Google's Larry Page Claims Steve Jobs' War on Android Was 'For Show'

[MacRumors]

In a new interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page claims that Steve Jobs' war on Android was "for show", a move that served as a rallying point for Apple and its employees.

I think the Android differences were actually for show. I had a relationship with Steve. I wouldn't say I spent a lot of time with him over the years, but I saw him periodically. [...]

I think [the fury around Android] served their interests. For a lot of companies, it's useful for them to feel like they have an obvious competitor and to rally around that.

Page goes on to claim that he believes companies should not be looking at their competitors and instead should simply be doing their best to improve the world.

Jobs had mentored Page and Sergey Brin in Google's early days, and Jobs reportedly requested a meeting with Page last year after Page took over as CEO. According to Page, the two discussed the business of running a company during that amicable meeting. But Jobs made clear in his authorized biography that he intended to "destroy Android", threatening to wage "thermonuclear war" in an attempt to bring down what he viewed as a stolen mobile platform.

At least publicly, Page suggests that Jobs' position was somewhat more nuanced, with the two able to maintain a relationship while Jobs' anger toward Android included a bit of posturing to keep the rapidly-growing competitor at the forefront of Apple's attention.

Article Link: Google's Larry Page Claims Steve Jobs' War on Android Was 'For Show'

 

[pat park]

Yeah Larry, I don't think so...

 

[Delighted]

Steve hated Android with a fiery passion. That was NOT a show.

 

[Consultant]

Sure, Android's fragmentation is just "for show" too.

 

[djrod]

the Lawsuit Show indeed

 

[50548]

Sure Larry, sure...now if you could just lay off that crack pipe of yours...

If SJ were alive he would NEVER consider any kind of settlement with you thieves. Too bad Tim Cook is not as principled.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Clearly, Page, you didn't learn well enough from your mentor.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Well, only Steve knew the truth and took it to the grave.
I'm not sure if I would trust Larry Page on this one.
Actually, it may be like the Apple - Microsoft relationship of apparent Love and Hate, when they were actually very good friends.

Should we expect an Oscar nomination for S.J.?

 

[idkmybffjon]

yeah, it definitely was not because Google was on Apple's Board the entire time the iPhone was being developed.

 

[Bevz]

lol - seriously, LOL...
That's like someone robbing my house, then after i die saying "me and mike actually got on pretty well... That whole bit where he said he wanted to chop my nuts off and feed them to me... well, mike was like that, just a joker at heart"... Larry is a complete **** if i thinks anyone is going to do anything but LOL when they read this...

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

[url=http://cdn.macrumors.com/im/macrumorsthreadlogodarkd.png]Image[/url]


Page goes on to claim that he believes companies should not be looking at their competitors and instead should simply be doing their best to improve the world.

Image

Google+ Mr Page?
Pot --> Kettle --> black

 

[NakedSnake]

Pretty expensive marketing ploy, with some $500 million in legal fees, especially considering the effective audience it's reaching is minuscule compared to the number of people who own Android and Apple devices.

 

[Boisv]

Oh give it up Larry. You sound pathetic.

 

[Michael Scrip]

yeah, it definitely was not because Google was on Apple's Board the entire time the iPhone was being developed.

I often wonder about that...

You know how secretive Apple is with the public... does that secrecy extend to their Board Members?

Do they get to come down into the secret labs and get their hands on unreleased products?

Lots of Apple's Board Members are from other companies.. not just Eric Schmidt. I'm sure the Board is busy with lots of executive-level stuff... not exactly new products.

Steve knew Google bought Android in 2005... I'm pretty sure Steve never said "Hey Eric... look at this!"

Maybe we'll find out in Schmidt's biography.

 

[clawanhex]

Page goes on to claim that he believes companies should not be looking at their competitors and instead should simply be doing their best to improve the world.

Like, say, not changing your smartphone platform from a BlackBerry/Windows Mobile competitor to an iPhone competitor, just because the iPhone began gaining traction? Hey, wait a minute…

 

[Joe HS]

Oh Larry.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

How convenient that Larry Page attributes a statement to someone who passed away and cannot address the validity of Page's statement. It's also interesting that Page makes this remark when it has become painfully obvious that Google has no coherent strategy with regard to Android - especially tablets. Google is slapping Android on practically everything - next will be your refrigerator - yet there is very little revenue to be had with this approach compared with Apple's.

Yes, Larry, how low can you go?

 

[k2director]

I can't believe Page tries to say this crap with a straight face.

 

[cmvsm]

The Apple and Android logos side by side remind me of the comparison between OSX and Windows. One looks crisp, professional, and business like, where the other looks a bit childish and something you might find drawn in a 3rd grade art classroom.

 

[iPadCary]

I believe it.

That it's for show, I mean.

 

[charlieegan3]

too many larrys on this page.

not much of a news story really, what is this article going to change?

 

[scotty321]

Whatever helps you sleep at night, Larry. You jackass.

 

[fruitycups]

Wirelessly posted

What a load of bull

 

[AppleScruff1]

Sure Larry, sure...now if you could just lay off that crack pipe of yours...

If SJ were alive he would NEVER consider any kind of settlement with you thieves. Too bad Tim Cook is not as principled.

Tim Cook is a better businessman than Steve. He doesn't let emotion interfere with his decisions.

 

[Steveo13]

Notice he says "I think"

This guy's a joke.