Google takes shots at Steve Jobs and Apple, forgets rubber and glue rule
Google used their Android 2.2 Froyo launch today to bring the fight squarely to Apple and Steve Jobs, saying in essence they created Android because they feared a future where one man (Steve Jobs) and one company (Apple) controlled the mobile space.
Now I'm not going to call that cake a lie (because it's technically a chilled desert this time), but let's be clear -- Google created Android because they feared any future where any company -- be it Apple, Microsoft, or some unforeseen upstart to lock them out of their cash-cow, advertising. (FYI - That's why Microsoft built Bing and why Apple is making iAds: so that one company -- Google -- doesn't control online advertising).
That's smart business. But to claim any form of benevolence or greater-than-thou community spirit is disingenuous-to-insulting. Google, like Apple or Adobe is as open as suits them and as proprietary as their revenue generation demands. As much as Apple controls the iPhone, as much as Adobe owns Flash, Google's crown jewel of advertising is theirs and theirs alone. AdWords isn't open source.
So they can make fun of Apple curating the App Store, or that at any one time any of a dozen high-end Androids can perform certain tasks well, or that they can put Flash on a phone but not Silverlight or ActiveX, or poke at iTunes not yet being cloud-based. But they can't and don't talk about the Android Market's enormous selection of keyboards, fess up to the battery problems as a platform issue, come to grips with the inconsistent user experience, deal with the reality that is recent devices have unclear and fragmented OS paths, and acknowledge those users burned severely by the still immature cloud who want local solution options as well.
Google pushed out a lot of tech this week. A scary, wonderful, crazy, beautiful amount of tech I don't think we've seen in such volume in such a short time before. It will be challenge enough for them to realize most of it, much less all of it. It's just plain gutsy.
Even gutsier was poking Apple before the much better spoken Steve Jobs takes the much bigger stage at WWDC 2010 to announce the much more attention getting 4th generation iPhone.
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, Executive Producer at Mobile Nations, co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH, cook, grappler, photon wrangler.
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Bring on the competition! It only makes the iPhone better!!!
Another Biased Rant.
Wow what a bunch of morons! Well some of you anyway. Lol first of you got android fanboys on a iPhone blog. Stupid tardboys. Second you have morons talking about cars on a iPhone ,iPad and iPod touch web blog. Again stupid tardboys. Third you have your usual trolls. Stupid troll tardboys. Fourth good post Rene. I have a strong feeling that there a lot more that's going to happen on June 7 then what we know. The hammer will come down.
Lollipop Jones = Rene Ritchie, Steve Jobs, or someone with no life whatsoever....
Lol this is amazing! Look how much hate there is in this article! Wow, you guys made my day!
Android is taking over, just deal with it.
@ mintoreo
This is not the first time on this website that you Have proven yourself retarded. Your ideas about cellphones are as missinformed as your information about cars. We all beg you, please stop talking out of your butt.
@ lollipop jones
your long winded comments are just fuelling his fire.
Is Android more open than iPhone? Probably. But what's the cost. I only found out last week that when you use their directions you basically sign on to being tracked by Google. Don't Be Evil - yeah, right. Google speaks like Elsworth Toohey and is more like the commercial division of the NSA. Only a fool would take them seriously.
You're missing the flipside of the equation. Google created Android in order to provide a platform for their services in case Apple and Microsoft locked them out of their respective platforms. This was smart because Apple and Microsoft did just that. HOWEVER, even if this was one reason they created their own platform, they are still being open because they are not locking out anyone else.
Having options for the keyboard is a benefit, complaining about that is just petty.
Saying that they have to "come to grips with" or "deal with the reality that is" issues that are vague and relative non-issues is likewise splitting hairs and not related to the original topic.
The thing with putting out a bunch of tech is that you can see what sticks and what doesn't. It's nice to give the consumers a variety of choices from the get-go. Apple puts out one phone per year and if you don’t like it that’s too bad. This caused them to stay behind the game for quite a while technology-wise. The original iPhone came out with no GPS, 3G, or installable applications when phones that year came with all of that. It’s not as if the tech was too advanced to be included. Apple still has enjoyed great sales, but the iPhone was never something I considered before the 3GS due to how far behind it constantly was hardware-wise. I am sure you’ve bought every iPhone on release day, so you are blind to those factors beyond the fruit logo on the back which others take into account when buying a phone.
@The_Reptile
In case you didn't notice, but the built in search bar in Safari is Google, the built in Maps app is Google, and support for Gmail is built in to Mail. Google gets plenty of data from iPhone users as well.
@Triangleman
True on Safari and Maps. They're legacy when Schmidt was on the board. No telling when Apple will end this. As far as using them is concerned one can find alternatives that work well and not use Google. I have both Bing and Cuil apps for search. For maps, I have Mapquest and driving directions I have a lot of choices. Which brings me to Gmail. It's only one option of many and wasn't push until very recently. Yahoo! was Apple's choice out of the gate and happens to be the email I use. So, it's interesting in answering your post I also negated Google's argument that that Apple is closed. It seems to me that there are plenty of choices if one has a desire to use something other than what comes preinstalled.
iDavey, Can you provide any proof that there is a GUARANTEE that all android devices released in the last 12 months WILL get upgraded to 2.2? got any proof to back that up? I didn't think so...
This post is garbage. I like the discussion it started and some of the comments though, it's good to see some intelligent comments out there.
I'm getting really sick of these stories though. The authors on this site are looking more and more lazy. I'll be over at Tech Crunch for a while getting some real news.
"Mayday, Mayday...We are loosing height!"
"Who's there? Apple?"
@The_Reptile
Good points, and of course there are alternative options on the app store. I do happen to like the setup of the Bing app myself, and the maps look much smoother than Google's. Voice search built in is nice too, comparable to Android's built in voice search.
The difference with the definition of "open" is that while Apple does have plenty of alternative app options, they still only exist at Apple's discretion in the app store. Also the lack of customization in the iPhone limits user freedom. For example, addresses are automatically linked to the Google Maps app in the iPhone. You cannot redirect that to another app such as Bing. I am sure such a thing is at least 'possible' on Android, if it hasn't been done yet.
It is the same with Safari's search bar. I think a better option would be for Apple to allow users to change the search site, at least to a few other sites such as Yahoo and Bing if they don't make it fully customizable by URL.
Inconsistent user experience in Android? How about taking video on the 3G? MMS on original iPhone? How about all those people locked into another year of contract (at least) on a 3G who might want to multitask? I love technology, therefore I commonly visit several tech blogs dealing with iPhone and Android. I find this article to be full of BS, and some of the comments the same. Funny, people complain about Google gathering information about the people that use its (FREE) services, who has ever been harmed for this? I actually think that it's intuitive to be able to search for restaurants and find one that's actually near me, read user reviews and make MY decision based on that. They don't solicit me unless I REQUEST information. Funny, who wrote the original Maps for the the iPhone platform? Ultimately, its going to be an exciting 2nd half of 2010 and we will ALL benefit from the competition. Embrace it already.
All the clowns complaining about Apple bias need to STFU! This is the iPhone/iPad blog, what the hell did you think you where going to find here, Android bias?!
LOL @ Dragonfly...I agree COMPLETELY. Its like going to a NASCAR blog site saying its the most boring "sport" in the world...obviously people on that site love it, so your wasting your breath. Sometimes commons sense isn't too common.
@Drafonfly and Jordan: Excellent points!
I'm now an iPhone user coming from a Blackberry and before that, Windows Mobile. So I've been to all the major blogs that accompany the brand/software. Guess what people? Android blogs are biased to ANDROID! Windows Mobile blogs are biased to WINDOWS MOBILE! And Blackberry blogs are biased to what? BLACKBERRY! Yes TiPb is biased towards Apple products. Geez, what a surprise...
It's not as much as the complaints from the users, it is how the editor wrote a very unprofessional rant in his articale. I visit numerous tech sites and when visiting sites like crackberry.com, androidcentral or precentral the editors may disagree with a staement or inform its users of a remark another company has said about the product they use but never have I seen where when ever a product from blackberry or android has ben put down and the editor has to always rant about it in an article. That is why a lot of people are commenting.
I agree with Charles. Has anyone ever watched the Crackberry videos where they "nicely" compare Blackberries with other devices? It's collaborative; it's respectful; and, it's insightful. This rant from this editor, on the other hand, seethes with jealousy and bitterness.
wow nerd rage much rene?
yep, rene ritchie is a big apple-fanboy and speaks badly about any competition like google, adobe, flash, android etc or which doesn't reflect apple's philosophy..... maybe his aiming for apple's techblog of the year or something like that ^^
I have both and iPhone 3GS and the HTC Incredible. I barely touch the Incredible because, as stated before, the apps suck. I think anyone who touts the Android platform over the iPhone has never really owned an iPhone. Played with one maybe, but not truly owned and used it on a day to day basis. I have not had ONE application that I've either gotten for free or paid for that I'd take over the iPhone equivalent. I hear the trolls talking about what crap apps the iPhone has but I've never seen more trash in an apps store as I have the Android Marketplace. They seem more comparable to those I had on my Moto Razor.
I would be all over Android if the apps were decent but most of you haters don't know the difference because many of you are coming off of the Blackberry and dumbphone/featurephone platforms. I see a VERY small percentage of iPhone users switching unless it's for the VZW network.
Google actually purchased Android, didn't they? They just folded it under their "We're so open! Don't be evil!" umbrella. This GoogleTV thing looks like a completely useless Google service.. something that most people won't use and won't care about, like most of the other Google services. They're pulling out what is basically vaporware while making public digs at Apple. Not evil, but pretty immature, to say the least. Most people won't think twice about what was said at Google I/O (if they even know it happened) but they will definitely know about Apple's announcements at WWDC... hoping there are any.
Johnsen says: May 21, 2010 at 4:16 pm yep, rene ritchie is a big apple-fanboy and speaks badly about any competition like google, adobe, flash, android etc or which doesn’t reflect apple’s philosophy….. maybe his aiming for apple’s techblog of the year or something like that ^^
Are you trolls really so stupid as to not realize that you are on a blog site dedicated to the IPHONE? Have you even HEARD of AndroidCentral? Go play in the that sandbox if you want to blow Google.
The interesting thing to me is that the open sourced tools that Google touted on the first day is open which means that if it is truly good all platforms including Apple will adopt it. You see what you sheep don't realize is that Google is feeding off of you. Sort of like giving monkeys toys an games before they experiment on them.
Believe me it's coming. Web apps that have direct control of your machine? as in the central functions of it. As in net neutrality that is enforced on your device where all your stuff is. Web Apps that can utilize the GPU to play 3D games(Food), So they can access your demographics, browsing profiles, as well as such precise metrics as how many times you turn your computer on and off. For guys who still enjoy privacy this is the scariest thing ever and they are like the Android and Google fan boys like to point out taking over the World.
Crikey rene. Keep sucking jobs cock this much and you will get lock-jaw!
@homer...i (still) own an iphone myself, so where's the deal. That doesn't mean that i say "iphone is the best fu** the rest". And nothing to do with Google, it's about iphone&competition, what's good, what's bad, what has a better future etc., what could apple do better, or are you or a fanboy which is 100% satisfied with the iphone...Guess Not! But i don't mind any fanboys, i wouldn't enjoy this tech-blog without them ^^
@thedave: You keep doing the same to Google while they whore out your info to anyone willing to pay.
....and i forgot
GO ANDROID GO!
HAHA...hilarious message board, @thedave provies it again.
@Johnsen: I don't believe that Rene or any other official contributor to this site has said that the iPhone is perfect and we like it just the way it is. The iPhone has come under fire by Google and it's not being a fanboy to point out some of the hypocrisy of Googles statements.
Rene is an editorialist and as such, has the liberty of writing opinion pieces.
and these quotes from androidcentral are pretty nice...
"From my perspective, we're lovers, not fighters. So it's hard to describe it as a war. And you know the lover's munition? Open source." (Andy Rubin,Google)
"The iPhone woke up a lot of people, but it's not what keeps them up at night any more." (Androidcentral.com)
http://www.androidcentral.com/comparing-android-iphone-mac-pc-wars-were-lovers-not-fighters
Get over it, android has passed the iPhone so get over yourself.
Battery problems? Umm. Nope. Sure people complain that their battery only lasts 7 to 8 hours, that's what happens when you are on the phone more than your desktop or laptop. Not for nothing but all you can get out of an iPhone is about 7 - 8 hours of heavy use too. Let's see what else... Fragmentation and user experience. The user experience doesn't HAVE to be uniform. Each user has the ability to select a device which has a form factor AND version of Android they wish. Also, please take note that Android 2.1 will be on pretty much EVERY device out right now by years end.
As for Android 2.2 (FroYo) and Android X.X (Gingerbread) they will be relegated to the higher end of the device spectrum when being pushed by the carriers/manufacturers. That doesn't stop either from being put on rooted devices. A good example is the G1 running Android 2.1 BEAUTIFULLY. So that argument for the most part is null and moot as well.
I used to have a 3gs and I loved it but I hated ATT so I went to Verizon and got the incredible and all I can say is wow, the 3gs feel slow. And when they showed froyo smoking the iPad I was sold again.
Rene shows his colors in these Android threads.. lol..
Google is not OPEN .. but ANDROID is ..
the debate is between Android and Iphone OS ...
The point Google is trying to make is that they support an Open platform..
But of course the more Open the internet is .. the more it benefits Google..
Rene, you are such a facking nimrod get a life!
Actually Google didn't create Android, they bought it.
I just can't get my head around this, this is an iPhone enthusiast site, WTF are all you Android fanboys dong here?! Crawl back under the bridges you came from you retarded trolls.
This site is part of a collection of smartphone sites that link to each other and share their editorial talent. What's posted here isn't posted in some iPhone vaacum not likely to be seen by users of other smartphones. The thing about it though is thatbi done see this type of contempt towards competition on the other smartphone expert sites. They tend to focus mainly on the positives aNd negatives of there own platforms relative to others and give credit where credit is due. Both Rene and Chad spend a lot of time bashing other phones or defending Apple. Rene more defending than bashing, Chad is just off the meter with both. It's really unbecoming unprofessional. I'm a Android user but have three iPod Touches and a iPad. I really don't care much for the bashing and defending.
WebOS far surpases both Android and the iPhone... As soon as the new palm phone comes out it'll be heads above the rest. I just solved this debate. WebOS and Palm beat both Android and the iPhone. So there.
WebOS far surpases both Android and the iPhone... As soon as the new palm phone comes out it'll be heads above the rest. I just solved this debate. WebOS and Palm beat both Android and the iPhone. So there. You're welcome.
Thank you freaknasty, gosh I hate saying your name lol. People who are ignorant like dragonfly do not understand is that all of these sites are connected and people who are into all technology and who are not closed minded we tend to visit each one gathering information.
When most of us who have some sense come to this site and we see nothing but unprofessional rants as articles a question mark pops up. Visit crackberry and you will see well written articles informing their users. You come here and you see a so called writer who when seeing the competition doing something good will find a way to bash it. I think Rene fits well with the Xbox live community. If you have been on Xbox live you will agree with me.
@ Charles, I'm far from ignorant. I'm very happy with my iPhone, and therefore, content and secure with my purchase. I don't feel the need to troll other platform blogs (Blackberry, WebOS, Windows Phone 7 and Android) championing the iPhone. Unlike some people around here.
Well I do not go around trolling, I actually own 4 different OS so I visit each one seeing what is new for each OS I have. Problem some of us have is that when coming here to get info on whats new, we find the editors ranting rather than bringing us the news. Sorry if I called you ignorant but it upsets me when people think just because this is an iPhone website it is only for iPhone users to read. Granted I have one I still think it is ok to see what other OS offer because you may find it is something you might enjoy.
Wow. Vitrol, banter, philosophy, and tech all being discussed at the same time.
I think this thread highlights how big the stakes are in the mobile space.
The editor could have couched the main points of his article with better language to soften his opinion, but that would defeat the whole point of an editorial article. No writer is perfect.
Fwiw I'm a longtime phone geek that started out with Symbian, moved through the WM dark ages, dabbled with Maemo (WTF is that :p) experienced the iPhone age, and now am back in the Symbian fold with a side of iPad.
The point is that most of us arguing back and forth on all these different sites represent a small portion of the population. The average user doesn't care about most of the details that irk us. They just want something that works for them whether it ends up being the software or network. So that is what the user will use to decide. So in the end I think both OS platforms will do well.
On a side note I think the work Google has done is great, but it doesn't work for everyone. Their overriding goal is to be profitable enough to continue to fund all their initiatives. Android is a way for them to keep that advertising edge. For them, information is truly power and bucketloads of money as well. The earlier analogy of how they take the shotgun approach to platform development is very accurate.
Apple and the products they produce are a reflection of the singular and tightly managed vision of its founder(s). The people hired need to fit and believe that as well. Yes to some that is cult like, but any successful business, team, or group needs that. It's the only way you get commitment.
So Apple's products are designed to served the needs of people who share a similar vision or situation in life as Jobs. So those products will always be polarizing and very specific in nature. It may not be optimal, but it works because you are familar with it.
For me, I love technology. So I am glad there is more competition out there. I think Android and all the OEM phone companies encourges Apple to design better software AND hardware.
want to know what I love doing?
I love reading through all The comments on Apps in The market from my nexus one and reading all the "crashes " , "doesn't work ", and "developer lied" comments.
if any of you brain washed android fans dispute this You're lieng period.
I'm seeing it first hand. front and center.
I think you meant "chilled dessert", not "chilled desert".
Re: "But to claim any form of benevolence or greater-than-thou community spirit is disingenuous-to-insulting."
Funny you say that considering two seconds earlier you claim that Apple created iads so google wouldn't control the advertising market. Let's make this clear. Apple created iads so they could cash in on a business that google made viable, and not for any other reason.
Adjust your Facebook profile to ensure that strangers cannot get telephone numbers, photos and e-mail addresses.
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