making some wonder what might have been behind it. Schmidt's comments are throwing more fuel on the fire.

Apple told CNET that the Google Now application was never submitted for approval to its App Store. Google has confirmed this, with a representative telling us that, "Yes, I can confirm for you: We have not submitted Google Now to Apple's App Store."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to included statements from Apple and Google.

This article originally appeared on CNET.