A couple of days ago, I talked about how former Microsoft CEO and current LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer may not let his players use Apple products. Mr. Ballmer doesn’t evenlet his own family use them. Is this a sign of how competitive the technology giants are?
I came across an interesting interview with Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt. He believes the competition between Apple and Google is more intense than ever before, especially when it comes to the smartphone race. Apple has iOS and Google has Android Nexus. In Mr. Schmidt’s own words, “In fact I believe that this brutal competition between Apple and Google over Android and iOS has enormous benefits for consumers worldwide.” This competition has gone on for years. When Schmidt passed an Apple store with lines around the block, he verbally rubbed it in Samsung’s face. Back in 2010, Schmidt met with the late Apple founder Steve Jobs. Jobs called out Android/Google, claiming they were intellectually copying Apple. Of course, Schmidt insisted Android was built on their own intellect. Did you know Eric Schmidt used to work for Apple, but stepped down in 2007?? Now he’s chairman executive for the rival company.
Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t some bloody hip-hop rivalry. Both companies truly respect each other. In fact, Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt were actually friends. And the Google exec is right, this fierce, but respectable competition has been Good for business. It’s kept us wondering what the next smartphone is going to be. It’s kept prices reasonable (well, pretending on who you ask). And I like hearing a little trash talking between the two mega conglomerates. Competition is good for any free market enterprise and any capitalist society, and Google and Apple prove it. What I’d like to see is even more competition within the smartphone market. That would be really good for us consumers. Whose winning the fight between Google and Apple?