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Apple's Rivalry With Google Gets Personal
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Are you sure about that? Unless you can magically see the future, I wouldnt be speaking in such absolutes.
Android as "Open Source"
Yes, obviously it's running a modified version of the Linux kernel, which it hasn't been very good about coordinating with Linux dev. (2.6.33 has dropped Android support) because it really doesn't give a damn about open source. Everything that makes Android Android was created in house by Google.
And the end result is that Google is the dominant software on the system, and end users get funneled through the Google advertising machine.
Is it using Linux codebase? Yes. Has there ever been an open source project that was so specifically designed to benefit one company. No.
So, "open source" is a means to an end for Google. To think that Google actually believes in open source as something that doesn't involve Google's economic interests is naive. Google is a giant blood sucker who is positioning itself to be the sole beneficiary of open source development.
Yes, obviously it's running a modified version of the Linux kernel, which it hasn't been very good about coordinating with Linux dev. (2.6.33 has dropped Android support) because it really doesn't give a damn about open source. Everything that makes Android Android was created in house by Google.
And the end result is that Google is the dominant software on the system, and end users get funneled through the Google advertising machine.
Is it using Linux codebase? Yes. Has there ever been an open source project that was so specifically designed to benefit one company. No.
So, "open source" is a means to an end for Google. To think that Google actually believes in open source as something that doesn't involve Google's economic interests is naive. Google is a giant blood sucker who is positioning itself to be the sole beneficiary of open source development.
I really think any animosity between these two companies will ultimately have to give way to a practical reality: Apple and Google need each other, and any attempt to cut each other out would do a lot of damages to their business.
Apple needs Google because Google's services are unbelievably popular on the internet. Any attempt to eliminate Google from Macs or the iPhone would not be well received at all. Make Bing the default search - maybe. Eliminate Google altogether - not a good plan. Plus Google's g-mail is huge, and their mapping service is by far the best currently. Bottom line, is most people use some Google product, and a lot of people use a lot of Google products. Eliminate the ability to use these, and people may look at something other than Apple for their mobile device / computer needs.
Google needs Apple simply because Google's whole business model revolves around being present in as many people as possible's internet usage pattern. Cutting Macs, and more importantly, iPhones, out of that would be seriously limiting. In fact, eliminating iPhones would make the future of Google services in the mobile sphere in question.
So I think what you are seeing between these two is a lot of huffing and puffing. A lot of talk. Eventually it will calm down and the relationship will be like that between MS and Apple - competitive in some areas, cooperative in others, and insuring inter-operability because it is in both's best interest.
Apple needs Google because Google's services are unbelievably popular on the internet. Any attempt to eliminate Google from Macs or the iPhone would not be well received at all. Make Bing the default search - maybe. Eliminate Google altogether - not a good plan. Plus Google's g-mail is huge, and their mapping service is by far the best currently. Bottom line, is most people use some Google product, and a lot of people use a lot of Google products. Eliminate the ability to use these, and people may look at something other than Apple for their mobile device / computer needs.
Google needs Apple simply because Google's whole business model revolves around being present in as many people as possible's internet usage pattern. Cutting Macs, and more importantly, iPhones, out of that would be seriously limiting. In fact, eliminating iPhones would make the future of Google services in the mobile sphere in question.
So I think what you are seeing between these two is a lot of huffing and puffing. A lot of talk. Eventually it will calm down and the relationship will be like that between MS and Apple - competitive in some areas, cooperative in others, and insuring inter-operability because it is in both's best interest.
Friendly competition is good. But when it gets personal like this it is only going to harm both companies.
The WM7 GUI looks quite nice, especially compared to the current WM abomination. Microsoft aren't making hardware themselves (AFAIK), but have specified a great GPUand quality hi-resolution capacitance screen in a nice form factor. Their upcoming phones are expected to be of excellent caliber.
Apple will of course make improvements as well. I hope we get a forward facing camera, a better camera for photos, LED flash, and a 640x960 screen (to keep up with 480x800 that other platforms offer while allowing existing iPhone apps to be double-pixelated like they will be on the iPad).
But either way, the point is that Microsoft will for the first time have a decent finger-input touchscreen phone. Even if it's not as good as the next generation iPhone, it doesn't have to be; it just has to be good enough for people who want Xbox integration or better Office compatibility and Exchange support. And keep in mind that a *lot* of people dislike Apple for their lack of cheap hardware and their smarminess (regardless of whether it's perceived or real).
It's not about customers being turned off by an Apple/Google rivalry. My concern is that Microsoft, though currently doing poorly in the mobile space, is being underestimated. Between XBox, Exchange, and Windows' and Office's high marketshare, Microsoft has many angles from which to push their own mobile platform. They have a history of successfully coming from behind by copying and improving on competitors' products and engaging in FUD and EEE. They are not afraid to abuse their Windows monopoly and they're willing to expend enormous resources into their failing lines to protect their cashcow products from possible attacks from other directions.
I agree with you that most iPhone customer's are not even aware of the app approval process, however, resentment is building amongst those who know and it doesn't take long for something like that to become more mainstream. I already know some developers who are shunning the iPhone platform and some users who are not buying an iPad because they're angry over Apple's app-approval process.
Sorry to interrupt you. But did you actually hear about the Google Street View-discussion, that we had in Germany? I know, it's just some closed-minded thing for you Americans, but I personally would love to have some privacy.
Street View will face major opposing stuff here in Germany. And I don't see a point in offering Street View, that caters in ad delivering.
And, well, this has nothing to do with Google, as they are using data, people are posting voluntarily on Twitter and such. But definitely check out http://pleaserobme.com/
I find it a shame, I'd like to see Apple & Google close (again).
But, more recently, I find Google being increasing jackasses. Google seems to be 'doing everything' - and doing it 'fast' without much care..
But, more recently, I find Google being increasing jackasses. Google seems to be 'doing everything' - and doing it 'fast' without much care..
Does this remind anyone else of the plot behind "Pirates of Silicon Valley?"
Jobs was nice to Gates until ol' Bill went and carved a slice of that delicious pie out for himself. I swear to God, Steve Jobs will never learn. This is so similar it's eerie.
Pride will come before the fall, Steve. You're fighting wars on too many fronts, making too many enemies.
But I still love your fantastic, candy coated products.
Jobs was nice to Gates until ol' Bill went and carved a slice of that delicious pie out for himself. I swear to God, Steve Jobs will never learn. This is so similar it's eerie.
Pride will come before the fall, Steve. You're fighting wars on too many fronts, making too many enemies.
But I still love your fantastic, candy coated products.
Did you just make this up? Android market share has been up every month since the holidays. Please show some proof if you are going to make a bold statement like this.
Multi-touch Office will be coming, since Windows 7 has pervasive
multi-touch support in the desktop OS.
Well, if you trust Google I'd worry about this bridge in Bangkok!
Attachments
If Apple replaces Google search with Bing, the iPhone will become useless. I will definitely switch over to an Android phone if Apple does that. Google search is an imperative for me.
Focus Guys
Google should stick with their search engine and advertising markets. The book scanning fits in well and they can make that work with iBooks as a supplier. Google's spying on the iPhone to steal it for Android was foul play. Together they can do a lot of good things. If they keep fighting I'll lay my money on Apple kicking Google's butt in the phone/device/OS and media sales markets. Easily.
Google should stick with their search engine and advertising markets. The book scanning fits in well and they can make that work with iBooks as a supplier. Google's spying on the iPhone to steal it for Android was foul play. Together they can do a lot of good things. If they keep fighting I'll lay my money on Apple kicking Google's butt in the phone/device/OS and media sales markets. Easily.
Multi-touch Office will be coming, since Windows 7 has pervasive
multi-touch support in the desktop OS.
Well, if you trust Google I'd worry about this bridge in Bangkok!
That's just one little piece of data in the UNIVERSE of the internet. Google SEARCH is much much better than Bing. I tried switching over. I used Bing for a whole week. Then I switched back to Google. Google SEARCH is far better than Bing. And, a good search engine is VERY important to me in a smartphone.
What a strange thing to say. Pundits claimed the iPad was going to cost $1,000 or more back before it was announced. Nope. It starts at less than half that at only $499 with free shipping worth another $25 bringing the price down to $474. Competitors are blown away because they can't produce a device that good, or even close, for a wholesale price that low. Yet Apple's got over $200 more margin to play with for educational and corporate discounts as well as future price adjusting.
Macintosh computers also last longer and hold their value better allowing for a better resale value when you do go to upgrade. This further drops the cost of ownership.
Furthermore, PC magazine studies have repeatedly shown that the cost of ownerships of a Macintosh is less than half of a Windows machine. The myth of Apple being expensive is just that, a myth.
Still, if you like buying cheap imitations, get a Yugo of computing and go putt-putt half way home.
Apple makes top quality hardware and software that is fully integrated and allows me to focus on getting my work done. That's what I pay for and I would pay more for it.
Here are the problems with your post.
1) No one is saying Bing will replace Google, other than as a default. You will likely be able to set it to google, just like you can set it to yahoo. And if not, there's nothing stopping you from going to www.google.com. You can even make a desktop icon that goes straight to google.
2) The iPhone does not become useless even if bing is the default search engine. That's just silly.
3) It is unlikely that "google search is an imperative" for anyone. I love google search as much as the next guy, but I'm not going on antidepressants if Apple changes its default search engine.
Had to re-read the article first, but it basically boils down to what cmaier said [see below].
Thank you for clearing this up. My bad.
Edit: Steve Jobs feels betrayed by Trojan horse Google, and I can't blame Jobs for thinking this way.
The only winner coming out of this 3 way battle if Apple and Microsoft do team up--will Be Microsoft.
When the Microsoft--Apple alliance finally defeats Google--Microsoft turns against Apple and defeats them.
Neither Microsoft or Google have fidelity.
When the Microsoft--Apple alliance finally defeats Google--Microsoft turns against Apple and defeats them.
Neither Microsoft or Google have fidelity.
Perhaps you've got a point. Then again, you know what you're doing is being tracked, so if it's in a gray area or worse, maybe it's time to join tor or something.
You can have a phone running Android without any of the proprietary Google stuff. There are two versions of the OS -- completely open source and interlaced with Google. If you're anything like me though, the Google stuff is what makes things like the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android devices so useful. They didn't get big by making lousy software, they got big by making good software.
Isn't this a subjective and individual matter of preference? It is possible to run Android without any Google proprietary software. When I had an iPhone, my most-used apps were created by Google. When I had a BlackBerry, my most-used apps were created by Google. Again, they make things that work and work well.
It's tough for me to think anything is created without economic interests in mind. I'd argue Google isn't the only beneficiary, though. Everyone in the OHA stands to gain from this project.
Please do interrupt, I'm hoping to have a conversation about this.
I hadn't heard about the street-view discussion. Streetview makes their maps app better. I use it quite a bit to see the place I'm going to. Ads show up on maps here now. I don't think augmented-reality ads are that big of a stretch, but YMMV.
The biggest disagreement I've noticed in these privacy issues is between people who value their individuality very differently. Fair enough, different people have different perspectives. There are alternatives though. Google isn't a monopoly.
It'll be interesting to see what the mobile landscape looks like 10 years from now. Just look at how far Apple has come since 2000 and how far Yahoo has fallen. Nothing lasts forever.