Google and TweetDeck Executives Respond to Jobs' Anti-Android Comments

[Glideslope]

I liked Steve a lot better when he was sitting back and quietly kicking ass instead of calling people out every other day.

Well, that world is gone forever. Steve takes just as much if not more than he gives.

The Gloves are off in the race to "The Clouds", and we are only using Hickory Sticks at this point. Wait till this time next year.

Try to remember what Steve said in the call. "We have trained for the last 10 years to make the iPad ( Production in Huge Numbers)". There is not a company in this arena today that can even come close to Apple's ability to "Remove the Middle Man".

They are more scared over their inability to produce product, than to innovate. Which in turn allows Apple to innovate faster, cheaper, and on a larger scale globally speaking.

Android sales in the US are meaningless. The assimilation continues.

Kick the Hornet's Nest Steve.

 

[Xtremehkr]

He's right though, as decent as Windows 7 is, it's years too late and still isn't a patch on OS X's latest instalment.

Regarding his other points, about Microsoft's engineer's quitting, etc ... I'm not aware of that. However, under Ballmer's stewardship, Microsoft are in a bit of a free fall and are not the company they were under Gates.

And the shareholders are beginning to get restless and impatient with Ballmer, depending on who you listen to of course.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/18/ray-ozzie-microsofts-chie_n_767092.html

Ray Ozzie has left Microsoft.

 

[maka]

Now what if you are a big iTunes user and have a huge library of music. How easily does that come over to your Android phone? Now what if you want to integrate all the photos and movies you have on your computer....how easily does that come over to your phone?
)

I use Missing Sync to load music from iTunes to my Android phone without problems. It's even automatic... (And you can sync movies, photos, contacts, calendars, notes, etc... As simple as clicking a button). For books, Aldiko is great and you can buy books from the app, but there are other apps you can use with no trouble too, and you won't get books removed because they have controversial topics, nudity or sex

AHAHAHAHAHA.

Do you understand what a customer wants? A customer doesn't want choice. A customer doesn't purchase a product because he wants choice. A customer purchases a product because HE WANTS TO USE IT. Do you understand that? PEOPLE IN THE REAL WORLD don't care about anything else. All this "Apple decides" and "More choices" doesn't matter to the end user.

They don't give a ratsass who runs Apple or Google or what either companies are trying to "achieve". They want something simple and easy to use. They want to download a game or an app. Not "think" where to look or spend time "creating accounts" in every store.

99.9% of all world nerds will never ever EVER understand how Apple works because both have fundamentally different views of what a consumer wants from a product. The nerds think THEY are the consumer. Apple thinks otherwise.

I disagree... Anyone may want to use their phone's internet connection from another device at some point. They can't on iPhone. Anyone may want to view flash videos or read websites with Flash content. They can't on iPhone. Add to an arbitrary censoring process which removes any kind of nudity (sexual or not) or apps with swear words, duplicate functionality, emulators etc... (You can't even get an alternative web browser if it's not based on Apple's code).

Limited choice matters to everyone, geek or not.

 

[AidenShaw]

I want to blame this on his illness...messed up his brain chemistry or something.

The SJ Mercury News front page headline today was "Apple Surges, but Jobs Erupts".

Not good when the home town daily implies that the CEO is an ass.

It really does look like the turtlenecked overlord is joining Howard Hughes in the "reclusive billionaires' loony bin". I wonder if he's stocking up on Mason jars....

 

[aohus]

just when i thought highly of jobs again from the CultofMac article, Jobs does a self-character assassination.

 

[mccldwll]

The more times I hear Jobs open is mouth the more I think he is just like the point hair boss.

Completely clueless on how things really work.

Very funny. I believe that's referred to as "the pot calling the kettle black."

 

[macsmurf]

As someone who designs apps and software for iOS devices, I'm all too aware of the vast trench over which the two sides of this argument can't meet. The geeks don't understand that Steve is talking about UX when he says "open." The geeks, of which Google is the primary cheerleader, love to confuse people by asserting open source software is "open." The implication, of course, is that the UX is better because you don't have arbitrary restrictions placed on it. However, the opposite is true. But you can't blame them, it's the only marketing leverage they have: "we're open and, sometimes, cheaper."

This thread is actually quite unique on MR in that a lot of people who commented were developers. A number of good points were made before the fan fest took over, so you might actually benefit from reading the thread instead of just referring to whatever geeks you're talking about.

I think anyone who knows the business knows where Apple are coming from and what Apple have been aiming for since the beginning, really. However, it doesn't make sense to say that this is what Jobs refers to when he says "open". You could have made the same assertion if he'd said "cucumber".

Jobs tried to paint Android development as a nightmarish scenario and, as it turned out, the developers he referred to disagreed with him. That's it.

Fragmentation also refers to an integrated ecosystem. People here are just referring to apps. What about when it comes to music, movies, books, podcasts, etc. How easy is it to do all of this on a Android phone. Can you rent a movie and watch it on a plane (maybe perhaps from a Netflix type app?). Can you download music from the biggest online music store in the world that is integrated right into your phone? Maybe you can buy music from Amazon or something and then put it into your music management system in the Android phone...or use some app I am not aware of? The point is that ANYONE can EASILY do all of this on a iPhone.

I think Apple are the kings of the "product as a system" approach. I also think this approach has a lot of merit. BUT realizing that Jobs shot his mouth off (again) doesn't really mean that Apple's approach is wrong and that you need to step up and defend the realm.

Yes, it is unbelievably painfully obvious that Apple strive to create a complete experience for the user and that Google have a very different perspective and agenda. Apple also happen to be really really good at what they do. So maybe just leave it at that instead of trying to redefine openness?

 

[John.B]

No? Then why do they reply with "mkdir android ; cd android ; repo init -u git://android.git.kernel.org/platform/manifest.git ; repo sync ; make"

Can you run that on your Droid X? How open is it really, if the manufacturers and mobile telecomm companies lock down the firmware (all with Google's blessing)? This is all theoretical for basically any average Android user.

(And I think he's missing a few commands... )

 

[hashholly]

The SJ Mercury News front page headline today was "Apple Surges, but Jobs Erupts".

Not good when the home town daily implies that the CEO is an ass.

It really does look like the turtlenecked overlord is joining Howard Hughes in the "reclusive billionaires' loony bin". I wonder if he's stocking up on Mason jars....

The bigger question is so what? I think this would be a bigger concern if Apple wasn't producing quality products, or if the stock plummeted because of his words, or if Apple wasn't making money hand over fist. Frankly its nice to see someone so passionate about their work, and actually have the results to back it up.

 

[macsmurf]

(And I think he's missing a few commands... )

He is:

curl http://android.git.kernel.org/repo > ~/bin/repo ; chmod a+x ~/bin/repo ; sudo port install git-core ;

 

[AidenShaw]

The bigger question is so what?

The "so what" is that the newspaper (which is typically strongly pro-Apple) stated in a headline on its front page its opinion that the iCEO made an unwarranted emotional outburst.

It shouldn't be necessary to explain the significance of that.

(But in case you don't grok the headline, the paper is suggesting that Jobs is losing his marbles. )

 

[samcraig]

The bigger question is so what? I think this would be a bigger concern if Apple wasn't producing quality products, or if the stock plummeted because of his words, or if Apple wasn't making money hand over fist. Frankly its nice to see someone so passionate about their work, and actually have the results to back it up.

Actually - Apple lost 8.51 points today. Granted the market was down. But given the incredible news last night you might think it would at least hold its position.

On the flip side - Google lost 9.88 points. But I doubt that had anything to do with Jobs' comments

 

[hashholly]

The "so what" is that the newspaper (which is typically strongly pro-Apple) stated in a headline on its front page its opinion that the iCEO made an unwarranted emotional outburst.

It shouldn't be necessary to explain the significance of that.

(But in case you don't grok the headline, the paper is suggesting that Jobs is losing his marbles. )

Again, so what? A newspaper said he over did it, once again, so what? What exactly does that change? As i said, Apple is making money hand over fist, and as long as that continues, the shareholders could care less what he says. Frankly, do you think the general public really cares that much? People will still buy iPads, iPods, Macs, so once again i say, so what? Hell, I find the whole thing entertaining.

 

[samcraig]

The "so what" is that the newspaper (which is typically strongly pro-Apple) stated in a headline on its front page its opinion that the iCEO made an unwarranted emotional outburst.

It shouldn't be necessary to explain the significance of that.

(But in case you don't grok the headline, the paper is suggesting that Jobs is losing his marbles. )

Indeed. As I said many pages back - Jobs is a great marketer. But in the PR department - he's a hot mess and a huge liability.

The notion that any press is good press is a fallacy. The notion that Apple is (still) the underdog is also a fallacy.

 

[hashholly]

Actually - Apple lost 8.51 points today. Granted the market was down. But given the incredible news last night you might think it would at least hold its position.

On the flip side - Google lost 9.88 points. But I doubt that had anything to do with Jobs' comments

9/10 Apple loses points after a major announcement of any kind, this is nothing new, lets see where the stock is in a month.

 

[-AG-]

Amen. I can't believe people are really buying into Google's propaganda. Google. A for-profit corporation. That wants your data so it can push advertising at you. "Open?" Hilarious.

The biggest tech snow job I can recall since Microsoft's "The Freedom To Innovate" astroturfing campaign. "A future we do not want???" Here's a future I don't want: a future where Google is the exclusive gatekeeper of the world's information.

Choose the best device for your needs. But spare us the "Android is open and Google loves me" baloney.

Best comment of the whole thread.

Much respect to you.

 

[echo44]

The point!

I listened to the conference very carefully and my take.
This is an earnings conference where the company talks about
their business including future plans. we(investors) were teated to
the opportunity to hear how the CEO sees the future which is very important to stock holders. I didn't get the feeling Steve was trying to bash anyone.
Apple has a philosophy that it is their job to control and be responsible 100% for the users experience on their devices. He said this many times! Its a company wide philosophy. All he was doing is expressing this policy and describing how this fundamental policy is incorporated into current and future products. He laid out an argument on why he feels the "integrated approach" will win out. Listen to the call for yourself and count how many times he says
"I believe or we believe as a company" He has a vision and he is executing a vision. As an investor this is very helpful to understand the key driving force behind the companies decisions. Steve was just being open to how he feels the future will be and why apple is positioning their company the way they have been. Success is measured objectively by their earnings of 20 billion in one quarter. Google will earn around 10 billion for the whole year!! Thankfully in this world consumers have a choice of what products to buy. Apple makes amazing products and the consumers are rewarding the company by purchasing their products. Google is also an amazing company but has a different business model. As an investor it is awesome that the CEO is willing to come out and tell us the exact strategy Apple is using to run its business. Did you guys listen when he was asked what Apple would do
if companies tried to dominate the market by releasing less empowered smart phones at significantly lower cost. He said(listen for yourself) we will not sacrifice user experience to maintain market leadership! In other words Apple has real values to produce amazing products as their first and primary goal .

 

[AidenShaw]

Again, so what? A newspaper said he over did it, once again, so what?

Oh jeez....

The "so what" is that the big investors who drive Apple stock price are not the blind fanbois who are so common here on MacRumours.

They are most likely very nervous about the Lord God Jobs "star power", and what will happen to the stock if he suddenly is removed from the scene. Evidence that he's lost his marbles is nearly as bad as his disappearance.

Investors do not want one person's petulant emotions driving the corporation's direction.

The Apple faithful should hope that it's a chemical imbalance that the overlord's doctors can correct.

Wise Apple investors should look at cashing in and making other investments - Apple's had a good run but if the boardroom is run by "Looney Tunes" consider moving your money now.

 

[hashholly]

Oh jeez....

The "so what" is that the big investors who drive Apple stock price are not the blind fanbois who are so common here on MacRumours.

They are most likely very nervous about the Lord God Jobs "star power", and what will happen to the stock if he suddenly is removed from the scene. Evidence that he's lost his marbles is nearly as bad as his disappearance.

Investors do not want one person's petulant emotions driving the corporation's direction.

The Apple faithful should hope that it's a chemical imbalance that the overlord's doctors can correct.

Wise Apple investors should look at cashing in and making other investments - Apple's had a good run but if the boardroom is run by "Looney Tunes" consider moving your money now.

Yes, and these big investors you speak of consider pulling out their money everytime Steve Jobs has an e-mail argument with someone, and it gets made public?

Consider for a second, that Apple is a tech company that sells expensive products, and during a recession continues to make billions each and every quarter, and you think they are seriously considering pulling out over this? LOL, i think you should consider your own "chemical imbalance", because that sounds pretty crazy to me.

 

[carmenodie]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Eff Android!!
If Apple wasn't making it rain on them mofos the players in this game would never get off their a**es and do the damn thing!!
And if Apple called it quits tomorrow no one would step up and do it like them. It'll be lazy a** products and BS all around.
The other day I was on my iPad and just sat in awe at how awesome it responded. The top to bottom fit and finish is beyond reproach.

 

[AidenShaw]

Yes, and these big investors you speak of consider pulling out their money everytime Steve Jobs has an e-mail argument with someone, and it gets made public?

Of course not.

But a pattern of irrational actions by the Apple "star", however, will give them pause. No other company of Apple's size has such a personality cult about the CEO.

Jobs' "eruption" at the earnings call was damaging to Jobs and to Apple. If his trainers are able to keep him in line, the damage will be minimal. If he becomes more erratic and outspoken, it won't be minimal.

An earlier comment about "character self-assasination" is very appropriate.

 

[krzyglue]

Link please? How do "sales numbers" correlate with "switching over in droves" exactly? The majority of Android users I know only got an Android device because the iPhone is not available on their carrier of choice. I don't know anyone who chose an Android device over an iPhone when both were a viable option.

Let's get the iPhone on Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile and see about all this "switching over in droves," hmm?

I'm willing to wager Android is more a reluctant second choice by necessity rather than a willful first choice for most Android users.

Well, for starters, every Android user in Canada did. The iPhone is on all three major carriers around where I live (Rogers, Telus, and Bell).

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

Well at least he didn't say anything about Adobe.

 

[krzyglue]

Yeah, because I can always get my information from...AltaVista?

Google is becoming the only game in town when it comes to Web information. If that isn't extremely worrisome to you then I don't know what to say.

I don't understand how not having a serious competitor = not "open". You only prove how brilliant Google was in creating a product where you (the user) feels powerless without it. Doesn't say anything about corporate philosophy, etc.

 

[Bernard SG]

The only think that irks me about developing for iOS or OS X is Objective-C. That is honestly the bigger deal to me as a developer. Most guys out there will know .NET or Java- a lot less likely you'll find someone who already knows Objective-C, unless you specifically recruit for that.... and then you're picking from a shallow pool. Android gets the nod here for being able to leverage the a skill set that some engineers have been using for well over 10 years.

On the other hand, Obj-C is gaining in popularity and entered the Top 10 in the TIOBE index; so it seems reasonable to think that your point is going to become less and less of an issue in the near future.