Jumping over to read this now….
Reshared post from +Mike Elgan
Why Google is the new Apple.
Everyone seems confused about Google these days.
Disgruntled former Google executives, tech pundits, regulatory officials, the media and even the Google-using public are confused about Google's transformation since co-founder Larry Page took over as CEO a year ago.
Here's what's happening: Google is becoming more like Apple in three fundamental ways.
(And that’s a good thing.)
Please read my column!: http://www.datamation.com/feature/lets-face-it-google-is-the-new-apple-1.html
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very good article ! and explains a lot ! a must read
"(In fact, Google doesn’t learn more about users. It merely intends to apply personal data gathered on one service to increased relevance on the others.)" That choice, everything about me in one place, should be mine. If my results aren't as good, fine. I've always used Google because I like it as is. "Google is becoming more like Apple. And that’s a good thing." Not in this instance I'm afraid. I choose not to use Apple. I hope I don't have to make the same choice with Google.
I agree with the author's assessment in terms of Google moving in the direction where it is now more focus. However equating Google's strategy to Apple is a bit of a stretch. There are other better companies the author could compare it to, but certainly not Apple.
Google's philosophy is more about openness while everything about Apple is closed, total control, and monopoly. They control the software, the hardware, and the market. They will ban anything that is not in their favor. At one point any Apps mentioning the word "Android" were simply banned from their apps market.
Everything is also about money. You pay to publish apps on Apple's site. Google on the other hand is all about freedom, and openness. Any hardware manufacturers are free to use Google's Android. Sophisticated program like Google Earth, SketchUp, Picasa are free. So are their services like Google Navigation, Google Translate, Google Number, Google Voice, etc. are all free.
Apple on the other hand lock everything down, file a patent, and sue everyone else for something generic and trivial. Apple sued Microsoft when they came out with Windows in the late 80s. For what? For something generic like "look and feel" as if Apple was the one who invented the GUI (Graphical User Interface) windowing environment. They did not, Xerox did. They lost that in court. If Apple were to invent the automobile, the 4-wheel system will be patented. Any other cars with 4 wheels will be sued. There is simply no comparison between Google and Apple.