Google VS Apple
| 22 February 2010
Google and Apple had been the closest of partners, until recently!. The alliance made sense, though: both companies believed they had a common enemy in Microsoft, both organisations were/are technology’s star players who brought a coolness to their work not seen since Sony’s Walkman days, and both had markets big enough that they could conquer without getting in each other’s way.
CROSSING THE LINE
All was well until Google announced Android, the smartphone operating system designed to compete with Apple’s iPhone. This did not sit well with Steve Jobs and co. Then, as Android grew in stature, the search giant pulled the curtains back on Google Chrome, a web browser that would compete directly with Apple’s Safari. In the wake of the web browser, Google unveiled Chrome OS, an operating system designed to compete with Microsoft, but which hasemerged as the software that powers tablets set to compete with the iPad.
RETALIATING
Apple, unsurprisingly unhappy with Google’s offensive, set to defend themselves as well as launch a counterattack. Apple motioned to reject Google Voice, an application they statedduplicated the core iPhone functionality. What was actually the case was that Apple feared Google had too big a presence on its phone platform. This led to an FCC investigation regarding anti-competitive practices and Eric Schmidt, Google’s CEO, stepped down from Apple’s board because the two companies were competing too closely in the mobile space. Apple then purchased Quattro, a mobile advertising business, in a direct offensive in a space Google all but dominates. And so the standoff began.
HERE WE STAND
It looks as if things won’t subside, either. At a town hall-style company meeting, Steve Jobs said a few choice words about Google, essentially claiming the search company had come into their space, and not the other way around.
Between Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS, Android, iPhone and Quattro, Apple and Google’s relationship has reached, if not already passed, breaking point.