Google Claims Apple Follows Its Lead in Smartphone Innovation: 'We Take It As a Compliment'

[hippopotamusglorypig]

I use both a Pixel phone and an iPad Pro, and have used various iPhones in the past. They're definitely not wrong that Google's version of Android has a lot of useful features that you can't often find on other phones like Hold for Me and Call Screening, and a more intuitive (subjective determination) OS. And it's also true that a lot of features that are only now coming to the iPhone have existed on Pixel phones and various other Android devices for years. But it's also true that Google's version of Android is butt ugly, and I would hesitate to use a more recent Pixel device owing to the switch to Tensor and the attendant, sometimes quite dire bugs.

I totally get why people crap on Android and love iOS. It's gorgeous to look at and the animations are impressively sleek, and it integrates well with other Apple devices. But it's hard to deny that Google is doing a lot of impressive things on smartphones, clunky as the animations may be and as obviously poorly run a company as they are. And I've certainly experienced more bugs and frustrations on my iPad than on my old, mid-budget, comically underpowered Pixel 3a.

It's good to have options and to keep an open mind!

 

[_Spinn_]

Apple may not be first but they usually do it better once they finally get around to adding a new feature.

 

[AirunJae]

If Google were REALLY concerned, they could fix this overnight by adopting RCS in their Google Messages app for iOS. However, it appears that they are not that way inclined.

I don't believe that they have a Google Messages app for iOS. Even if they did, that would require users to use an additional app with Apple's Messages, which is very unlikely to happen in the US (I'll admit, this is mostly a US-centric issue). Apple supports SMS as a fallback, they can do the same for RCS since it's a better (even if imperfect) standard that would be more in line with their privacy and security standards than SMS is.

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

While Google would like pretend, RCS isn’t a standard. There are many different implementations of RCS on the wireless carriers side. It’s a mess and Apple generally don’t wade into messes, since they lead to sub-optimal user experiences.

 

[JKAussieSkater]

Ask Google. There’s an iOS version of Google’s messaging app on iOS. Ask them why they haven’t added RCS to that yet.

I believe RCS is a protocol that only works with telephone service providers… iOS apps can only negotiate with the internet or the APIs Apple provides…

So either Apple needs to create an API that would interface with RCS via the telephone service provider, or Apple needs to make their own Messages app do it.

Basically, Google can’t do it.

 

[felixen]

After skimming through this article I watched the video below on the new pixel watch and phone. Quite a few ironic instances here

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I don't believe that they have a Google Messages app for iOS.

You’re right, there’s not a Google Messages app because Google rolled Google Messages into their new Google Chat app (forgive me, with over 10 failed attempts at messaging, one forgets which one of Google’s messaging apps is current).

Even if they did, that would require users to use an additional app with Apple's Messages, which is very unlikely to happen in the US.

Here’s the thing, if they were offering something compelling, there’s nothing that could prevent Apple users from downloading it. The fact is, they’re not offering anything over and above what’s already available via many many different means, whether it’s WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal or anything else.

Apple supports SMS as a fallback, they can do the same for RCS since it's a better (even if imperfect) standard that would be more in line with their privacy and security standards than SMS is.

The US carriers (and you’re right, it doesn’t matter anywhere else because they’re already using WhatsApp or something else) support SMS. The US carriers do NOT support RCS. That’s the biggest difference between SMS/MMS and RCS. You’ll notice the US carriers don’t say they support RCS, they support Google RCS which is different.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I believe RCS is a protocol that only works with telephone service providers… iOS apps can only negotiate with the internet or the APIs Apple provides…

So either Apple needs to create an API that would interface with RCS via the telephone service provider, or Apple needs to make their own Messages app do it.

Basically, Google can’t do it.

RCS only works with telephone service providers, that’s correct. “Google RCS” which is NOT “RCS” is a fork of RCS that goes around the service providers (because the US service providers gave up working together on an RCS solution in 2021). Because of “Google RCS” doesn’t require service providers in order to work, Google COULD add their “Google RCS” messaging to the Google Chat app in the same way that they added it to the Google Messages app on Android.

Google CAN enable their Google RCS wherever they want to, they just have a point they’re trying to make, curiously enough, ONLY in the US.

 

[nullsleep]

Don't rush to defend Apple. Can't deny that Google has a point.

And our beloved Apple is turning into a marketing company under our watch.

What are you talking bout? google yesterday unveiled Faceid, Cinematic Mode, resolution crops, etc as if they were new features but they have already been on iPhones for a long time. Apple could claim how the competition has copied all their features in every keynote and ad if they wanted to. There is no worse blind man than the one who doesn't want to see.

 

[nullsleep]

Didn't google yesterday unveiled Faceid, Cinematic Mode, resolution crops, etc as if they were new features? Those have already been on iPhones for a long time. Apple could claim how the competition has copied all their features in every keynote and ad if they wanted to.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Complimenting yourself is not a compliment — it just displays your vulnerability.

There are brilliant people that work at both companies, and some features take years to develop, so it is a waste of time to claim that one “invented” an idea and the other copied it. The key is the execution and implementation of an idea — not the idea itself.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

I gotta give it to Google on this one, that is a hilarious joke.

 

[Chazak]

How is it that hard to add an AdBlocker on your Samsung? Just install Firefox and uBlock Origin and you're all set.
I wish I could say the same about my iPhone - on which Firefox is not Firefox (with its own Gecko Engine) but a mere skin of Safari - on which blocking is a real mess to put it mildly.

I have very effectively been using 1Blocker on all my devices for some time. Works very well for me.

 

[vikingjunior]

Google dropped the ball on Hangouts which had the potential to make iMessage irrelevant. Whoever made the decision to kill Hangouts is to blame not Apple.

 

[gund1234]

Which is why you find in some tech circles Apple is referred to as a 'copier' of tech rather than an 'innovator' of tech.

Edit: I see with the downvotes there are a lot of grumpy Apple fans. Truth hurts doesn't it and yes I am a long time Apple user.

just because Apple copied some features doesn't mean it is copier.
Apple has the ability to do it better (overall product, with some compromises).
before iPhone was released none of the smart phones were usable.
we have to give credit to Apple.
Android copied the whole touch screen UI from iPhone. on the surface it looks easy to come up with navigation on touch screen but in reality it is not easy to come with UI/navigation using tough that never existed before.

 

[Stunning_Sense4712]

Don't rush to defend Apple. Can't deny that Google has a point.

And our beloved Apple is turning into a marketing company under our watch.

It seems like Google is playing catchup with Apple Watch. That does not even include the fact Google does not even have a similar health app which can integrate with your electronic health records if your provider supports the feature.

 

[Stunning_Sense4712]

9 in 10 US teens use iPhone and may continue using Apple devices for the rest of their lives. I'm sure Google would love it if Apple removed their biggest selling point and differentiator, iMessage.

The US DOJ might force the issue if it is causing a masive monopoly in the smartphone market.

 

[Stunning_Sense4712]

I hate snide-y remarks like those Google reps made. It’s petty and suggests an inferiority complex if they’re always comparing themselves to others.

Has Android finally got a decent kiosk mode like iOS has had for something like 10 years? I wouldn’t care to find out anyway, as the last Google phone I had, (the Nexus 5 IIRC) was dumped by Google just a year after release. Compared to Apple who keep products supported for usually 5 years at a minimum it was a real eye opener.

That is the biggest probelm with Google is them killing products and screwing over developers/consumers. That is one of the reason why I think Stadia ended up failing is everybody was to afriad to invest in the platforum with Google's history of just killing products. Here is the link to killed by Google. https://killedbygoogle.com/

 

[Stunning_Sense4712]

That thing is DOA. Guarantee it's gone in a year.

I doubt it since that might be the only decent android compatible watch.

 

[Stunning_Sense4712]

Siri used to be a lot worse until Apple hired away some of Google's talent. Noticed Apple recent events have included a lot of 'AI' and 'machine learning' buzzwords like Google's.

Siri is still hot garbage and that is why I still use Alexa devices.

 

[sdf]

Google's statements here make me no more likely to switch to Android.

Swing and a miss.

 

[Abazigal]

Don't rush to defend Apple. Can't deny that Google has a point.

And our beloved Apple is turning into a marketing company under our watch.

Above Avalon: Apple Is Pulling Away From the Competition

For the second year in a row, Apple held a developers conference that should frighten its competitors. Relying on a nearly maniacal obsession with the user experience, Apple is removing oxygen from every market that it plays in. At the same time, the tech landscape is riddled with increasingly bad b

www.aboveavalon.com

I am also reminded of this article, which while published two years ago, continues to be as true today.

Google continues to prioritize technology over design. While new software features may seem compelling on paper, the lack of attention given to the user experience quickly becomes apparent. It has also become difficult to miss the growing enthusiasm gap between Android and iOS. On the hardware front, Google is struggling to match such efforts with its ambient computing future (which doesn’t make much sense to me).

I think google (and by extension, their alphabet corporate structure) has issues, and taking jabs at the competition only goes so far.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

If Apple really followed Google’s lead all of Apple’s services would be discontinued by now…

Tbf quite a few of Apples services should be discontinuted

 

[Unregistered 4U]

That is the biggest probelm with Google is them killing products and screwing over developers/consumers. That is one of the reason why I think Stadia ended up failing is everybody was to afriad to invest in the platforum with Google's history of just killing products. Here is the link to killed by Google. https://killedbygoogle.com/

And, is very likely where Google RCS is headed. When they’re content to end very public properties like Stadia, one has to believe that there’s only months left in the “beg Apple to adopt our thing at every opportunity” business plan.

 

[usmaak]

You’re right, there’s not a Google Messages app because Google rolled Google Messages into their new Google Chat app (forgive me, with over 10 failed attempts at messaging, one forgets which one of Google’s messaging apps is current).


Here’s the thing, if they were offering something compelling, there’s nothing that could prevent Apple users from downloading it. The fact is, they’re not offering anything over and above what’s already available via many many different means, whether it’s WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal or anything else.


The US carriers (and you’re right, it doesn’t matter anywhere else because they’re already using WhatsApp or something else) support SMS. The US carriers do NOT support RCS. That’s the biggest difference between SMS/MMS and RCS. You’ll notice the US carriers don’t say they support RCS, they support Google RCS which is different.

Before getting my iPhone, I was using a Galaxy Note 20 on t-mobile with Google messages and RCS. It was actually pretty nice. I could tell when someone was responding and it was fast, very stable, and secure. I wish that Apple would use it as their way to get android messages instead of SMS because it is secure where SMS isn’t. Apple could still keep that ugly green bubble and they could still keep iMessage for those that want to use it.