Eric Schmidt on Google Now for iOS: 'You'll Need to Discuss That With Apple' [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Last week, Google apparently accidentally leaked a promotional video revealing that its Google Now app will be coming to iOS. Google Now is currently an Android-only app designed to automatically integrate relevant bits of information such as weather, traffic, appointments, and more into users' lives. The video was quickly removed, but Google had not issued a statement on its appearance.

iPhone Hacks now points to a Tweet from Techmeme editor Mahendra Palsule noting that Google Chairman Eric Schmidt was asked about Google Now coming to iOS at the company's Big Tent event in India today. According to the report, Schmidt suggested that whether or not Google Now comes to the App Store is currently up to Apple's reviewers. The exchange between Schmidt and The Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger appears nearly 18 minutes into the interview (via TechCrunch):

Q: When can I get Google Now on my iPhone?

A: On your iPhone? You'll need to discuss that with Apple. Apple has a policy of approving or disapproving apps that are submitted into its store, and some of the apps we make they approve and some of them they don't. They recently did approve Google Maps, thank goodness. [laughter] And without being too obnoxious, you have excellent vendors of Android choices for you in London, from many different suppliers.

Q: So, has Apple got a problem with Google Now?

A: That was an ambiguous statement. Does Apple have a problem with Google, or Google Now? [laughter]

Q: Sorry...Google Now. Capital letter.

A: Let me not talk about the specifics. I don't think they're particularly worried about Google Now.

Apple and Google obviously have had a contentious relationship as competition between iOS and Android has intensified in recent years. While Apple has generally approved Google's apps submitted to the App Store, there have in some cases been significant delays, as seen with Google Voice remaining in limbo for over a year before finally receiving approval.

Update 11:27 AM: Apple has informed CNET that Google has not submitted an iOS version of Google Now to the App Store for review.

Update 3:00 PM: Google has admitted to CNET that it has "not submitted Google Now to Apple's App Store."

Article Link: Eric Schmidt on Google Now for iOS: 'You'll Need to Discuss That With Apple' [Updated]

[newagemac]

I think I'll pass. I don't want Google's gimmicky spyware on my iPhone constantly burning up my battery so Google can continuously collect data on everything about me and profit off of my info and privacy without paying me.

And they definitely are not going to be allowed to track my children on their phones corrupting their minds with all the corporate advertising Google is fond of blasting all around the web.

By the way Schmidt, it's funny that on Android your actual competition (companies with Ad Blocking apps) seems to be the only apps specifically outlawed from Android and actually enforced. Tons of malware ok to leave in the Play Store but you sure made sure to remove all the ad blockers. Wow.

...

[AlphaVictor87]

This is the one thing i don't like about apple. They have the right to just not approve an app if they feel it causes competition or as i think apple puts it "confusions" between two competing apps and obviously theirs would win every time.

If they were confident in their products, they would approve every app as long as it passed their actual functionality specifications.

[NoNothing]

The question really is:

Did Google submit the App or not?

[hasanahmad]

Apple insistance of keeping full control of its ecosystem is the reason all apps work so well on iOS and also the reason future services which require full OS integration will be the deathknell of iOS

[needfx]

google should check for radiation poisoning, since the thermonuclear war is ongoing

[NoNothing]

Originally Posted by AlphaVictor87

This is the one thing i don't like about apple. They have the right to just not approve an app if they feel it causes competition or as i think apple puts it "confusions" between two competing apps and obviously theirs would win every time.

If they were confident in their products, they would approve every app as long as it passed their actual functionality specifications.

This is the thing I dislike about Google. Eric never once said they submitted the app for approval. It is easier to blame Apple.

[stuffradio]

Originally Posted by newagemac

I think I'll pass. I don't want Google's gimmicky spyware on my iPhone.

That's like saying you won't install Find my iPhone because you're afraid Apple will track you.

[rhett7660]

Originally Posted by AlphaVictor87

This is the one thing i don't like about apple. They have the right to just not approve an app if they feel it causes competition or as i think apple puts it "confusions" between two competing apps and obviously theirs would win every time.

If they were confident in their products, they would approve every app as long as it passed their actual functionality specifications.

Do you still think this is true? Heck we have so many map apps, podcasting apps, weather apps, stock apps etc that compete and are better in some cases than Apples own products.

[rusty2192]

I'm sure it was just a coincidence that that video "leaked" out. Perfect opportunity for him to take a cheap shot at Apple.

And I too want to know if the app has even been submitted.

[reyalP]

Originally Posted by newagemac

I think I'll pass. I don't want Google's gimmicky spyware on my iPhone.

Agreed! I wish they would never have let google maps onto the platform. Apples Maps will be better if enough people continue to use it.

[ammonkapow]

Originally Posted by rhett7660

Do you still think this is true? Heck we have so many map apps, podcasting apps, weather apps, stock apps etc that compete and are better in some cases than Apples own products.

If they didn't mind competition, they would let users decide default apps.

[CBJammin103]

If Apple released something identical to Google Now there would be a media firestorm about invasion of privacy.

Instead Google "accidentally leaks" the product and Apple gets railed for having a walled garden.

[Tiger8]

Originally Posted by newagemac

I think I'll pass. I don't want Google's gimmicky spyware on my iPhone.

I can't wait to get it! If it works as good as advertised, this is incredible.

if it was Apple Now, we would have been all about how this changes everything again! Remember Siri?

[UnfetteredMind]

Originally Posted by AlphaVictor87

This is the one thing i don't like about apple. They have the right to just not approve an app if they feel it causes competition or as i think apple puts it "confusions" between two competing apps and obviously theirs would win every time.

If they were confident in their products, they would approve every app as long as it passed their actual functionality specifications.

Do you have examples where they've actually done this? There are certainly plenty of examples of Apps that compete with Apples that have been approved and are in the App Store. So I guess my real question is, is this a real or imagined "problem"?

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by newagemac

I think I'll pass. I don't want Google's gimmicky spyware on my iPhone.

How is it spyware if you have to not only download it - but agree to the service terms? Silly comment.

[Superken7]

I think that, from what he says, it can be deduced that they either have already submitted it for review, or they are about to. Either way, it is or will be ultimately on Apple's hands to make the app available.

[chukronos]

Schmidt is a douche. Is he going to continually make the same statement with every software they make for ios? Time for some new material.

[jkichline]

Apple has a list of guidelines that are pretty straightforward that the rest of us have no problem following. So maybe try reading that and stop sounding like a sniveling, whiny moron.

[furqan8421]

Originally Posted by rhett7660

Do you still think this is true? Heck we have so many map apps, podcasting apps, weather apps, stock apps etc that compete and are better in some cases than Apples own products.

While true they don't provide any integration through no fault of their own

For example, I don't believe any GPS app lets you view the map data while the screen is locked, they don't let you use Siri, and I don't believe they show the next available turn (though I could be wrong on this) on the top of the display while you are using another app or on the home screen

[ArtOfWarfare]

You know, if Apple just published a list of apps they've reviewed or will review and the current status of all of them, that'd make it a lot easier to know if the ball is in Google's field or Apple's on this.

Apple could have a simple "opt out" button on iTunes Connect for developers who'd like to keep their app's existence a secret from competitors.

[apollo1444]

Arrogant attitude much? all that long explanation about apple being douchebags with apps just say at the end that apple doesn't give a crap about google now?

you know apple aren't douchebags against google, maybe it's their devs who aren't able to write good enough apps for the iOS user experience? like their laggy google maps app? (which i love by the way, but it lags like a motherf... anyway)

[dvoros]

Apple should be worried. They are falling behind in many areas. Smartphones and software as examples. The next iPhone release is minor with a whole year ahead to wait for the next major release. As for software, when has iLife and iWork been updated. They don't even discuss software enhancements any more. Nothing exciting here. The iWatch??? Give me a break.

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by chukronos

Schmidt is a douche. Is he going to continually make the same statement with every software they make for ios? Time for some new material.

I don't know - is Phil going to keep making uninformed and uneducated comments about Android every time a new phone comes out?

What do you expect him to say? He was asked a question. He didn't bring it up.

[rhett7660]

Originally Posted by ammonkapow

If they didn't mind competition, they would let users decide default apps.

That wasn't the question that was presented. Just the mere fact the apps are in the store tells me they don't mind competition.