Apple Losing Talent to Google Amid Push to Improve Spotlight and Launch Search Engine

[theinsaneworld]

I find it pretty funny that for all the people complaining about how Tim Cook does his job, Apple seems the most stable of its peers. Some are going to say that it’s because they act like a monopoly. Well, Google gets labeled as a monopoly. Microsoft is just as big and is entrenched. They all have varying degrees of issues.

This stuff is hard and no matter what, imperfect. Jobs, “the product genius”, was imperfect as well. Apple will need to do what it needs to do to keep the business stable.

Ultimately, I could care less about these companies. I’m more concerned with the employees getting laid off right before the holidays. Apple isn’t doing it, so that’s a good sign in my book.

 

[mpavilion]

Apple search generally sucks:

Spotlight search sucks
Finder search sucks
Siri search sucks
Apple Music search sucks
AppStore search sucks
Network Share search sucks

What's left to suck?
When I search for files, I simply open the terminal and use "find ./ -iname '*filename*'" command, it's at least reliable.

I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but even after all these years of using OS X, I can’t figure out how to search for a file in Spotlight and then open the containing folder (which is what I always want to do).

 

[cupcakes2000]

Sure right it’s PR spin!

Apple Is Tracking You Even When Its Own Privacy Settings Say It’s Not, New Research Says

An independent test suggests Apple collects data about you and your phone when its own settings promise to “disable the sharing of Device Analytics altogether.”

gizmodo.com

My problem isn’t what apple collects, it’s inherent in a phone eco system like theirs. It’s what they sell or pass on. As opposed to Google, et al, it’s nothing, and I’m ok with it.

If my threat model didn’t allow it then I would choose another phone eco system. But for the gen public, apples methods are infinitely better than the competition.

There is nothing like conflating Ed Snowden type privacy with the lax ad revenue selling data companies like Google, with a more privacy oriented outfit like Apple. None of those gel together.

I assure you, if it’s important, none of these are the way forwards. If it’s just a passing interest, then Apple with some knowledge of what’s occurring is the way forwards.

 

[nt5672]

I hear there are some great engineers from Meta and Twitter who are looking for jobs right now. No need for Apple to drop any heavy cash to poach away their talent.

You really think they actually fired the good ones. If so, I've a good deal on a bridge.

 

[nt5672]

When I search for files, I simply open the terminal and use "find ./ -iname '*filename*'" command, it's at least reliable.

Yep, for you info, find uses Spotlight. So what you're saying that that a command line interface is better UI the the GUI that Apple offers. And I have to agree.

 

[ipedro]

Another hint that Apple desperately wants to join the ad business?

If so, sad times for Apple...

This isn't necessarily about ads. It's easy to forget but when the iPhone launched, Google was Apple's primary partner. Google's CEO Eric Schmidt even sat on Apple's Board of Directors. Apple deferred to Google on Search, Maps and YouTube.

When Google became Apple's direct competitor as Android's parent company, Apple rushed to protect itself by developing Maps which was a critical component of any phone and Google was holding back features. Apple messed up by rushing into a replacement but today, Apple Maps is pretty damn good.

Enter Search. It's become obvious that over each generation of iOS, Spotlight Search has taken over more and more search results, fielding direct answers to questions and only showing Google (or DuckDuckGo, Bing, Yahoo) results when it can't answer itself. Google and Apple's rivalry isn't going anywhere so Apple has to build its own search engine and the best way to gather enough data to assemble a powerful machine model of relevant search results is to put it on the web.

 

[I7guy]

Which is the privacy company you mention?

Apple Is Tracking You Even When Its Own Privacy Settings Say It’s Not, New Research Says

An independent test suggests Apple collects data about you and your phone when its own settings promise to “disable the sharing of Device Analytics altogether.”

gizmodo.com

Yes. Does your data go outside of apple? Are they serving up ads for outside products? If not, to me there is no issue. Others feel differently of course.

 

[I7guy]

There are multiple ways one can search but by saying Apple is essentially already is in the search ad business, I was obviously referring to the business agreement which has Google paying Apple handsomely to make Google search the default and push Safari users to Google.

I know what you meant, and good for apple they can collect on a default that can be changed and that imo happen anyway even without the transaction.

 

[Abazigal]

It’s funny that when Apple didn’t have a search engine, people were pushing for Apple to develop one to give users an alternative to Google.

Now that news breaks of Apple reportedly trying to do so, they are accused of wanting to farm our user data for themselves.

Apple just can’t win, and it goes back to my burgeoning theory about how, as Apple goes on to be more and more successful, the haters are shifting their narrative from how Apple is doomed at the hands of countless android OEMS and shrinking market share, to blasting Apple for presumably being too rich and greedy.

Anything to avoid admitting they were wrong all along, and anything to avoid giving Apple the proper credit where credit is due.

 

[Pakaku]

OMG...the sky is falling. Again, according to the experts here. Will Apple survive? Keep your pearls nearby. The Apple is doomed tsunami is coming!

Not sure if doomed, but their integrity is really lacking these days

 

[Pakaku]

It’s funny that when Apple didn’t have a search engine, people were pushing for Apple to develop one to give users an alternative to Google.

Now that news breaks of Apple reportedly trying to do so, they are accused of wanting to farm our user data for themselves.

Apple just can’t win, and it goes back to my burgeoning theory about how, as Apple goes on to be more and more successful, the haters are shifting their narrative from how Apple is doomed at the hands of countless android OEMS and shrinking market share, to blasting Apple for presumably being too rich and greedy.

Anything to avoid admitting they were wrong all along, and anything to avoid giving Apple the proper credit where credit is due.

Nothing is wrong with them making a search engine, it's the data-mining that's the issue, and a separate issue from whether they have a search engine or not

 

[vikingjunior]

Can we just make Siri useful and improve dictation?

Siri is hopeless just let us use Google Assistant as default.

 

[ian87w]

Apple is having an HR problem. Something is rotting inside. When Apple is so willing to just let go their own ML head just because WFO policy, it showed something is not working in their HR team. Any normal company would try to negotiate, but Apple seems to just "oh too bad, bye." It's no longer about keeping talent, it's about top-down policies, it seems.

 

[genovelle]

I really love my Apple stuff, but does Apple really need to do everything?

Isn't it spreading itself too thin?

Do I really want my entire hardware, software and service experience hooked to a single company?

Yes you do. Apple knows that having a major competitor control a large part of your user experience is dangerous. Especially one that has proven time and time again they will turn and bite you without warning.

 

[genovelle]

Siri is hopeless just let us use Google Assistant as default.

Dictation works well for me. I’ve dictated whole papers for college to get my thoughts down quickly. Very little editing required

 

[Klae17]

That is what happens when the guy in charge only cares about money and hardware supply.

The person in charge should be tech aware and understand the software supply chain. Clearly that does not exist at Apple. With services becoming more important it is time for a change.

And who do you think has been the rockstar that has increased the profits from services? Tim Cook.

 

[rp2011]

Apple's search systems, depending on where it is, can be awful. Some are good, but Apple Music is not.

Apple Music is the worst. I always forget that I have to delete it. And it seems Apple pourpously tries to hide its controls when it pops up out of nowhere playing to make it difficult to shut off and go away. Absolutely hate it. I consider it malware.

 

[Abazigal]

Do I really want my entire hardware, software and service experience hooked to a single company?

I do.

 

[ian87w]

I really love my Apple stuff, but does Apple really need to do everything?

Isn't it spreading itself too thin?

Do I really want my entire hardware, software and service experience hooked to a single company?

It's called vertical integration, and it's every businesses' dream. Vertical integration saves cost and maximize profit as you control everything from top to bottom.

 

[ian87w]

“Privacy is a fundamental human right. It’s also one of our core values. Which is why we design our products and services to protect it. That’s the kind of innovation we believe in.” -Apple

So is getting paid $15B a year to have Google as your default search engine on your device. Got it. 😆

Remember, Apple's goal is to be green, as green as the mighty dollar.

 

[averagemacrumorsenjoyer]

Mixed feelings about this. On one hand, this is definitely counter to Apple’s privacy-first marketing. On the other hand, Google is a total monopoly, and Apple is one of the few companies which could offer some actual competition.

 

[svish]

Siri has got to improve a lot! Hopefully we see improvements soon.

 

[mjs916]

Meanwhile, could they simply add Neeva as a default search option for the OS and Safari?

Never heard of Neeva. I could do a search for it but I’d like your opinion.

What’s it’s angle?

 

[mjs916]

Always good to see search engine options different from Google and Bing. Apple should make their own search engine.

Apple should make their own smart assistant first…

Yeah I’m throwing shade at Siri, but if an Apple search engine can drive and improve Siri, then I’m all for it’s development.

I don’t need another website with a search box. I want the Star Trek or Jetsons computer. I have strong suspicions Google will get there first but still… an ACTUALLY privacy focused Apple would get my business off they could somehow make that work.

 

[sorgo †]

It will be the Safari of Search Engines.

Let's just hope it isn't the Siri of them...