A third-party Google Voice app has just hit the App Store. GV Connect by Andreas Amann is a native app that is able to interact directly with Google Voice accounts and features.

GV Connect features:

• Place calls using your Google Voice number rather than your mobile number – enter number directly, select a contact from your device’s contacts, or call back any number in your history.
• Send and receive text messages (SMS) from your Google Voice number.
• Listen to voicemails and recorded conversations right on your device (allowing you to pause, rewind, or fast forward to any point within the message) – voicemails will also show the transcription of the message when available.
• Mark messages as starred, attach notes to conversations, block/unblock senders, or delete conversations.
• Easily search in your history by contact, message, or note.
• Messages are stored on your device for offline access.
• Composing notes and text messages can be done in landscape mode.
• Quickly change various Google Voice account settings (call forwarding, do-not-disturb, message notifications, …) directly from within the application.
• Automatic checking for new messages while the application is active.
• Direct access to your device’s contacts without needing to synchronize them with Google
• All communication is done with the Google Voice website directly, no need to hand over your account information to a third-party.
• Full support for fast app switching in iOS4 and high-resolution graphics for retina displays.

GV Connect is available in the App Store now for $2.99.

Does this indicate that the revised App Store approval guidelines have paved the way for Google Voice apps — or even an official one directly from Google — to make their way to the App Store? And, does this mean that Sean Kovacs’ GV Mobile will have a chance to make its way back from getting the axe? We’ll just have to see, but it looks very promising.